The Optiver & Oxford Trading Academy
For the first time, Oxford students will join the Optiver Trading Academy. Led by Optiver industry expert Robbert Pullen, this exclusive eight-session program takes you from the foundations of options theory to hands-on algorithm development and testing. Fine-tune your skills on Optiver's simulated exchange, Optibook, while blending academic insights with industry application, providing you with tools and skills directly applicable to a career in the trading industry.
You'll walk away with:
- A deep understanding of financial markets, options theory and algorithmic trading – no financial background required!
- Direct experience on a simulated market exchange, offering a glimpse into what it's like to work as a trader at a leading global market maker.
- The skill to design and optimise a Python trading algorithm based on real financial market data.
- An opportunity to test your algorithm and represent Oxford in the Oxbridge Varsity Final algo trading competition - the live trading showdown against Cambridge.
Course overview
- Market making theory: Foundations of market making, including options theory, evolving to practical data analysis and Python algorithm design.
- Hands-on practice: Build and optimise Python-based trading algorithms in Optibook, our real-time simulated exchange.
- Competitive challenges: The lectures and workshops build your knowledge step by step, helping you and your team refine your strategies in preparation for the Varsity Final.
- Varsity Final: On Saturday 21 November, Oxford and Cambridge participants face off in a live algorithmic trading competition, followed by a prize-giving and celebration.
Eligibility criteria
- A registered student at university of Oxford
- A strong aptitude in mathematics
- Basic coding proficiency - participants will use Python for this challenge
- No prior backgrounds in financial markets is required
Application procedure
- Complete the online application form below.
- After you submit your application, you will receive an email inviting you to Optiver’s Online Assessment Platform to complete the OAP test—a 30-minute assessment that must be completed within 3 days. Please check your Spam or Junk folder if you do not receive it. Should any issues arise, or if you do not receive the assessment email, please reach out to our recruitment team via email for assistance and include 'Oxford Optiver Trading Academy' in the subject line to help us quickly identify the matter.
- You will hear back about your application decision by Monday, October 19.
Key dates
Course duration: October 26 – November 21, 2026
Schedule: Mondays and Tuesdays evenings (17:00–19:30) - no session on Tuesday 3 November, session instead will be Wednesday 4 November
Finale: Oxbridge Varsity Trading Final + Prize Giving — Saturday 21 November
Applications deadline: Wednesday 14 October, 23:59 BST. Complete online assessments by Thursday 15 October, 12:00 BST (Midday)
Apply below for this incredible opportunity to enhance your knowledge and get practical skills in the world of algorithmic trading.