Managing my investments

On this free online course, you'll learn about different investment choices, the returns and risks associated with each, and the evidence about their historical performance. You'll explore investment strategies, as well as the practicalities about involvement in personal finance markets. And you'll look at how to avoid the individual and group behavioural traits that can impair effective investment decision making.

Research shows that UK households are poor at investment management with a limited understanding of investment choices, risks and returns. The resultant 'savings gap' threatens a scenario where many cannot afford to retire.

Elsewhere households fail to plan properly, to make their investment choices fit with their risk appetites and the time horizons for access to their funds. This course aims to give you the tools to avoid these personal finance nightmares.

Throughout, the course will provide recent and current case studies on investment issues, to demonstrate how the ideas and issues explored in the course are reflected in the arena of personal investments.

Managing my investments aims to give you the knowledge and confidence to take charge of your investments and your financial future.

Please note that the forum referred to in course videos is no longer available.

This course is presented on OpenLearn with the kind support of True Potential LLP. If you want to know more about the work of the True Potential Centre for the Public Understanding of Finance (PUFin) and its mission to improve personal financial capability, check out the centre's website. The centre, generously funded by True Potential LLP, has a mission to develop teaching and undertake research to help improve public financial capability.

This course is intended for those with an interest in developing their personal financial skills to make good decisions when managing their finances and buying financial products. The course does not require any previous experience of studying this subject.

This course has generously been supported by Harrison Centre for Social Mobility,  whose aim is to make a difference in social mobility through education, training and skills development. For more information about the charity go to Harrison Centre for Social Mobility.

By enrolling on this course you can track your progress and gain a Statement of Participation for completing the whole course.