Investment banking is one of the most exciting and fast-paced fields in finance. It offers career opportunities characterized by high growth, global exposure, and many rewards in the form of pay. Hence, if one is aiming to set foot in this competitive field, proper training and extensive knowledge about the industry coupled with its working are a must.
That’s where the importance of a well-structured investment banking syllabus comes in. A good investment banking course doesn’t just teach you finance—it prepares you for real work inside investment banks. From learning how companies raise money to building financial models, handling mergers, and using banking tools like Bloomberg or Excel, every part of the syllabus matters. Whether you’re a student from a commerce background, an engineering graduate, or even a working professional looking to shift careers, you can build a strong foundation through the right investment banking program.
What is Investment Banking?
Investment banking is a special area in finance where banks and financial firms help big companies raise money, handle mergers, and manage investments. These banks do not take customer deposits like regular banks. Instead, they work with businesses, governments, and large investors.
In India, investment banking is growing fast due to global business expansion, startup culture, and increasing mergers and acquisitions. Investment bankers advise companies on big deals and help them make the right financial choices. Listing on the stock markets (IPOs) is another task that these banks do along with debt financing and corporate restructuring.
Key functions of investment banking:
-Raise capital through debt and equity.
-Facilitate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for clients.
-Underwrite IPOs.
-Provide financial and strategic advice.
-Manage investments and portfolios for large clients.
Investment bankers often work long hours, but the job is high-paying and respected. Strong analytical, communication, and financial modeling skills are a must. You need proper training and a structured course to build these skills. That’s why investment banking courses are now in high demand in India.
What is Investment Banking Course?
An investment banking course teaches you all the required skills to work as an investment banker. It covers financial topics, technical tools, communication skills, and practical projects. The course helps you understand how to value companies, manage big deals, and work with clients.
The course usually includes both theory and practical learning. It uses real-world case studies, industry tools like Excel and PowerPoint, and live projects. Some institutes even offer placements and internships. The course also builds your confidence and soft skills through interview training and communication workshops.Some important learning outcomes from this course:
- Understand how investment banks work
- Learn financial statement analysis
- Build financial models from scratch
- Handle merger and acquisition deals
- Practice pitching ideas and presenting data
- Learn Excel, PowerPoint, and financial software
The course usually takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the institute. It may also include weekend or online options for working professionals.
Investment Banking Course Syllabus
The investment banking course syllabus covers all the essential topics and skills needed to succeed in this field. It is designed to take you from basic finance concepts to advanced skills like financial modeling, mergers and acquisitions, and global banking tools.
There are many institutes offering investment banking courses, and each institute has a different course-specific syllabus. At Plutus Education, we provide a comprehensive 8-module syllabus covering all the important topics.
Module 1: Foundations of Finance & Banking (3 Credits)
This starting module builds the core financial knowledge you need. It introduces how financial systems work in India and globally.
You learn how banks operate, the role of regulators like RBI and SEBI, and how capital markets function. It also explains basic financial instruments like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and derivatives. Key Learning Areas:
- Introduction to financial markets and institutions
- Types of banking systems
- Financial instruments and products
- Overview of capital markets and money markets
- Basics of equity and debt
This module helps you speak the language of finance. It creates the base for advanced topics in the upcoming modules.
Module 2: Core Investment Banking & Products (6 Credits)
Having touched on the basics, this module looks to bring you into the investment banking world. It starts to explain the day-to-day activities, services, and departments forming an investment bank, including the capital raising, trading, advisory services, and structuring of deals.What You’ll Learn:
- Structure and functions of investment banks
- Equity and debt offerings
- Derivatives and structured products
- Trade lifecycle and settlement process
- Role of different teams (ECM, DCM, M&A)
By the end of this module, you will clearly understand how deals happen inside investment banks and what products they use to meet client goals.
Module 3: Valuation & Financial Modelling (6 Credits)
This module is the centerpiece of the DIBO course and will train you to value companies and build the financial models using Excel and financial data.
You will learn to forecast cash flows, determine company value, and assess similar companies. All fundamental competencies if you want to pursue research, M&A, or private equity kind of roles. Tools and Topics Covered:
- Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis
- Comparable company analysis
- Precedent transactions
- Excel-based financial modeling
- Forecasting income, balance sheet, and cash flows
You don’t just learn theory—you build real models from scratch, just like investment bankers do in top firms.
