Students can now trade on world markets

The new software has been sponsored by OSTC, a world leading proprietary trading company, and was organised by OSTC’s Brighton Office Managing Director Sam Baker, a University of Brighton graduate. 

Students can now trade in all major asset classes including commodities including cocoa, sugar coffee, and in energies, currencies and interest rates.

Sam, who graduated in 2003 with Business Administration BA(Hons), has been closely involved with the University’s Brighton Business School and the Student Trading Society for six years.

Speaking at the opening of the School’s new trading room at Moulsecoomb, Brighton, he said: “As a proud graduate, it is a genuine privilege for me to give something back to the next generation of students.

OSTC Managing Director Sam at the opening of the new trading room

OSTC Managing Director Sam demonstrating the trading software

“As a company, our vision is to maximise the potential of every trader and every trading opportunity. This new room will help achieve that aim – giving students both a taste of the industry and the tools they need to become the trading stars of the future.

“I get a great deal personally from returning to my former university to share my knowledge with some brilliantly enthusiastic students.”

The Stellar Trading System has been installed in 20 computers in the trading room, making the university the only institution on the south coast with the software.

Members of the Student Trading Society, staff and other alumni attended the opening of the trading room which offers students practical, hands-on experience of trading as part of their degree courses. It can also be made available to students for private investment and trading experience.

The software is used by OSTC in their 14 offices around the world and provides access to all of the largest futures exchanges. Students will be in a simulated environment but they will be able to trade using the live prices that OSTC have available for their own transactions.

Michael Batt, a Finance and Investment student and President of the Student Trading Society, said: “We will have the opportunity to accelerate and implement our knowledge of futures trading and this room will allow students to come together and develop their understanding of the dynamics of various markets.”

And Rob Hayward, Senior Lecturer in the Brighton Business School, said: “Our partnership with OSTC ensures our students get experience of financial market practise, and access to a global trading company. A number of our former students are now working at OSTC and we hope more will join them in the future.

“Providing students with the chance to gain practical experience to further enhance their academic knowledge is a key commitment for the Business School and indeed the University generally. The new trading room will give students the means to further test themselves against live markets and will ensure that they are better prepared for the financial industry after they graduate.”