Question 1

What are the differences between a Member and an Active Member?

Accepted Answer

As a Member you have access to our Learning Sessions as well as our corporate and social events, and priority reservation over non-Members. Active Members work alongside the Board on operational and educational activities, events, learning sessions and internal projects. Becoming a Member is the prerequisite for applying for Active Membership and for the Board.

Question 2

Is there an application process to become a Member of the Club?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but not in the sense of an interview. You only have to fill out the Membership Form. Becoming an Active Member requires that you are already a Member.

Question 3

How much does the membership cost? Is it per year or per semester?

Accepted Answer

Membership costs 20 € and is collected every semester by automatic direct debit.

Question 4

Who can join the Club?

Accepted Answer

Students of any university, field of study, semester and background are welcome, as long as you are enrolled at a German university. No prior finance experience is required.

Question 5

How do I get into the Meritocracy?

Accepted Answer

The Meritocracy consists of our most qualified Members. Entry requires passing at least one of our internal exams and demonstrating strong market analysis skills and efficient information assimilation. Meritocracy Members have the opportunity to work on research supervised by the Chair of Finance at the University of Mannheim and on projects with our partners.

Question 6

Can I cancel my membership?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Membership renews per semester, simply let us know at info@hedgefundclub.de at least one month before the end of the current semester and we will take care of the rest. Note that late cancellations are not accepted. Any cancellation after the deadline for any given semester is legally and effectively a cancellation for the following semester, not the current one.

Question 7

When can I join? Is there a deadline?

Accepted Answer

You can join at any point in the semester. Most Members sign up in the two weeks around our kick-off session, but the form stays open all year and you can start anytime.

Question 8

What do I get for the semester fee?

Accepted Answer

Access to every Learning Session and to our corporate and social events, priority reservation, the option to sit the certification exam, our learning session materials, and the network of Members, alumni and partners behind the Club.

Question 9

How much time commitment should I plan in for an Active Membership?

Accepted Answer

Plan for roughly three to five hours per week, depending on your role and the time of the semester. Event weeks are busier; the rest is flexible and coordinated within your team.

Question 10

How do I become part of the Board?

Accepted Answer

Board positions are filled from within the Club, you first need to be an Active Member. Positions are announced towards the end of each semester or otherwise confirmed by the newly (re)elected Core Board after the Annual General Meeting.

Question 11

Can Master's students, PhD candidates or exchange students join?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Any enrolled student is welcome regardless of degree level, and exchange students are very much encouraged to join for their semester in Mannheim.

Question 12

I have already graduated. Can I stay involved?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as an alumnus you stay on our alumni list, are invited to selected events and may be invited to come back as a speaker or mentor. Write to us and we will keep you in the loop.

Question 13

Do I need prior finance or coding knowledge to apply?

Accepted Answer

No. Our curricula are built to start from the fundamentals, and every semester a large share of our new Members join without any finance or programming background.

Question 14

How do I pay the semester fee?

Accepted Answer

After you submit the Membership Form, we will collect the fee by automatic direct debit every semester.

Question 15

Can I switch from Member to Active Member during the semester?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Active Membership openings are announced within the Club during the semester, and as a Member you can apply for them at any point using the Active Membership Form.

Question 16

Can I join the Learning Sessions if I am not a Member of the Club?

Accepted Answer

The first session of each semester is always open to everyone. After that you will need to become a Member to continue attending.

Question 17

Does it make sense to attend the Learning Sessions without prior coding knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The first two weeks are oriented towards first-semester students with no prior knowledge of the relevant field for that semester, so you can follow along from the very beginning.

Question 18

Can I attend only Quant, only Portfolio Management, only Private Equity or only Private Debt?

Accepted Answer

No, Quant and Portfolio Management have been combined into one singular curriculum: Public Markets, and likewise Private Equity and Private Debt have been combined into Private Markets since Winter Semester 2023.

Question 19

Will I be able to attend the Learning Sessions without taking the exam at the end?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the exam is optional, it is challenging and requires time and effort that not every student is willing to commit. Keep in mind, though, that passing our exam entitles you to a certificate co-signed by our department-corresponding industry partners, which adds an additional layer of quality assurance and prestige to your knowledge. We can also only offer you a seat at the Meritocracy if you pass an exam.

Question 20

How much time should I expect to invest per week?

Accepted Answer

Plan for roughly two to three hours for the weekly sessions as there are two per week, plus preparation time if you intend to sit the exam or take part in a case study. The workload scales with your ambition.

