Executive Programme In Algorithmic Trading EPAT

Stock market basics: Learning about financial markets and a brief understanding of how they work.
Excel primer: Spreadsheet basics, formatting, visualization, built-in functions, and hands-on practice.
Python primer: Using Spyder IDE, Jupyter Notebook, data structures, functions, and key libraries.
Options primer: Terminology, types of options, volatility types, and basic strategies.
Statistics primer: Descriptive stats, probability, distributions, regression, inferential statistics.
Macroeconomics primer: Inflation, exchange rates, GDP, interest, fiscal and monetary tools.
ML for trading primer: Supervised/unsupervised ML with trading applications.
Preparatory sessions: Two sessions to answer queries and resolve doubts.

Key ideas in statistics and probability, and animating them with financial market data
Creating and analyzing quant trading strategies on spreadsheets, creating charts to interpret their performance
Learning portfolio construction and optimizing them using modern portfolio theory
Introduction to Monte Carlo simulations and their applications on market data
Studying the random walk model to predict future stock prices using simulations and assessing outcomes
Understanding the capital asset pricing model

Data types, variables, Python in-built data structures, inbuilt functions, logical operators, and control structures
Introduction to the main libraries in the data science stack: NumPy, pandas, and matplotlib
Learning to write functions in Python
Studying pandas routine used to analyze and visualize OHLCV data
Writing and backtesting trading strategies
Two Python tutorials will be conducted to answer queries and resolve doubts on the material covered in the lectures

Overview of Electronic and Algorithmic Trading
Understanding market terminology, order book concepts and order types
Introduction to execution strategies and handling market impact cost
Understanding various algorithms such as Execution, Quant, and HFT
Understanding different investment styles and trading algorithms
Learning trading analytics
Case studies

Strategy building in equities - moving crossover, and VWAP
Profit and loss analysis of a trading system
Different types of Momentum (Time series & Cross-sectional)
Trend following strategies and Statistical Arbitrage Trading strategy modeling with Python
Arbitrage, market making and asset allocation strategies using ETFs
Introduction to position sizing and risk management

Learning to backtest and analyze various strategies on Python using historical data
Understanding object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts and using OOP to backtest trading strategies
Glimpse of the basic cloud infrastructure to host automated Python strategies
Learning vectorized and event-driven backtesting along with trade parameter optimization
Learning the workflow of a quant strategy
Two tutorials will be conducted to answer queries and resolve doubts related to the material covered in the related lectures

Classical ML algorithms: Support Vector Machines (SVM), k-means clustering, logistic regression, decision trees, random forests
Introduction to deep learning: Neural networks, gradient descent, and backpropagation algorithms
Using Python to build and evaluate ML models for potential trading strategies (by creating features and selecting suitable ones)
Learning principal component analysis (PCA) and using it to create statistical arbitrage strategies in multiple co-integrated assets
Learning about alternate data: sources, data formats, storage and retrieval
Introduction to deep reinforcement learning and implementing RL in a simple strategy using 'gamification'
Learn how to backtest a strategy using machine learning

Learning the different trading paradigms - LFT, MFT, and HFT
Understanding the system architecture of a traditional trading system
Understanding the system architecture of an automated trading system
Assessing the challenges in building a trading system
Learning about the infrastructure (hardware, software, network, etc.) requirements to start an algo trading desk
Understanding the business environment (including regulatory, financials, etc.) to start an algo trading desk
Overview on business requirements to start an algo trading desk
Examples of starting out in developing markets and developed markets

Learning time series-centric terminology like stationarity, ACF, PACF
Learning common features of financial asset returns
Introduction to the ARIMA family of models
Learning to model volatility
Introduction to ARCH and GARCH models
Building and testing trading strategies using time series modeling techniques on Python

Introduction to the Interactive Brokers (IB) platform and Blueshift
Working with IB Trader WorkStation (TWS) and the IB TWS API architecture
Learning the REST API (used by hundreds of brokers worldwide) and its components
Exposure to multiple Python solutions for algo trading
Learning to use IBridgePy (API used to backtest and live trade strategies with brokers like Interactive Brokers, Robinhood, TD Ameritrade)
Managing multiple accounts as a fund manager

