The main aim of this module is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the private equity approach and the hedge fund industry. Both industries have experienced very significant growth in recent years and play an increasingly prominent role in financial markets, as well as in the financing and operational activities of companies. The underlying philosophy of the module is to highlight and examine the distinctive features and mechanisms of these key market participants by comparing them with other types of investors and with the conventional corporate finance approach, thereby developing a more structured perspective on their role within the broader financial system.
- Understand the main structure of private equity and hedge funds
- Better understand the private equity cycle (consisting of selecting, financing, nurturing firms, and finally exiting)
- Capture the particular approach of private equity firms as active investors
- Understand the corporate governance approach of private equity firms
- Understand their choice of financial securities as well as of contract design
- Investigate the different strategies of hedge funds and their average performance
- Discuss the „locust“ accusation
This course is part of the prestigious part-time Master in Finance program, conducted in English on Fridays and Saturdays on Campus Westend. It offers a valuable opportunity to network and gain expertise without committing to a full degree program. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Participation. As the number of seats is limited, we recommend to register early. If you're a GBS or Goethe University alum, explore our attractive alumni discount options.
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Prof. Dr. Uwe Walz
Prof. Dr. Uwe Walz holds the Chair of Industrial Organization at Goethe University and is Co-Director of the PhD Program in Economics. He is a founding director of the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE and a research professor at ZEW. His research focuses on private equity, entrepreneurial finance, and contract theory, with publications in leading academic journals. He has received multiple GBS Excellence in Teaching awards and is a member of the Frankfurt Institute for Risk Management and Regulation (FIRM).
Candidates with an undergraduate degree (i.e., bachelor or equivalent) of 180 credit points (CP) based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) can apply for our Open Programs. The allocation of credit points for work experience will appear on the Academic Transcript of Records and be titled ‘Prior Learning Assessment’.
Open Program applicants must submit a recent proof of English language proficiency at the higher B2 level per the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The GBS Office of Admissions will accept test results of the following tests, taken no longer than two years ago upon the date of submission:
- TOEFL iBT®
- TOEFL iBT® Home Edition
- IELTS
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- English Language Level Test (ELLT) - Oxford International Digital Institute
Applicants may request a waiver of proof of proficiency in English in case one of the following conditions applies. The applicant
- is a native speaker of English;
- has graduated from an international baccalaureate program
- has completed their undergraduate or master-level studies in a program taught entirely in English;
- has worked in an English-speaking country for at least one year.
If the applicant has not taken any of the above tests when submitting the application, the applicant can upload a confirmation of the test registration to the online admissions portal.
Applicants who submit a language certificate older than two years but without an expiry date will be invited for an additional interview with a native speaker of English.
Proof of relevant post-undergraduate work experience of at least one year is to be submitted, e.g., a performance review, reference letter, or written confirmation from your employer.