Careers in Investment Banking: 6 Best Banking Courses in 2025

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Isha

08 August, 2025

Careers in Investment Banking: 6 Best Banking Courses in 2025

Do you know you could earn an average INR 12.4 LPA as an investment banker in India? The average salary range here varies from INR 2 LPA to INR 45 LPA. At Morgan Stanley, the average salary is INR 31 LPA. Whereas, it is INR 38.8 LPA at Goldman Sachs, according to AmbitionBox (2024). These salary packages serve as a motivation to aspirants seeking to build a career in investment banking.

However, does every investment banking aspirant land their dream job? Is this the average salary for every investment banker? Certainly not. You get higher wages for your incredible effort, knowledge, qualifications, and skills. Investment banking is a competitive field. Employers prioritise those with expert skills, training, and qualifications. They offer competitive salary packages to hire, which is a valuable asset for their organisation. However, you might have a higher degree in commerce or management.

These programmes do not often fulfil the specific knowledge and training requirements. Therefore, top institutions offer courses in banking and finance. The duration for these courses varies from months to years. These programmes emphasise practical training, skills, and knowledge. Some of them even offer assured placements. This blog shall provide you with the best banking courses for investment banking careers. These are the top-notch courses provided by top institutions in India. So, are you ready to explore them?

What is Investment Banking?

As a part of financial services, investment banking focuses on large transactions. This banking type is used to organise complex and enormous financial transactions. It may include IPOs (initial public offerings), mergers, and acquisitions. This also involves releasing new security measures for companies, municipalities, and other organisations. Investment banking also involves advising about acquisitions, reorganisations, and mergers. As an investment banker, you work as an expert on the current investment landscape. Your role may include guiding your clients through a sophisticated financial world.

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Why Become an Investment Banker? 7 Evergreen Benefits


  • Offers you an emerging career in a multinational corporate firm.

  • Higher salaries, additional bonuses, and job satisfaction.

  • Provides you with a rewarding career, offering you name and fame.

  • Wide professional network and opportunities.

  • Expanded career opportunities across the nation and abroad.

  • Numerous future opportunities.

  • You would get exposure to current industry demands, including the latest growing technologies.

Why Become an Investment Banker

Explore the Top Banking Courses for Investment Banker Career

Investment banking courses are gaining recognition and becoming popular among finance enthusiasts. Since they are contributing to meeting industry demands and shaping career needs, the courses are becoming in demand in 2025. We have listed some of these in-demand investment banking courses that shall assist you in achieving your goals. Here they are:

1. FMVA by Corporate Finance Institute (CFI)

Corporate Finance Institute, popularly known as CFI, offers a range of training courses in business, finance, and insurance fields. FMVA is one of the best courses of CFI that focuses on financial modelling as per the industry demands. This could be your ideal course if you seek a career in investment banking, equity research, corporate development, private equity, etc. Furthermore, it is available at two rates. One is complete immersion, which includes personalised guidance with self-study features. It also has exclusive partners and might incorporate several additional benefits.

On the other hand, the standard price allows you to study at your own pace. This provides you with access to six certificates and twelve specialisations. It doesn’t include one-on-one guidance.

ParametersDetails
Course NameFinancial Modelling and Valuation Analyst
Institution NameCorporate Finance Institute (CFI)
Mode of Learning100% Online & Self-Paced Learning
Duration4 – 6 Months (Self-Paced)
Total Fees$847 (full immersion) or INR 74,357.49 (approx.)
$497 (self-study) or INR 43,631.26 (approx.)
Eligibility CriteriaAnyone with a relevant background and interest in finance.
Course BenefitsAI course tutor, ask the expert, access to other certification courses, etc.

Explore: Free Online Certification Courses in Financial Accounting

2. International M&A Expert by Institute of Mergers Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)

IMAA is an association of international professionals. This is a non-profit organisation under Webster University. It offers expert knowledge, personalised guidance, certification courses, and workshops about mergers and acquisitions. Among its various courses, the International M&A Expert is a professional certification. As part of this course, you would get an IMAA charter holding membership for a year.