Learning about different methods to evaluate portfolio and strategy performance
Understanding risk management: sources of risk, risk limits, risk evaluation and mitigation, risk control systems
Backtesting of portfolio management and risk analysis in Python using the Modern Portfolio Theory and Monte Carlo simulations
Profitability analysis of individual strategies
Building a portfolio with multiple stocks
Profitability analysis of a portfolio

Introduction to options, payoff diagrams, common option structures
General option trading principles, model-independent option features
Option pricing variables and parameters
Option pricing concepts (Black-Scholes-Merton)
Options Greeks
Options trading (early exercise and expiration trading)
Risk management and trade evaluation
Volatility premium
Volatility trading with options, realized and implied volatility
Hedging in practice
Building an Options Backtesting model

Self-study project work under the mentorship of a domain expert
Project topic can come from different areas of financial market trading (be it asset class, techniques used, market selected) and can help crystallize your learnings from the EPAT into something concrete

EPAT exam conducted at proctored centers in 80+ countries.

FAQs

Programme

Admissions & Fees

Funding EPAT

Learning Experience

The EPAT programme lasts for 6 months. Enrolment typically begins around four months prior to the programme start date. Once enrolled, you gain access to the student portal and can begin with the primer content, covering topics like Statistics, Econometrics, Options, Financial Markets Basics, Excel computation, and Python programming. From the start to the end date of the batch, you will have six months to attend lectures, complete assignments, tests, project work, and take the final examination.

The EPAT programme is recognized by various industry bodies and has received positive feedback from participants who have successfully transitioned into roles within the BFSI and FinTech sectors.

Before the start of a batch or/and during the first month, the primer topics in the fields of Statistics, Econometrics, Options, Machine Learning, Financial Markets basics, Excel computation and Python programming are covered. Short tests on each of these topics allow participants to test their knowledge in these fields. 2 preparatory lectures have been introduced to EPAT: Lecture 1 - Python and Lecture 2 - Statistics. These lectures would be conducted 2 weeks prior to the beginning of EPAT lectures and would be extremely beneficial in establishing your base in these topics. The first month is on introductory topics in Algorithmic Trading such as basic statistics, programming basics and understanding of order book & execution strategies so that a strong foundation is laid for the rest of the programme.

Advanced topics include time series analysis, machine learning in trading, event-based execution, market making, equities and ETF trading-based strategies, market microstructure, event-driven backtesting, and trading with mixture models among others. Different programming languages and tools used in the programme include Excel, Python, and Matlab. The programme allows participants to specialize in an asset class/strategy paradigm/trading paradigm(HFT, LFT, or MFT) through project work, which includes working under a domain expert's mentorship. To receive the detailed curriculum, please write to us at sales@quantinsti.com.

EPAT introduces the concepts behind building High-Frequency Trading (HFT) strategies, it does not include detailed implementation.

Typically 8-12 hours of self study, along with 6-8 hours of live lectures are required weekly to do well in the programme.

Your dedicated Support Manager will help you throughout the programme to ensure that you do not lag behind. Even if it happens, then depending on the completion date, you may choose the self-paced learning option available with a few months of extension. Based on the completion of assignments, and the number of lectures attended, you might be given the Certification of Participation.

You can apply for a batch defer to a later one, before the starting date of your enrolled batch. If your application is complete along with all required documents and it fulfills the required criteria, you could be moved to a later batch.

The course participants who complete the coursework along with the final EPAT exam successfully are awarded ‘Certification of Excellence’.

The minimum requirements to be eligible for ‘Certification of Excellence’ include a certain percentage of Attendance in lectures or time spent watching the recordings Score in quizzes and assignments Score in the mid-term examination Score in the final examination

EPAT Project is practical, self-driven, strategy creation or business-related research work that participants carry out under the mentorship of the respective domain expert. The project work is optional and carries no weightage in the final score. However, it serves as an excellent opportunity for driven and motivated candidates to specialize in an asset class or strategy paradigm by working with relevant data and quant platform(s).

You will be required to work on different platforms and softwares in the programme. Most of these platforms and softwares are either open-sourced or their free/demo versions are available for EPAT participants. You would not be required to purchase any product for learning purposes. QuantInsti doesn’t sell or endorse any product used in the programme. It is only recommended for learning purposes.

