Executive Certificate in M&A and AI for Finance
Drive M&A-led strategic growth and AI-enabled financial transformation
Build the strategic, financial and technological expertise to lead modern finance organisations through AI adoption, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and enterprise transformation with the Executive Certificate in M&A and AI for Finance learning journey from Imperial College London.
Why choose this multiprogramme learning journey?
Lead with confidence at the intersection of two of the most consequential forces reshaping finance today. The Executive Certificate in M&A and AI for Finance is a 16-week learning journey from Imperial College London that brings together the AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact and Mergers and Acquisitions programmes. It is designed to equip professionals in finance, M&A and corporate development with the strategic frameworks and practical tools to create value through both AI-enabled finance transformation and strategic deal-making.
As AI changes how organisations assess risk, forecast performance, monitor compliance and make financial decisions, M&A continues to serve as a critical lever for growth, consolidation and capability building. This learning journey helps you identify the right finance use cases where AI can add value while strengthening your ability to evaluate, structure and execute M&A transactions. You will gain the integrated perspective to navigate transformation, pursue growth opportunities and create competitive advantage in a changing financial landscape.
As AI changes how organisations assess risk, forecast performance, monitor compliance and make financial decisions, M&A continues to serve as a critical lever for growth, consolidation and capability building. This learning journey helps you identify the right finance use cases where AI can add value while strengthening your ability to evaluate, structure and execute M&A transactions. You will gain the integrated perspective to navigate transformation, pursue growth opportunities and create competitive advantage in a changing financial landscape.
Certificates of completion
Earn three verified digital certificates from Imperial, one for each programme and one for completing the combined learning journey.
Associate alumni status
Earn associate alumni status upon successful completion of this executive certificate learning journey.
Live sessions and webinars
Participate in immersive sessions and live webinars with Imperial's faculty and industry experts.
Peer learning
Network and exchange perspectives with global peers through live sessions, discussions and interactive activities.
Case studies
Explore real-world business scenarios and corporate restructuring examples across finance, AI and M&A.
Weekly office hours and programme support
Receive guidance and support from learning facilitators and dedicated programme support teams.
Practical tools and applied learning
Strengthen your understanding through playbook activities, weekly assignments and hands-on exercises.
Continuous programme access
Access videos and learning materials for up to 12 months from each programme’s start date.
Key takeaways
The AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme will enable you to:
Understand the differences between AI, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI and agentic AI within financial services
Analyse financial data and apply AI-driven models for forecasting, budgeting and strategic planning
Evaluate AI applications in lending, compliance, fraud detection, trading and portfolio optimisation
Assess the ethical, operational and regulatory implications of AI systems in finance
Build stakeholder-ready AI adoption strategies and governance frameworks
Lead cross-functional AI transformation initiatives across business operations
The Mergers and Acquisitions programme will enable you to:
Recognise different forms of corporate restructuring and their strategic value
Understand the end-to-end M&A deal process, including valuation, structuring and negotiations
Evaluate strategies for successful post-merger integration and long-term growth
Analyse takeover tactics, international M&A and deal execution frameworks
Develop practical insights into contemporary M&A transactions and industry trends
Strengthen your ability to create value at every stage of the M&A life cycle
What you will learn
1
AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact | 6 weeks | Online
Explore how AI is transforming finance, and learn to identify high-value use cases, improve decision-making and support responsible AI adoption across finance functions.
Module 1: Foundations of AI for Finance Leaders
Module 2: AI in Trading and Investment Management
Module 3: AI in Lending and Credit Risk
Module 4: AI in FP&A and Budgeting
Module 5: AI for Fraud, Risk Detection and Compliance
Module 6: Strategic Implementation and ROI of AI in Finance
2
Mergers and Acquisitions | 11 weeks | Online
Build a practical understanding of the M&A deal cycle, and gain frameworks to assess opportunities, structure transactions and support successful post-merger integration.
Week 1: Programme Orientation
Week 2: Corporate Finance and Strategy – Review of Relevant Concepts
Week 3: Mergers and Acquisitions – Background
Week 4: Motives, Strategies and Empirical Performance
Week 5: Forms of Corporate Restructuring
Week 6: M&A Process
Week 7: Takeover Tactics and Defences
Week 8: Creative Tactics, Negotiations and Documentation
Week 9: Post-Merger Integration
Week 10: International M&A
Week 11: M&A Industry and Careers
Case studies
This multiprogramme learning journey includes real-world case studies and applied learning activities that connect strategic concepts with practical business scenarios across AI in finance and M&A. Through case studies, playbook activities, assignments and interactive learning experiences, you will explore AI applications, corporate restructuring decisions, valuation strategies and post-merger integration challenges.