Module 4: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) (6 Credits)
This module trains you to handle large deals between companies—like when one company buys another or merges to grow.
You understand how M&A deals are structured, what legal steps are required, and how to measure deal success. Main Topics Include:
- Types of M&A (friendly vs. hostile)
- Due diligence and regulatory steps
- Deal financing and valuation in M&A
- Post-merger integration strategies
- Risk and synergy analysis
With real-life examples and case studies, this module shows you how big corporate deals work in India and globally.
Module 5: Choose Your Specialisation (9 Credits)
In this module, you select your specialization. This allows you to go deep into one area of investment banking operations based on your interest. Plutus Education may offer different paths, such as:
- Trade Support
- Risk & Compliance
- Asset Servicing
- Client Onboarding & KYC
- Settlements & Reconciliation
You get focused training and personalized mentorship to build advanced skills in your chosen area. This helps you stand out in job interviews.
Module 6: The Professional Technology Toolkit (9 Credits)
Modern investment banking runs on tech. This module trains you in the top tools used in global finance. Software & Tools Covered:
- Advanced Excel
- Power BI for dashboards
- Bloomberg Terminal
- Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters)
- SQL basics for data queries
These tools are used by actual bankers. This module gives you a tech edge and improves your problem-solving and data skills.
Module 7: Career Transformation & Soft Skills (2 Credits)
No matter how good your technical skills are, you must also know how to speak, present, and work in teams. This module builds your personality and confidence.
- Public speaking and presentations
- Email writing and business communication
- Resume building
- Group discussions and mock interviews
- Corporate grooming and workplace etiquette
This training prepares you for placements and real-world office life.
Module 8: The Capstone Project
This final module brings everything together. You work on a live investment banking project, just like you would on the job.
You build financial models, write reports, create presentations, and pitch your ideas. The project is reviewed by experts.
It’s not just a project—it becomes part of your portfolio for job applications and interviews.
Investment Banking Course Duration
The average investment banking course duration is 3 to 6 months. It depends on your choice of full-time, part-time, or weekend batch.Online courses take about 3 months. Classroom or hybrid courses may go up to 6 months. Institutes may also offer internship or placement assistance during or after the course.Choose a course duration based on your learning speed, time availability, and career needs.
Diploma in Investment Banking Operations ( DIBO) by Plutus Education is an online certification for 9 months.
Investment Banking Key Skills
To build a successful career in investment banking, you need more than just textbook knowledge. Investment banking is a fast-paced and demanding field. You must think quickly, solve problems, work with numbers, and communicate clearly. The investment banking key skills you develop during the course play a big role in shaping your future in this industry.
Whether you’re working in mergers and acquisitions, equity research, or client operations, you will deal with high-pressure tasks, large financial data, and global clients. That’s why investment banks prefer candidates who are trained in both technical and soft skills.
Top Technical Skills You’ll Need
- Financial Modeling: Building detailed financial models in Excel to analyze company performance and forecast future growth.
- Valuation Techniques: Understanding how to value businesses using methods like DCF, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions.
- Advanced Excel Skills: Using formulas, pivot tables, and financial templates to manage and analyze big data.
- Market Research and Analysis: Studying trends, industries, and companies to support investment decisions.
- Knowledge of Financial Products: Understanding equity, debt, derivatives, mutual funds, and structured products.
- Familiarity with Tools: Working with Bloomberg Terminal, Power BI, Refinitiv, and SQL for data analysis and reporting.
Soft Skills That Make You Stand Out
- Communication Skills: Writing clear emails, reports, and giving professional presentations.
- Problem-Solving Ability: Analyzing complex data and offering logical financial solutions.
- Attention to Detail: Catching small errors in financial statements or transaction reports.
- Time Management: Meeting tight deadlines, managing multiple tasks, and working efficiently.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Working smoothly with cross-functional teams in high-pressure environments.
- Adaptability: Being open to feedback, learning new tools, and adjusting to changing client needs.
These skills are not just useful during your course—they are essential for day-to-day roles in investment banking operations, mergers and acquisitions, trading desks, risk management, and beyond.
Investment Banking Career Opportunities
Investment banking offers a wide range of exciting and high-paying career paths. After completing a professional course like the DIBO program from Plutus Education, you become eligible for several entry-level and mid-level roles in the finance industry. The skills you learn in valuation, financial modeling, M&A, and technology tools prepare you for real jobs in global banks, financial institutions, and consulting firms.
