FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the CTSD?
The Certified Trading System Developer (CTSD) is a qualification and training program in automated trading system development. The qualification is offered and accreditated by the Institute for Market Technology in Chicago.

Who is it for?
The CTSD is designed for traders and fund managers of all asset classes and trading time scales who are looking to learn how to develop their own proprietary automated trading system, or for those already involved in one part of developing a trading system (e.g. IT systems, programming, quant, strategy creation) who want to understand the other parts in greater details. The CTSD is also an ideal course for chief investment officers and managing directors who need to understand all parts of the development process in order to ensure the efficient and continuous deployment of profitable trading systems at the company level.

Why enrol?
The CTSD is the only such qualification in trading system development. Students will come out with a deep understanding in all aspects of system development and the confidence to engage with programmers, IT specialists, quants, traders and fund managers alike. The qualification will take between 6 months and 2 years to complete and can be completed based entirely on the manuals through self-study and the online support of tutors. Alternatively, there is a series of nine two-day training courses designed to help students familiarise themselves with the syllabus and ultimately gain qualification.

What does the syllabus cover?
The syllabus covers three main areas – Market Technology, Quantitative Finance and Trading Strategy – and will instruct delegates in all aspects of building an automated trading system, including strategy discovery, data analysis, backtesting, optimisation, programming and system architecture.

Where and When?
Students can be resident in any country. Exams are held twice a year in Chicago and London (October and April) and can be arranged at other locations depending on demand. The first exams in London will be in October this year.