It includes a year’s access to the IMAA digital library. Besides, the course is available in three ways depending on your choices. The first option is to pursue the course on-site, for which the cities are New York, Singapore, Zurich, London, and Amsterdam. Another method includes online live classes that include interactive sessions. The third and last is 100% online, allowing you to learn at your own pace. The fee varies for all three methods. While the online method has nearly 60 hours, the remaining two options follow a 30-hour curriculum.

ParametersDetails
Course NameInternational Mergers and Acquisitions Expert
Institution NameInstitute of Mergers Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA)
Mode of LearningOnsite / Interactive Online Live / Online & Self-Paced
Duration30 hours for Onsite / 60 Hours for Online
Total Fees$5,490 / INR 4,81,962.98 (Onsite)
$4,390 / INR 3,85,394.81 (Interactive Online Live)
$4,360 / INR 3,82,801.67 (Online)
Eligibility CriteriaYou must have an academic degree such as bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral.
Professional designation holders are also eligible.
Must have basic knowledge of finance and other concepts.
Course BenefitsFree live demo, access to e-library, international recognition, etc.

3. PGP in Investment Banking & Financial Modelling by Data Trained

The best banking courses for investment banking careers include the PGP courses offered by Data Trained. This is an online course that you could take after graduation. It is solely about investment banking and financial modelling. Therefore, this could be your gateway to investment banking careers. Once you complete this course, you will be awarded four certificates.

All of them are highly recognised worldwide. Furthermore, the course ensures that you are provided with job-relevant skills. You would get one-on-one career assistance. Batches would be conducted on weekdays and weekends. Besides, it boasts an average salary of over INR 6.5 LPA, which you may get after this course.

ParametersDetails
Course NamePG Programme in Investment Banking & Financial Modelling
Institution NameData Trained
Mode of LearningOnline
Duration6 Months
Total FeesN/A
Eligibility CriteriaGraduation with 0-3 years of experience.
Course BenefitsLive online training, 650+ hiring partners, placement programmes, etc.

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4. Certificate in Investment Banking by NSE Academy, India

The National Stock Exchange is India’s pioneering stock exchange. It offers numerous certificates for fresh graduates and professionals in the FinTech and BFSI fields. The course has a duration of 95 hours. The learning is conducted through online classes. Besides, your certificate in investment banking from NSE would be valid for a lifetime. This is one of the best banking courses for investment banking.

Moreover, the curriculum is divided into three parts. This involves valuation, key asset classes, and mergers and acquisitions. It could be your right choice if you are a:


  • Investment banking professional

  • M&A Advisory

  • Portfolio Managers

  • Finance and accounting professionals

  • Associates and analysts in investment banking
ParametersDetails
Course NameCertificate in Investment Banking
Institution NameNational Stock Exchange of India (NSE Academy, India)
Mode of LearningOnline
Duration95 Hours
Total FeesINR 35,000 + taxes
Eligibility CriteriaGraduates or professionals seeking to build a career in investment banking.
Undergraduates with relevant background in finance, business, or accounting.
Course BenefitsSelf-paced, skill-focused curriculum, etc.

Explore: Online Executive MBA for Professionals: Give a Lift to Your Career

5. PGP in Investments & Securities Markets by National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)

This is a postgraduate banking course for investment banking professionals. It has a one-year curriculum, during which you would learn various concepts. This involves corporate finance, mutual funds, economics, wealth management, portfolio management, etc. Pursuing this course offers you numerous pathways in multiple sectors.

This includes equity, debt, commodity derivative markets, banking and advisory firms, and mutual fund businesses. Moreover, INR 2,00,000 is the tuition fee you must deposit for the course. Furthermore, it includes GST, hostel accommodation, library, and other charges. Some of them are refundable. Pursue this course if you wish to explore various investment banking careers.

ParametersDetails
Course NamePG Programme in Investments and Securities Markets
Institution NameNational Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)
Mode of LearningOn-campus (Navi Mumbai)
Duration1 Year
Total FeesINR 4,58,500
Eligibility CriteriaPostgraduates from a recognised university are eligible.
Graduates with at least 55% marks from a recognised university.
Course BenefitsWide recognition, highly qualified faculty, hostel facilities, etc.

6. Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional by Imarticus Learning

This banking course by Imarticus Learning offers 100% job assurance. Imarticus is an edtech company that provides you with training courses.Enrolling in this course offers you an 85% placement rate. You could get up to INR 9 LPA salary packages.Its core modules focus on accounting and investment banking fundamentals. Later on, you may choose your desired specialisation. It may include collateral management, transaction monitoring, settlement management, and reconciliation.Here is an overview of how your learning journey would look with this course:

  • Pre-assessment
  • Enrollment
  • Domain Training
  • Aptitude and Soft-skills Training
  • Placement Preparation
  • Job Interviews
ParametersDetails
Course NameCertified Investment Banking Operations Professional
Institution NameImarticus Learning
Mode of LearningOnline & Classroom (selected cities)
Duration3 – 6 Months (140 Hours)
Total FeesINR 1,60,000
Eligibility CriteriaFresh graduates or graduates with 0-3 years of working experience.
Graduates who are seeking a career in investment banking.
Course BenefitsMock interviews, placement assistance, skill-based training, etc.

Top 5 Careers in Investment Banking: Exploring the Horizons

Accomplishing any of these banking courses opens your doors to various investment banking careers. Depending on your skills, you could land your dream job. Or begin from junior-level roles and progress to senior-level roles in investment banking. Here are several top-notch job roles you could secure after these banking courses. Also, explore the average salary prospects in India:

Career ProspectsAverage Salary Range
Investment AnalystINR 2.5 LPA – INR 31 LPA
Investment Banking AssociateINR 2.4 LPA – INR 37 LPA
Investment SpecialistINR 3 LPA – INR 25 LPA
Investment Banking ManagerINR 5 LPA – INR 30 LPA
Equity ManagerINR 2.5 LPA – INR 23 LPA

Source:AmbitionBox

Discover: Online Diploma Courses in Banking and Finance: In-Demand Courses

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Banking is among the most pursued courses in India. Many people across the nation, whether commerce, arts, or science graduates, seek banking as their career. However, investment banking is becoming an emerging sector in the BFSI field. Thousands of learners pursue investment banking courses to enhance their careers and salary prospects. Pursuing professional banking courses for investment banking careers boosts your career.

These courses focus on skill development and industry-related programmes that make you a job-ready professional for top investing firms. Some of these courses offer career assistance and ensure 75% – 100% placement rates. Besides, we have also covered investment banking courses that do not require you to attend physical classes. This means they provide 100% online live classes. Choose your desired course that aligns with your interests and career needs.

FAQ’s

Q.1. Which course is best for investment banking?

Certificate in Investment Banking offered by the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Academy is known to be one of the best investment banking courses.

Q.2. What is the best qualification to get into investment banking?

It is better to have a bachelor’s degree in the financial or investment domain with at least three to five years of working experience in a relevant field. With specific certifications after a bachelor’s, you may be able to step into investment banking earlier.

Q.3. Is CFA or CA better for investment banking?

CFA is a better course in comparison to CA for investment banking as it covers security analysis, investment management, and portfolio management topics, which are more investment banking-oriented.

Q.4. Is CFA harder than CA?

While both exams have a certain level of difficulty, the CFA Level 3 exam is considered harder than the CA exam.

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Isha Education Counsellor / Editor

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Isha Jain holds a Bachelor's degree in Literature along with a Diploma in Digital Marketing, bringing a strong foundation in communication and content creation. With over 7 years of hands-on experience in the education domain, she has crafted impactful content across various formats - ranging from educational blogs and news articles to video scripts, newsletters, and learner-focused campaigns. As the editorial lead at Learning Routes, Isha plays a key role in shaping content that empowers students and working professionals to make confident choices about online courses and career-building certifications. Her deep understanding of the online education space is reflected in her writing, which aims to simplify complex decisions and provide real-world clarity to learners. Beyond her professional role, Isha has also written extensively on lifestyle and digital learning trends. She is passionate about guiding students and loves engaging in conversations around career development on platforms like LinkedIn, Quora, and Reddit. Whether it's recommending the right upskilling path or demystifying online education, she has helped countless learners take confident steps toward their goals. In her spare time, you’ll find Isha reading, traveling, or playing sports to stay active and inspired.

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