You will be taught different strategy paradigms by experts in their domains. QuantInsti does not claim to offer ‘profitable strategies’. EPAT aims to deliver the concepts & advanced techniques to create various types of Quantitative Strategies.

EPAT curriculum includes topics on business environment and setting up on your trading desk in which participants get to interact live with faculty and experts who have domestic and international experience in running Algorithmic & Quantitative trading, including HFT business. The participants are exposed to the dynamics involved in setting up an algorithmic trading desk.

You need to have: A personal computer with the minimum configuration as: Operating system such as Windows: (Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10) or Mac: Mac (v 10.10), Mac(v 10.11), Mac(v 10.12), Mac(v 10.13). Additionally, you will need some software/programming languages installed on your system to have hands-on experience as well as finish the programme. A list of required software and the installation manuals will be shared with you before the programme starts.

RAM: A trader runs multiple processes simultaneously, making RAM crucial. A minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended, but 16GB RAM is preferable.

Hard Drive: Most desktops come with 500GB storage, which is usually sufficient. However, you can opt for 1TB or more if needed. Ensure you choose an SSD (Solid State Drive) over an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for better performance. Example: 1TB SSD.

Graphics Card: For up to 2 monitors, an Nvidia video card with 2GB GPU is sufficient. If using more than 2 monitors, go for a 4GB GPU.

Language skills: You should be able to understand spoken and written English well.

Enough time and motivation: You should be able to devote 10-15 hours every week at the least. The more the better!

Career Assistance: Ongoing expert guidance, an EPAT alumnus secured a job six years after completing EPAT.

Lifelong Learning Content: EPAT alumni stay updated with the latest expert-curated EPAT content.

Ancillary Resources & Services (Quantra, Blueshift): Alumni get access to trading platforms, special discounts on quantitative trading events and resources, and exclusive conference invitations, sometimes exclusively!

Access to the Quant Network: Connect with EPATians from 90+ countries to build a global network of quants and algo traders. Country-specific meetups are arranged occasionally to bring together participants, alumni, and faculty.

Exclusive Invites to Webinars & Workshops: Alumni attend guest lectures by industry experts.

Read about EPATians’ experiences on our reviews page.

Learn from 20+ Industry Experts: Gain insights from leading professionals in algorithmic trading.

Hands-on Learning: Work on real-world trading strategies and coding exercises.

Dedicated Support Manager: Get personalized guidance throughout your learning journey.

Lifetime Placement Support: Exclusive EPAT sessions, resume building, mock interviews and more, to prepare you for quant roles with 300+ placement partners in 20+ countries.

Specialized EPAT Environment: Set up a customized yet comprehensive virtual space effortlessly for seamless and hassle-free coding practice.

Bonus Python Material: Exclusive practice resources for those completing assigned activities on time. These resources give you an edge during the selection, job assignment and interview processes.

New Assignments: Topics ranging from Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, to High Latency Trading, Market Microstructure and more, equipping you with the latest techniques used in the industry.

Cloud infra for Trading: A dedicated session on what, how and why, applications, setting up and deploying strategies on cloud infrastructure, challenges, and much more.

EPAT Guided Mini-Projects: Solve real-world problems with two optional 10-day Python-based projects, in addition to the main EPAT project.

Lifetime Access to EPAT Content: Stay updated with the latest industry trends and course materials.

The updated fee details are available here. Qualified applicants are provided with financial assistance and flexible payment plans.

Indian residents can avail of the rebate on the applicable fee of EPAT. The benefits can be availed by:

Direct Subsidy Benefits - Applicable to individuals with an annual income up to INR 2 million (Indian Rupees 20 lakhs) per annum

Employees of Public Sector Services/Enterprises (PSEs) & Stock/Commodity Exchanges and Regulatory bodies (SEBI, RBI, IRDA, etc), including retired employees from these enterprises.

Defence personnel (both current and ex-servicemen, including those served/serving under short service commission) & Medical professionals.

Full-time academia, including full-time students & full-time professors/lecturers.

Financial assistance provided to qualified applicants include but are not limited to the following:

Merit-Based Scholarship - QuantInsti offers scholarships to deserving candidates who score well on the test. You can apply for the scholarship here.

