What are Derivatives, Futures & Options?: Course Fees 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Admissions
Pragati SinghSenior Executive - Content
Derivatives, Futures & Options (DFO) courses are made to give you the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of derivative instruments in the Indian financial market. These courses cover basic concepts such as the types of derivatives, their applications in risk management and speculation, valuation techniques, trading strategies, risk management practices, and the regulatory framework governing derivatives trading.
Derivatives, Futures & Options Course Details: Highlights
Below table covers all the course highlights related to Derivatives, Futures & Options (DFO) courses:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course Levels |
Diploma and Certificates |
| Eligibility |
Class 10 or Class 12 |
| Admission |
Merit-based |
| Top Colleges |
Symbiosis School for Online, CU, |
| Salary Range |
INR 3 - 8 LPA |
| Top Recruiters |
HDFC, Bain & Company, Accenture, etc. |
| Job Positions |
Derivatives Trader, Derivatives Structurer, Derivatives Quarter/Analyst, etc. |
Source - External sites
Derivatives, Futures & Options Eligibility Criteria
Refer to the table below to learn about the Derivatives, Futures & Options eligibility criteria course level wise:
| Course Level |
Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Certificate Level |
Basic understanding of the stock market |
| May require completion of a preparatory module on financial markets. |
|
| Minimum age requirement (usually 18 years old). |
|
| Diploma Level |
Completion of a certificate course in derivatives or equivalent knowledge. |
| May require a foundational understanding of financial markets and instruments. |
Top Derivatives, Futures & Options Entrance Exams
Candidates who wish to pursue a career in the financial field can take the following exams after pursuing related courses at the graduation level:
| Entrance Exams |
Exam Dates |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| CFA |
Level I:
Level II:
Level III:
|
|
| AMU |
June’24 (Tentative) |
|
| URATPG |
To Be Notified |
|
| LUACMAT |
Jul '24 (Tentative) |
|
| SPSAT |
Jul '24 (Tentative) |
Source - Official sites
Derivatives, Futures & Options Subjects
Below is a table outlining various subjects related to Derivatives, Futures, and Options in India:
| Subject |
Description |
|---|---|
| Financial Derivatives |
Introduction to derivatives, types of derivatives, underlying assets, features, and significance. |
| Futures Market |
Mechanics of futures markets, contract specifications, trading mechanisms, clearing, and settlement processes. |
| Options Market |
Basics of options, types of options, option pricing models, Greeks, strategies, and applications. |
| Risk Management in Derivatives |
Risk types associated with derivatives, hedging strategies, risk assessment, and mitigation techniques. |
| Regulatory Framework |
SEBI regulations governing derivatives markets, compliance requirements, margin regulations, and reporting. |
| Trading Strategies and Techniques |
Fundamental and technical analysis, trading strategies using futures and options, spread trading, and more. |
| Derivatives Pricing Models |
Black-Scholes model, Binomial model, factors affecting options pricing, volatility modeling, and calibration. |
| Market Analysis and Research |
Fundamental analysis of derivatives markets, market indicators, technical analysis tools, and research methods. |
| Commodity Derivatives |
Overview of commodity derivatives markets, types of contracts, trading strategies, and regulatory aspects. |
| Equity Derivatives |
Introduction to equity derivatives, stock futures, stock options, index derivatives, and trading strategies. |
| Currency Derivatives |
Basics of currency derivatives, types of contracts, trading mechanisms, hedging strategies, and regulatory norms. |
| Interest Rate Derivatives |
Interest rate futures, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, and other interest rate derivatives instruments. |
| Clearing and Settlement Mechanisms |
Clearinghouses, settlement processes, margin requirements, default procedures, and risk management practices. |
| Case Studies and Practical Applications |
Real-world case studies, simulation exercises, hands-on trading platforms, and application of theoretical concepts. |
Also Read: Top finance colleges in India
Top Derivatives, Futures & Options Colleges
Colleges for Derivatives, Futures, and Options courses are as follows:
| College |
Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| INR 20,000 |
|
| INR 4.1 L - 4.3 L |
|
| INR 7,900 |
|
| INR 4,500 - 16,500 |
|
| NA |
|
| NA |
|
| NA |
|
| INR 8.8 L |
|
| NA |
|
| INR 65,000 - 1.3 L |
Source - Official sites
Derivatives, Futures & Options (DFO) Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters
The growth in this field of finance is huge. The experience earned at the intern level also holds good value. A career in Finance has a lot of scopes and is one of the most demanding and ever-growing sectors in the country. Here are some of the job profiles that you can opt for in the future.
