by Hugh Clarke
Over June/July 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to study at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in their Summer School program. Since commencing my Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) degree at UQ in 2023, I have been strongly motivated to complete this experience. The chance to study at a world-renowned business institution, located in the heart of one of the world’s major finance hubs and meet people from across the globe was an opportunity that truly excited me.
I completed FM230: Alternative Investments, an intensive three-week course that explored the alternative asset classes of private equity, hedge funds, commodities, real estate, and venture capital as vehicles for portfolio growth. The course significantly deepened my understanding of the risk-return profiles of these alternative asset classes, how to effectively incorporate them into portfolio construction, and global factors that drive their appeal as investment assets. I walked away with new technical skills such as the ability to calculate the alpha of a hedge fund strategy, evaluate a venture capital deal, undertake different types of financial modelling, and critically analyse portfolios. These tangible skills from the course will directly contribute to my future academic and career pursuits.
Because the UQ finance major for Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) predominantly focuses on classic investment assets of bonds and equity, it was particularly valuable to explore how these alternative asset classes complemented, contrasted and utilised the classic investments that we had learnt about in great depth. For example, how hedge funds will use convertible bond arbitrage as a form of convergence trading to hedge risks from underlying stock price movements. I am confident that this newfound knowledge will be an excellent complement to the foundational knowledge gained in my major, and position me well for a future career in the finance sector.
Academically, this course also represented an opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and further develop my skills. The demanding course structure of the LSE Summer School required the adoption of new learning and study techniques to successfully complete the intensive 3-week program. This method of delivery with a lecture and tutorial class scheduled daily, with a mid-term exam in week two and a final exam in week three, was vastly different to the semester-based teaching layout I had become accustomed to at UQ. This reinforced the importance of disciplined time management, consistent revision habits, and a fundamental focus on deeply understanding concepts taught in class rather than trying to memorise them. The experience emphasised how proactivity and adaptability in learning are fundamental both in an academic context and a professional working environment, where conditions and expectations are constantly shifting. I am confident that these skills will be invaluable during the remainder of my degree and into my professional career.
Another defining aspect of the LSE Summer School experience was the collaborative nature of the lectures and tutorial classes. This, along with the social atmosphere of the LSE Summer School Hall accommodation encouraged me to meet and mix with students from a variety of countries and degree programs. It was a pleasure to meet such a diverse group of like-minded students and make connections from the United States, China, Demark, Spain, Singapore, and a variety of other countries. I found it particularly fascinating to learn about the diverse variety of cultures, norms, and university experiences in these different countries. The diversity of perspectives came to the forefront in class, and it was interesting to see how different students shaped discussions and approached various problem-solving tasks. I look forward to keeping in touch with many of these newfound friends for years to come.
Outside of study, I am grateful for the amazing opportunity to immerse myself in London’s culture. Being one of the most famous cities in the world, I was grateful for the opportunity to experience many of its unique drawcards and attractions and strived to make the most out of my time there. Specific highlights included seeing the famous Big Ben clocktower and Westminster Palance, attending The Lion King theatre show in the West End, and exploring the vibrant market culture of Portobello Road and Borough Markets. Each of these experiences gave me a greater appreciation for London’s rich history and the energetic atmosphere that defines the city. Beyond the famous attractions, simply walking through the bustling streets of London gave me an appreciation of the city and the global setting in which LSE operates.
Ultimately, my time at the LSE Summer School was far more than just an academic pursuit, it was a phenomenal experience that encompassed personal development, cultural immersion and global networking. The technical knowledge I have gained, the friendships I have formed, and the study skills I have developed will stay with me as I continue my university and professional journey. I strongly recommend this program to any students that are thinking of completing it, it was an extremely valuable experience.
A very special thank you to the UQ Liveris Academy for their support in making this experience possible through the Liveris Travel Grant.
