most relevant financial qualification for trading?

plz don't say 'the school of hard knocks', or 'the university of life'!

a friend of mine has his broker license, but to honest, his TA knowledge isn't that fantastic. just wondering if anyone knows of a good academic or vocational qualification that has the most relevancy to equities trading.

i've been looking at the qualifications of the main UK financial associations, but not sure if i'm on the right track.

Broker licenses and the like are more about making sure people have sufficient knowledge to act on the behalf of traders and investors. It really has little to do actually making trading decisions. Unless you're planning on working in the industry, skip that area.

Academic programs are just that - academic. That's theory and most of what gets taught in university finance programs is - in my experience - biased toward institutional trading (corporate financial management, fund management, etc.) than toward individual trading.

If you want something practical, then there are two areas I would suggest. The Chartered Market Technician (CMT) program offered by the Market Technicians Association is a popular one in the area of technicals. On the fundamental side, you'll want a strong understanding of accounting if thinking in terms of stock trading and/or macro economics.

ICMA Centre Reading UK | Business School | Finance Degrees | Executive Education | Consultancy

City University London - Mathematical Trading and Finance MSc

these are probably most relevant for equities trading. Think there is some sim trading as part of the course. However, doubt you'll find anything on TA as it's considered a load of ******** from an academic stand point.

thanks chaps.