| Job Title |
Job Description |
Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Derivatives Trader |
Executes trades involving derivative instruments (futures, options) on behalf of clients or financial institutions, aiming to generate profits. |
7-12 LPA (varies based on experience, firm, and performance) |
| Derivatives Structurer |
Designs and develops customized derivative products to meet client needs, considering risk-return profiles and market conditions. |
8-15 LPA (varies based on experience, firm, and expertise) |
| Derivatives Quarter/Analyst |
Develops and implements quantitative models for valuing and analyzing derivative instruments, using complex mathematics and financial engineering techniques. |
8-15 LPA (varies based on experience, firm, and skillset) |
| Risk Manager (Derivatives) |
Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks associated with derivatives trading activities within a financial institution. Develops and implements risk management strategies. |
7-12 LPA (varies based on experience, firm, and qualifications) |
| Sales Associate (Derivatives Products) |
Sells derivative products (options contracts, structured products) to clients, explaining features, benefits, and risk profiles. Focuses on building relationships and achieving sales targets. |
5-8 LPA (varies based on experience, firm, and performance) |
| Portfolio Manager (with DFO expertise) |
Manages investment portfolios that incorporate derivatives for hedging or enhancing returns. Requires strong understanding of DFO instruments and risk management. |
10-20 LPA (varies based on experience, firm, performance, and portfolio size) |
Source - External sites
Derivatives, Futures and Options Top Recruiters
The top recruiters in this field are as follows:
| List of Top Recruiters |
|
|---|---|
| HDFC |
Bain & Company |
| Accenture |
McKinsey & Company |
| ICICI Bank |
EY (Ernst & Young) |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank |
Deloitte Consulting |
| Wells Fargo |
PwC |
| TCS |
KPMG |
FAQs Related to Derivatives Futures and Options
Q: What are derivatives?
A: Derivatives are financial contracts between two parties whose value is based on the value of underlying assets.
Q: What are the kinds of assets included in derivatives?
A: Assets such as indexes, bonds, currencies, commodities, stocks, interest rates, etc. are included under derivatives.
Q: What is hedging?
A: Hedging is a risk management strategy for which derivatives are used. Hedging is employed to offset losses. Hedging requires the investor to pay money for the protection of assets in form of premiums.
Q: What is the difference between futures and options?
A: The futures bind the buyer in a contract. Date of buying something is fixed. On the other hand, the options derivate gives an option. Sell whenever you want to. No restrictions.
Q: Which skills are required to make a career in the field of Finance?
A: Students who wish to pursue a career in finance must have strong mathematical and analytical skills, an eye for detail, objectivity, quantitative skills, etc.
Q: Which are the top finance exams for the Derivatives course?
A: Students can appear for exams such as CFA, ICSI, ICAI, CS, etc.
Q: What are the career options after studying Finance?
A: Students have a plethora of job opportunities after they have studied finance. They can opt for careers such as Financial Risk Analyst, Analyst, Chartered Accountant, Public Accountant, Wealth Manager, Investment Banker, etc.
Q: Which are the top recruiters for finance graduates?
A: Top companies such as JP Morgan, Barclays, India Bulls, Deloitte, Wells Fargo, etc. hire finance graduates.
Q: What is the average salary on an Investment Banker in India?
A: The average salary of an Investment Banker in India is approximately INR 9.42 LPA.
Q: Which courses can I opt for if I wish to study derivatives?
A: Students who wish to study derivatives can opt for various finance courses such as MCom, BCom, MBA in Finance, BBA in Finance, CFA, etc.
- Popular Derivatives, Futures & Options Colleges in India
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Popular Derivatives, Futures & Options Colleges in India
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