Student Discounts -QuantInsti believes in investing in the future of tomorrow, the students of today. We have a discounted fee for full-time students.

Participants from Emerging Economies -Special consideration is given to participants from Emerging Markets so that the programme is more affordable.

Flexible Payment Plans – QuantInsti is partnered with financial institutes that provide education-related flexible payment plans to Indian resident participants.

This programme has been accredited under the IBF Standards and is eligible for funding under the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS), subject to all eligibility criteria being met. A participant must successfully complete the EPAT programme (including passing all relevant assessments and examinations) to be eligible. Prospective participants are advised to assess the suitability of the programme and its relevance to participants’ business activities or job roles.

IBF-STS provides up to 50% funding for direct training costs subject to a cap of S$ 3,000 per candidate per programme subject to all eligibility criteria being met. This is applicable to Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, physically based in Singapore. Find out more on www.ibf.org.sg

Indian residents can avail of a rebate on the EPAT fee. The benefits apply to:

Direct Subsidy Benefits - Applicable to individuals with an annual income up to INR 2 million (Indian Rupees 20 lakhs) per annum.

Public Sector & Regulatory Professionals - Employees of Public Sector Services/Enterprises (PSEs) & Stock/Commodity Exchanges and Regulatory bodies (SEBI, RBI, IRDA, etc), including retired employees from these enterprises.

Defence & Medical Professionals - Defence personnel (both current and ex-servicemen, including those served/serving under short service commission) & Medical professionals.

Students – Full-time academia, including full-time students & full-time professors/lecturers.

It's essential for Indian participants to factor in the 18% GST added to the programme fees.

QuantInsti has partnered with government approved NBFCs to facilitate 0% financial assistance with minimal documentation for the Indian resident participants. To apply for the assistance, you would be required to share following documents with QuantInsti:

First and Last Name

Scanned Copy of PAN Card & Aadhaar Card - This will help to generate your CIBIL score

Last three months pay slip (in case of a salaried employee) or last three year filed ITR (in case of self-employed)

Last 4 months bank statement

Once you share the mentioned documents, your programme manager will connect you with the respective NBFC associates. Respective NBFC will share the sanction letter (loan approval letter) on loan approval, and you can proceed with the downpayment as per the plan agreed with the NBFC associate.

On receipt of a defined downpayment and the payment from partnered NBFC, you'll get access to the Learning Management System (Primer Modules) to kick off your Algo and Quant learning journey.

It is an online test comprising of college-level questions from relevant disciplines: Statistics, Financial Markets, Options, and Programming. For high scorers, a merit-based discount is applicable to their EPAT fees. You can take the test here. Please note, that you get only one attempt for the test.

It is a simple three-step process:

Submit your application form here.

Wait for your application to get accepted.

Pay the fees.

Soon after the successful receipt of your EPAT fees & acceptance, you are given access to the learning management system (LMS portal) and your EPAT journey begins!

Before admission, we offer to facilitate a one-on-one counsellor that will focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the participant. These sessions do not necessarily decide the participants’ eligibility but help counsellors assist them with informed guidance prior to enrolment.

We provide an opportunity to clear all your doubts about the programme prior to enrolment. Also, you get access to a dedicated team support even before your EPAT programme starts. Therefore, we follow a no refund policy.

Yes, you can apply. College students can benefit from EPAT by making themselves “more recruitable” with the required practical skills in the financial markets domain. EPAT alumni include college students who bagged good roles after successful completion of their college degree and EPAT.

Please note that while QuantInsti offers lifetime placement services to all EPAT alumni, it does not guarantee any placements.

QuantInsti offers student discounts to all full-time students, which can be availed by sharing the valid college ID proof and other required documents.

Send us your details by filling the application form here and we will arrange a counselling call for you.

Traders and financial market professionals who don’t have programming experience, can benefit & prepare themselves for their EPAT journey with the help of the primer content shared upon your successful enrolment. This is a self-study, interactive module which helps you code, understand basics and prepare yourself for the classroom sessions which cover advanced and complex concepts as well. The primer module also contains a test which helps participants assess their learning.

