STA Education
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As part of the STA's objective of promoting greater use and understanding of technical analysis we offer structured courses in technical analysis, which can lead to a successful result when taking the STA Diploma exam.
The STA Diploma is an internationally recognised qualification and is required to be a full Member of the STA (MSTA).
The exam is held in London in November and April each year.
Candidates may apply to sit the exam outside the UK at their own expense if a suitable exam centre can be found. For further information on this please contact info@sta-uk.org .
Technical analysis has become an important part of most investment house activity. The STA is the professional body associated with technical analysis. We run annual courses for both experienced and novice analysts. Courses are held in London at London School of Economics and The British Bankers Association and all teaching is by qualifed STA members. The courses are considered suitable for the annual PIA Continuous Professional Development Programme.
Foundation Course |
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STA Diploma Course |
Associate members of the STA can obtain copies of past exam papers by sending a copy of the request form, which can be downloaded by clicking here, to the STA Administrative address/fax number. If you have difficulty in downloading or reading the form, please send an email to info@sta-uk.org giving your name and postal address and a copy will be sent to you. Papers are available in a number of formats and can be E-Mailed to you if required
STA Membership can be part of the process of applying for the internationally recognised Certified Financial Technician and Masters of Financial Technical Analysis (MFTA) programmes.
Exam Preparation sessions are also available before exams, covering report writing techniques and offering an chance to clear up any specific queries before the exam. The next session will be on Thursday 8 April 2010 application may be made through the shop here or by using the application form here.
For further details of courses please contact the STA office:
Tel: 0845 003 9549, +44 (0)20 7125 0038
Fax: +44 (0)20 7900 2585
Email: info@sta-uk.org
Course Detail
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What is technical analysis?
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Technical versus fundamental analysis
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Charting and types of charts
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Dow Theory
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Support and resistance
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Trends and trendlines
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Retracements and fibonacci ratios
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Patterns
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Gann
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Elliott wave theory
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Cycles
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Moving averages
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Momentum
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Money management
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Putting it all together
The Overall Aim
The aim of the STA diploma examination is to confirm that the candidate possesses the professional knowledge, understanding and skills to pursue a career in technical analysis within the investment community. In particular, at the end of their training period qualified technicians are expected to have a good understanding of, and practical experience in, the major techniques listed below, together with a wide range of timing and analytical tools and indicators to enable them to select the most advantageous portfolios, trades, hedges etc. for their clients, their employers or their own trading systems. The syllabus is therefore designed primarily to ensure that students will gain the necessary skills to pursue their careers to a more advanced level in a professional manner, and also to provide investors with the knowledge and confidence in technical analysis that will enable them to make better informed trading decisions.
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Bar charts. Gaps, islands, key reversals. Defining price objectives from gaps and patterns on bar charts. Arithmetic versus logarithmic scales.
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Moving averages - arithmetic, weighted, and exponential. Centred, non-centred and advanced. Single, double and multiple moving average crossovers. Moving envelopes, including Bollinger Bands.
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Candle charts and candle patterns.
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Point and figure charts. Construction, scale, box reversal, objective counting. Advantages and disadvantages compared to other types of chart.
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Dow Theory
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Chart patterns, e g triangles, flags, pennants, diamonds, broadening patterns (megaphones), wedges.
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Reversal patterns and how to identify/anticipate them. Rounding tops and bottoms, head and shoulders, spikes, double/treble/multiple tops and bottoms.
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Trend. How to draw correct short, medium and long-term trendlines. Trend channels. Return lines and internal trendlines. Unconventional but useful trendlines. Acceleration. Speed lines. Trend characteristics.
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Consolidation - how and why it occurs. Breakouts and how to recognise them.
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Corrections: when and how far.
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Support and resistance. The various chart points and facets that can act as such.
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Basic elements of Gann theory.
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Basic elements of Elliott wave theory.
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Fibonacci series, fan lines, arcs and time zones.
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Cycles. Amplitude, length, phase, harmonicity, synchronicity, left and right translation. Detrending.
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Relative performance and how to interpret relative strength charts.
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Momentum indicators and oscillators including:
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Rate of change - Welles Wilder's RSI - Stochastics (%K & D)
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Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) & MACD histogram
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Directional Movement Indicator - Parabolics - Commodity Channel Index
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Volume signals and indicators, including On-Balance Volume, Volume Accumulator etc. Open interest.
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Breadth indicators.
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Sentiment indicators and contrary opinion.
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Market Profile™ including Construction, TPO, Point of control, value Area, Normal Day, Trend Day, Double Distribution Day, Neutral Day, Non Trend Day
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Investor psychology - individual and group.
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Ichimoku Charts, including Turning Line, Standard Line, Span 1 and Span 2, Lagging Line, Cloud construction and interpretation.
Murphy, John J. |
Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets |
du Plessis, Jeremy |
The Definitive Guide to Point and Figure |
Plummer, Tony |
Forecasting Financial Markets |
Prechter, Robert |
R N Elliott's Masterworks, the Definitive Collection |
Kirkpatrick, Charles D Dahlquist, Julie R |
Technical Analysis: The Complete Resource for Financial Market Technicians |
| Lambert, Clive | Candlestick Charts |
Sperandeo, Victor |
Trader Vic: Methods of a Wall Street Master |
Schwager, Jack D. |
Market Wizards |
Schwager, Jack D. |
The New Market Wizards |
The next STA Diploma examination will be held on Thursday 22 April 2010 and the next Exam Preparation day will be held on Thursday 8 April 2010 -
both may be booked through the STA shop here
Please note that students who have booked the complete course will be automatically entered for the Exam and Preparation Day.
Single Sessions
As part of our policy of offering educational opportunities to members, the Education Committee have agreed to open up the Diploma course to all members.
Following the introductory session, all units are tutored by specialists in each particular technique. This provides an ideal opportunity for members to refresh or augment their knowledge in a formal structured environment without having to commit to a long-term course.
Sessions are priced at £200 each, or £180 if five or more sessions are booked at the same time.
Sessions may be booked through the STA shop here
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7125 0038
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7900 2585
Email: Katie Abberton, info@sta-uk.org
For those unable to attend taught courses, a Home Study Programme is available.
Details of the course are here
The next STA Diploma examination will be held on Thursday 22 April 2010 and the next Exam Preparation day will be held on Thursday 8 April 2010 - both may be booked through the STA shop here