Investment banking is not just one job—it includes many areas like client services, risk management, research, trade support, and operations. Let’s take a look at some of the top career opportunities available after completing an investment banking course.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst is responsible for studying company performance, building financial models, and preparing reports for senior bankers or clients. Analysts work with large data sets to find insights that support business decisions. In this role, you will:
- Forecast company growth and revenue
- Analyze industry trends
- Prepare Excel-based financial models
- Support M&A and funding deals
This is one of the most common and high-demand entry-level roles in investment banking.
Investment Banking Operations Analyst
Operations analysts work on the back-end processes that keep the bank running smoothly. They handle settlements, trade confirmations, compliance checks, and account reconciliations. As an Operations Analyst, you will:
- Process and confirm financial transactions
- Work with internal teams to fix trade breaks
- Ensure compliance with banking rules
- Communicate with global clients and partners
This role is ideal if you enjoy working with systems, processes, and financial data management.
Equity Research Associate
Equity Research professionals track the stock market and study the performance of companies. They publish reports and give buy/sell recommendations to investors or internal teams. Your job as an Equity Research Associate will include:
- Analyzing financial statements
- Building valuation models
- Writing detailed research reports
- Giving investment suggestions based on data
This role combines analytical thinking with clear communication and is perfect for students who enjoy market trends and stock analysis.
M&A Associate
If you’re interested in large business deals, the M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) role is for you. M&A associates help companies buy, sell, or merge with other businesses. In this career path, you will:
- Perform due diligence and valuation analysis
- Structure deal terms and financing models
- Prepare pitch books and client presentations
- Work directly with CEOs and decision-makers
This is a high-responsibility role that demands deep financial and negotiation skills.
Risk and Compliance Officer
Every bank needs to follow strict rules. Risk and compliance professionals make sure the bank follows local and international laws. They prevent fraud and report risks to management. As a Risk and Compliance Officer, your duties include:
- Monitoring transactions for suspicious activity
- Performing KYC (Know Your Customer) checks
- Updating policies and control systems
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
If you have a sharp eye for detail and enjoy rule-based roles, this career option is a good fit.
Trade Support Analyst
Trade support teams assist traders by investigating trade details, resolving discrepancies, and updating records. Trade support acts as a bridge between the front office (trading) and back office (settlements). The key responsibilities of this function encompass:
- Trade capture and confirmation
- Trade details are matched with counter-parties
- Discrepancies or mismatches are investigated
- Working through the different time zones
Today, trade support jobs are much sought after in global banks like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi.
Private Equity Analyst
Though slightly more advanced, private equity roles are a natural next step for investment banking professionals. These analysts study private companies, evaluate investments, and support fund managers. Your responsibilities may include:
- Evaluating startup or mid-sized companies
- Running cash flow and ROI models
- Supporting fundraising and due diligence
- Preparing investor reports
This role is ideal for those who want to work closely with growing businesses and investment portfolios.
Corporate Finance Executive
Corporate finance professionals work inside companies, helping them manage capital, reduce costs, and raise funds. As a corporate finance executive, you’ll:
- Plan budgets and manage company investments
- Handle business expansion funding
- Work with banks for loan structuring
- Support financial strategy and planning
This path gives you a chance to work with large businesses directly and be involved in decision-making.
Investment Banking Syllabus FAQs
1. What is included in the investment banking syllabus?
The investment banking syllabus generally covers topics such as financial modeling, valuation techniques, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), equity research, IPO process, debt and equity financing, and market regulations. It also includes Excel and PowerPoint training.
2. Is investment banking syllabus same across all certifications and courses?
Not at all. Though major subjects such as financial analysis, evaluation, or M&A are common in most institutions, the investment banking syllabus varies slightly from one institution to the other. For example, CFA and NSE courses on Investment Banking differ from each other in the structure and depth.
3. Do I need to know Excel or financial modeling for investment banking?
Yes. Financial modeling in Excel is a core skill taught in the investment banking syllabus. It includes revenue forecasting, cash flow modeling, and DCF valuation. Hands-on training with Excel is a must.
4. What are the soft skills included in the investment banking syllabus?
Besides technical skills, the investment banking syllabus also focuses on soft skills like communication, presentation, negotiation, and client relationship management – crucial for investment banking professionals.
5. How long does it take to complete the investment banking syllabus?
Typically, short-term certification courses take 3–6 months. Graduate-level investment banking programs can take 1–2 years depending on the depth and mode of learning.