Question 21

In which language are the sessions held?

Accepted Answer

All Learning Sessions, events and internal communication are held in English.

Question 22

Where and when do the sessions take place?

Accepted Answer

Sessions run twice weekly during the lecture period on the campus of the University of Mannheim, starting always in the evening at 7pm. Exact rooms and times are announced ahead of each semester and to Members via our social channels.

Question 23

What happens if I miss a session?

Accepted Answer

Nothing is lost. All session slides and additional material are shared with our Members after every session, and the following week always opens with a short recap as a refresher.

Question 24

What exactly does the certificate say and who recognises it?

Accepted Answer

It states the module, the semester and the result of the exam, and it is co-signed by the industry partner corresponding to that department. Our industry partner for the Public Markets Exam is Prime Capital AG.

Question 25

Can I retake the exam if I fail?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can sit the exam again in a following semester at no additional cost beyond your regular membership fee.

Question 26

Do the sessions give me ECTS credits?

Accepted Answer

No. Our programme runs independently of any university curriculum.

Question 27

Which topics do the departments cover?

Accepted Answer

Public Markets covers Python, data handling, signal construction, backtesting, allocation, risk and performance measurement. Private Markets covers deal screening, LBO mechanics, credit structures and valuation.

Question 28

Do I have to write the exam for both parts of a module?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Since Winter Semester 2023 each department is one combined module, so the exam always covers the full curriculum of that department rather than a single half of it.

Question 29

Are the sessions taught by students?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every session is prepared and held by Members of our education departments, usually Meritocracy Members or Active Members who have already passed the exam, and reviewed internally before it is taught.

Question 30

What kinds of events do you organise?

Accepted Answer

We organise corporate events and invite guest speakers focused mainly on hedge fund strategies and topics relevant to the module of the semester. Alongside that, we host social events and get-togethers within the Club.

Question 31

Do you offer access to internships or career opportunities?

Accepted Answer

We do not place candidates ourselves, but our corporate events, partner case studies and alumni network regularly lead to introductions, interviews and opportunities in asset management, trading, banking and private markets.

Question 32

How can a company partner with the Hedge Fund Club?

Accepted Answer

We collaborate with partners on corporate events, guest lectures, case studies, data access and co-signed certifications. Reach out via our contact form or write to info@hedgefundclub.de and our Corporate Relations team will get back to you.

Question 33

Are events open to non-Members?

Accepted Answer

Selected formats, the kick-off session, a few guest talks and our open networking evenings, are open to everyone. Corporate events with limited seats, partner case studies and internal socials are reserved for Members, who also get priority reservation everywhere else.

Question 34

Do you travel to firms or host trips?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Depending on the semester we organise office visits and trips to partner firms in various cities. These are announced in advance and seats are allocated to Members, with Active and Meritocracy Members given priority.

Question 35

Can I propose a speaker, topic or collaboration?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Members regularly bring in speakers from their networks and suggest semester topics. Write to info@hedgefundclub.de or speak to any Board member and we will follow up.

Question 36

Do I need a laptop or specific software for the learning sessions?

Accepted Answer

A laptop is enough. Everything we use, Python, our data notebooks and the modelling templates, is free or provided through the Club, and we help you set it up in the first session.

Question 37

I study outside Mannheim. Can I still take part?

Accepted Answer

Fundamentally, yes, for those events where an online option is available. Learning Sessions are however exclusively in person, and we often have Members from other universities join when they can. All materials, recordings where available and communication are shared with Members only.

Question 38

How do I stay informed about sessions and events?

Accepted Answer

Members are added to our internal channels and receive a semester calendar link plus weekly reminders. Everything public is also announced on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Question 39

How is my data handled?

Accepted Answer

We only collect what is needed to administer membership. Further details can be found in our privacy policy page. Data stays within the Board, is never sold or shared with partners without your consent, and is deleted on request at info@hedgefundclub.de.

Question 40

Is the Club a registered association?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Hedge Fund Club is a registered non-profit student association (e. V.) run entirely by students. Semester fees and partner contributions go straight back into sessions, events and materials.

Question 41

I still have a question. Who do I contact?

Accepted Answer

Write to info@hedgefundclub.de or send us a message on LinkedIn or Instagram. We usually reply within a couple of days. If you are in our Whatsapp groups, feel free to write any board member directly.

Everything you wanted to ask.

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