Yes, you can apply. If you are from engineering or quantitative sciences background, you might already have some basic exposure to the skills required for Algorithmic trading domain. To check your eligibility in EPAT, apply for the scholarship test here. EPAT counsellors will get in touch with you and guide you further.

For beginners in Quantitative domain, EPAT offers primer modules on Statistics, Econometrics, Options, Financial markets, Excel computation and Python programming along with assessment tests in each of these categories.

Historically, we have been running 4 batches of EPAT in a year.

The updated dates and fees related information is available here.

Indian residents can avail of the rebate on the applicable fee of EPAT. The benefits can be availed by:

Direct Subsidy Benefits - Applicable to individuals with an annual income up to INR 2 million (Indian Rupees 20 lakhs) per annum

Employees of Public Sector Services/Enterprises (PSEs) & Stock/Commodity Exchanges and Regulatory bodies (SEBI, RBI, IRDA, etc), including retired employees from these enterprises.

Defence personnel (both current and ex-servicemen, including those served/serving under short service commission) & Medical professionals.

Full-time academia, including full-time students & full-time professors/lecturers.

About IBF Certification

IBF Certification is an industry endorsed mark of quality for finance professionals in Singapore. Individuals who successfully complete an eligible IBF-Standards Training Scheme ("IBF-STS") accredited training and assessment programme and meet the relevant criteria may apply for IBF Certification. More information on IBF Certification can be found in here.

Yes, EPAT is accredited by The Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF, Singapore) under the IBF Standards. This is applicable to Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, physically based in Singapore.

EPAT is accredited by IBF-STS.

This programme has been accredited under the IBF Standards, and is eligible for funding under the IBF Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS), subject to all eligibility criteria being met. A participant must successfully complete the EPAT programme (including passing all relevant assessments and examinations) in order to be eligible. Prospective participants are advised to assess the suitability of the programme and its relevance to participants’ business activities or job roles.

IBF-STS provides upto 50% funding for direct training costs subject to a cap of S$ 3,000 per candidate per programme subject to all eligibility criteria being met. This is applicable to Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, physically based in Singapore.

Find out more on www.ibf.org.sg.

You need to be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, physically based in Singapore

You must successfully complete the EPAT programme (including passing all relevant assessments and examinations) in order to be eligible

You must attend at least 75% of the training. For more details, please book a call with a counsellor

Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents, physically based in Singapore are eligible for STS funding, given they meet the defined criteria. Find out more on www.ibf.org.sg.

No, you cannot claim any other grant if you are claiming this subsidy from IBF. You should not be claiming for any other grants, subsidies, or tax concessions, provided either by the Financial Sector Development Fund (FSDF) and/or Singapore government agencies, unless explicitly permitted.

Batch deferment and self-study is not allowed for participants applying for grants from IBF-STS. You need to complete the programme by writing examinations being conducted with your batch.

You must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% and complete the course within the same batch.

If you fail to achieve at least 50% score in the EPAT exams, the IBF-STS grant will be revoked, and you will be liable to pay the full course fee.

The programme works on a Nett fee model, i.e. you need to pay only the difference between the fee, and the funding amount at the time of enrolment. QuantInsti will claim the funding amount from IBF-STS on completion of the programme. In case you fail to complete the programme with the required score in programme, or if the claim raised by QuantInsti is rejected by IBF, then you are liable to pay the funding amount to QuantInsti.

As the faculty members are based in different locations worldwide, all live lectures are conducted online.

Yes, you can attend the sessions on the go using the required apps on smartphones and tablets. But we recommend attending sessions on your laptop/desktop as most of the sessions are hands-on.

No, the EPAT programme is fully online and does not require any physical attendance.

The curriculum is practice-oriented and designed by practitioners to ensure you learn concepts from a real-world perspective.

Hands-on learning is encouraged—faculty members guide you to work on your machine, interact personally and quiz you during sessions.

Data-driven approach—almost every concept is taught using real financial market data.

Projects & mini-projects—students work on them with faculty guidance.

Self-practice is key—open-ended assignments help reinforce learning and are individually graded.

No, you will not trade in live markets during the lecture hours or in the classroom sessions. However, you will be taught to paper trade and experts will share nuances that differ paper and live trading environment. When you take your strategies live and have doubts, as EPAT participant/alumni, you can get the required guidance from the faculty.

