Following the success of the ifs Student Investor Challenge, which currently has 30,000 students aged between 14-19 investing a fantasy £100,000 in the stock market, a more sophisticated version for University students of any age has been launched today.
Those competing in the ifs Uni Investor Challenge will learn about shares, bonds, going short, going long, gilts and so on.
Participants have a fantasy £100,000 to invest over a three month period (February 1 – April 30 2007) and the top performing portfolio holders will then have to write an essay detailing why they made the investment decisions they did.
The ultimate winner will pick up a cash prize of £9,000 – sufficient to pay three years tuition fees! In addition, there is a postgraduate league with a top prize of £3,000 and monthly prizes throughout the Challenge.
Anne Kiem, director of external affairs at the ifs School of Finance who run the competition said,
“The ifs Uni Challenge is a useful tool in educating about finance, giving students a practical insight into stock markets, savings and investments. Any University student, no matter what subject they are studying, can participate in this free online challenge and they could win a substantial sum of money – greatly easing the costs of a University education – whilst improving their knowledge of investments.”
Last years winner of the inaugural ifs Uni Investor Challenge, Anna-Louise Christie, a 22 year-old student from Aberdeen, said,
“I think most students have a very limited understanding of the stock market and personal finance in general so I think all University students should consider taking part in the challenge, regardless of the subject they are studying. The challenge will provide them with a better awareness of financial matters – as it did mine.”
