If you are aiming to make a fortune in your career, this must be considered: investment banking is one of the most lucrative and most respected professions. However, getting into this highly competitive profession is no cakewalk: it requires detailed knowledge, practical skills, and the sharpest acumen in financial problem-solving.
That’s why so many students and professionals take it upon themselves to enroll in highly rated investment banking courses. The aim is to instil into you real-life expertise in such practice-oriented topics as financial markets, company valuation, and financial modeling.
The best investment banking courses provide comprehensive coverage of critical topics such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), initial public offerings (IPOs), leveraged buyouts (LBOs), and capital markets. They also strengthen your proficiency in Excel for financial analysis—an essential tool for any analyst.
Apart from this, most of the courses provide industry-recognized certifications that can prove to be a plus point in the resume and help with getting a job. Some also provide placement assistance that can help you launch your career in investment banking with confidence.
Why Should You Take an Investment Banking Course?
Before we list the best courses, let’s understand why investment banking courses are important. Even if you have a finance degree, it is not always enough. Investment banking jobs need practical knowledge. They need skills that many colleges don’t teach. That’s where specialized courses help.
Investment banking courses focus on the tools and techniques used in real banking jobs. You will learn to analyze financial statements, use Excel for forecasting and budgeting, and value companies accurately.
- Financial modeling in Excel: Learn how to build income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
- Company valuation methods: Understand DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) and comparables (PE ratio, EV/EBITDA).
- M&A deal structure: Learn how companies merge or acquire others, and what makes a deal profitable.
- LBO techniques: Get hands-on practice in structuring leveraged buyouts.
- Pitch book and presentation design: Learn how to create professional slides used in investor meetings.
You also get to practice with real-life case studies and receive interview training to boost your job chances.
Best Investment Banking Courses in India
The programs include theoretical as well as practical training, which would prepare the students for taking on investment banking-related courses in India. The best institutions and professionals from the industry have developed these programs. Their price and flexibility would be affordable and practical. So whether you are a student or a working professional, this course caters to both.
IIM SKILLS: Certified Investment Banking Course
Learn to become one of the great investment banking professionals. With all unique methods of transferring knowledge, IIM SKILLS provides the best-programmed courses that prepare students for the real-world scenario of investment banking. The key features are:
- 70+ hours of live online training: Delivered by experienced professionals from top finance firms.
- 100+ hours of practical tasks: Includes real case studies, assignments, and financial modeling.
- Tools like Excel and PowerPoint: Learn how to use these tools like a real banker.
- Lifetime course access: You can revisit the materials anytime.
- Placement support: Get help with interviews, resume writing, and job referrals.
This course is perfect for beginners, undergraduates, and career switchers. No finance background is needed to enroll.
Plutus Education: Diploma in Investment Banking and Operations (DIBO)
Plutus Education offers a Diploma in Investment Banking and Operations (DIBO) that focuses on both front-end investment banking and back-end trade operations. This course is well-known for its 100% job assurance and affordable pricing. Advantages of this course:
- Industry-focused curriculum: Developed by experts to meet global investment banking standards.
- Skills-based training: Covers trade operations, compliance, client servicing, and KYC norms.
- Live classes and mentorship: Learn directly from bankers and industry leaders.
- High demand: Over 11,600+ job openings exist for these roles in India.
- Great salary potential: Graduates can earn starting packages of ₹6.5 LPA.
Plutus education is a boon for those making students job-worthy through practical learning, contemporary resources, and interview preparation. Whether it be for B.Com, BBA, MBA, or the working professional, this will suit one and all.
BSE Institute: Certificate in Investment Banking Operations
Offered by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), this course is designed for those who want to understand the behind-the-scenes activities in banking. It covers the following topics:
- Financial instruments: Understand equities, bonds, and derivatives.
- Regulatory frameworks: Learn about SEBI, RBI rules, and compliance.
- Trade life cycles: Know how transactions flow from execution to settlement.
- Market infrastructure: Explore stock exchanges, clearinghouses, and depositories.
It suits students who want to work in roles like trade support, reconciliation, or regulatory reporting.
NSE Academy: Investment Banking Certification
NSE Academy offers a short but impactful course. It’s ideal for those who want to get a quick overview of the industry or boost their current knowledge. You will learn the following:
- M&A processes: Steps involved in merger deals.
- Valuation techniques: How to assess a company worth using practical models.
- Excel modeling: Use spreadsheets to build forecasts and track performance.
- Market exposure: Learn about both Indian and global capital markets.
Top International Investment Banking Courses
If you want a job at a global investment bank or plan to work overseas, then international courses are worth exploring. These programs offer content that matches Wall Street standards. They are created by ex-bankers and trainers from top firms. Some also include simulations and networking.
Wall Street Prep: Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst
Wall Street Prep is famous for its training programs used by top investment banks. You will learn the following:
- 40+ hours of video training: Self-paced lessons from experienced professionals.
- DCF, M&A, and LBO modeling: Build and audit complex models used in deal-making.
- Excel and PowerPoint skills: Professional-grade formatting, formulas, and financial storytelling.
- Real case studies: Practice using data from companies like Apple or Amazon.
- Industry-recognized certification: Boost your LinkedIn and resume.
Breaking Into Wall Street (BIWS)
BIWS is great for learners who want clear, simple instructions with lots of support materials. It includes the following topics:
- Advanced Excel skills: Become fast and accurate in modeling.
- Valuation methods: Learn when to use DCF, comps, and precedent transactions.
- Recruitment help: Get resume templates, interview guides, and mock questions.
Perfect for MBA students, analysts, and career changers.
Financial Edge: The Investment Banker Micro-Degree
This course is trusted by big names like JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. It covers real-world investment banking skills like financial modeling, valuation, and Excel proficiency. Completing it can boost your resume and prepare you for top-tier banking interviews. Key things you learn:
- Finance and accounting basics: Master balance sheets, P&L, and ratios.
- Real-world case studies: Study actual banking deals and write reports.
- Interactive tests: Check your skills with simulations and timed exercises.
- Professional pitch decks: Learn how to create investor presentations.
How to Choose the Right Course?
Choosing the right course can be hard with so many options. You need to look at your career goals, background, and learning style. Some courses are better for beginners, while others suit working professionals. Make sure to choose one that gives you hands-on practice and support.
- Course content: Choose programs with modeling, valuation, and M&A.
- Certification: Make sure the certificate has industry value.
- Support services: Look for resume building and placement help.
- Student feedback: Read online reviews and testimonials.
- Flexibility and cost: Pick what suits your schedule and budget.
Check free demos or previews before you enroll. A good course should give lifetime access or at least 6 months of content access.
Best Investment Banking Courses FAQs
Q1: Which is the best investment banking course for beginners?
Courses by IIM SKILLS and Plutus Education are ideal starting points.
Q2: How much do these courses cost?
Fees range from Rs. 1,000 on Udemy to Rs. 1,00,000+ for Wall Street Prep or BIWS.
Q3: Can I get a job after these courses?
Yes. Courses with hands-on training and placement help improve your chances.
Q4: Are online courses as good as offline ones?
Yes. Online programs offer flexibility and are just as effective if they are well-structured.
Q5: Can commerce students take these courses?
Yes. B.Com, BBA, and MBA students benefit the most from these practical programs.