In many ways:

Live interaction with faculty during lectures.

Get your doubts resolved before or after lectures by faculty.

Work under the mentorship of a subject matter expert during EPAT project work.

Stay connected - you can also interact with faculty anytime through your support manager.

Dedicated Support Manager will guide you through the six months. Your manager will resolve your doubts and keep you motivated and engaged in this new and demanding career path.

Expert guidance from industry practitioners who are part of the faculty.

Career support includes resume building, career counseling, mock interviews, and more. You will also receive job postings from the very first month.

Additional learning resources with extra links and content will be shared with you to enhance your learning.

Alumni support is provided post EPAT, to help you grow in the algo trading domain and network with your peers.

Lifetime access to updated lecture notes and videos is provided after completing EPAT successfully.

QuantInsti provides you with two books to be referred to during the programme.

Machine Learning in Trading

Python Basics

Before starting EPAT, we provide primer modules to give you a head start and familiarize you with basic concepts and tools used during the programme. We also share additional links & content to further enhance your learning.

The total duration of the course is 6 months. It comprises of 4 parts:

Live Lectures

Test & Assignments

Live Project (optional)

Final Examination

Each lecture would ideally be around 3 hours in duration, with two lectures in a week. The lectures take place over the weekends. To receive the detailed curriculum, please do write to us at sales@quantinsti.com.

EPAT Exams are conducted at the Prometric centres globally. Every year, there are four exam windows/weeks, during which you can schedule your own exam based on the availability of the slot at the nearest Prometric centre in your country. You may also write exam using the Remote proctoring basis availability.

We understand your concern and respect the efforts that you put to learn. So, we may provide you with a chance for re-attempting the exam. You can check with your support manager for detailed process. Re-scheduling charges may be applicable for the scheduling the exam beyond your batch exam window.

One month prior to the exam, you will get an email from the Support team, explaining the process for scheduling your exam. Additionally, you may call your support manager who will guide you to schedule your exam.

About QuantInsti

QuantInsti offers one of the world’s most comprehensive ecosystems for Algorithmic & Quantitative Trading, offering educational and technological solutions to individuals and institutions.

Our online learning platform features top industry experts who share their decades of experience in a unique interactive manner.

We also empower brokerage houses & hedge funds with our institutional-grade technology and trading platform, enabling them to offer advanced trading tools to millions of users.

Learner Reviews

We have a 4.8 rating out of 400+ Google reviews

Adithya Bhatt

India

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"QuantInsti has been instrumental in my HFT research as an EPAT Alumni member and PhD candidate in finance. Their comprehensive courses and expert instructors have provided me a strong foundation in the domain of algorithmic trading, quantitative analysis, and market microstructure."

Vishal Kejriwal

"The course was good and to the point. The content is way better than other online courses, and assistance in placement is really a plus point. So, I would really recommend this course to all trading enthusiasts.It provides practical exposure that helps build real-world trading confidence."

Ranga Chaitanya

"The EPAT course is truly worth your time and money spent. Faculty members are practicing professionals with expertise in the area. If you are looking to start your career in the quantitative field, you must consider this course.It provides a solid foundation for both research and industry roles."

Executive Programme In
Algorithmic Trading - EPAT®

QUANTITATIVE TRADING PROJECTS

Predicting Bank Nifty Open
Price Using Deep Learning

EPAT Faculty

3 Pillars of EPAT

Certification

Trader Outcomes

Benefits

EPAT Benefits

Learner Reviews

Adithya Bhatt

Vishal Kejriwal

Ranga Chaitanya

FAQs

About QuantInsti

Executive Programme In Algorithmic Trading - EPAT®

QUANTITATIVE TRADING PROJECTS

Predicting Bank Nifty OpenPrice Using Deep Learning

EPAT Faculty

3 Pillars of EPAT

Certification

Trader Outcomes

Benefits

EPAT Benefits

Learner Reviews

Adithya Bhatt

Vishal Kejriwal

Ranga Chaitanya

FAQs

About QuantInsti

Executive Programme In
Algorithmic Trading - EPAT®

Predicting Bank Nifty Open
Price Using Deep Learning