SoFi and Adyen
Explore AI applications across the financial sector, including lending, financial services innovation and digital transformation.
Porsche and Volkswagen
Examine how the friendly vertical merger – negotiations for which took three years – between these German automotive giants in 2009 resulted in synergy valuation.
Daimler and Chrysler
Analyse why this strategic merger in 1998 – which was designed to safeguard competitiveness for both car companies – did not have the desired result, with Daimler later selling Chrysler at a loss.
Philip Morris and Kraft Foods
Explore how this acquisition in 1988 – notably the largest merger of its kind – was designed to allow Philip Morris to diversify from tobacco and Kraft to retain its independence.
ABN AMRO and Fortis Bank Nederland
Know why the 2010 merger between the Dutch bank group ABN AMRO and Fortis was rocky and complex, with several false starts and crises.
Who is this programme for?
The Executive Certificate in M&A and AI for Finance learning journey is particularly beneficial for:
Executive finance leaders, CFOs, VPs of finance and group finance directors responsible for acquisitive growth strategy and building AI-enabled finance capabilities across their organisations
Corporate development and investment banking professionals who source, structure and execute M&A transactions and want to strengthen their M&A and AI in finance fluency
Private equity and investment management professionals who evaluate targets, manage portfolio performance and need frameworks for deal execution and AI-driven financial analysis
Strategy consultants advising organisations on M&A transactions and finance transformation who need a single integrated perspective across both disciplines
Meet the faculty
Marco Di Maggio
Professor of Finance, Department of Finance, Imperial College Business School
Before joining Imperial as the Professor of Finance, Marco Di Maggio was the Ogunlesi Family Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and Director of th...
Marc Kitten
Partner and Co-Founder, Candesic; Visiting Professor in Finance, Imperial College Business School
Marc Kitten has more than 25 years of experience in M&A, transactions and financial markets, advising corporations, private equity firms and financial investors on growth, tra...
Become an associate alumni
Take your partnership with Imperial to the next level by completing this multiprogramme learning journey and earning associate alumni status. Join a global network of professionals, leaders and innovators shaping the future of finance, technology and business transformation.
Certificates
Upon successful completion of the learning journey, you will receive three verified digital certificates from Imperial, including:
- One certificate for the AI in Finance: Strategy, Applications and Impact programme
- One certificate for the Mergers and Acquisitions programme
- One certificate for the Executive Certificate in M&A and AI for Finance multiprogramme learning journey
FAQs
1
The Programme
How do I know if this programme is right for me?
After reviewing the information on the programme landing page, we recommend you submit the short form above to gain access to the programme brochure, which includes more in-depth information. If you still have questions on whether this programme is a good fit for you, please email learner.success@emeritus.org, and a dedicated programme adviser will follow up with you very shortly.
Are there any prerequisites for this programme?
Some programmes do have prerequisites, particularly the more technical ones. This information will be noted on the programme landing page, as well as in the programme brochure. If you are uncertain about programme prerequisites and your capabilities, please email us at learner.success@emeritus.org for assistance.
What are the requirements to earn a certificate?
This is a graded programme. You will be required to complete a combination of individual assignments, quizzes, and a final project. Each component carries a certain number of points and a cumulative score of 75% is required to pass and obtain your professional certificate.
Will I be guaranteed a job upon completion of the programme?
The primary objective of this programme is to give you the skills you need to be prepared for a job in this field. While eligible participants will receive career coaching and support and may receive introductions to our hiring partners, job placement is not guaranteed.
2
The Learning Experience
How much time will I be expected to devote to this programme?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page.
How will I spend my time in this programme?
You will divide your learning time between viewing recorded coding demos, video lectures, contributing to class discussions, completing assignments, projects, and knowledge checks, and attending optional live sessions with industry experts and programme leaders.
How is the programme administered? Can the programme be accessed anytime?
The programme is accessed through the custom learning portal. This portal will give you access to all programme-related content such as video lectures, assignments, and discussions. Live office hours will be conducted using a webinar tool. The video lectures and assignments are accessible weekly throughout the programme. In the event you miss a live session, a recording will be made available.
Do I need to attend live sessions every week?
Faculty video lectures are recorded, allowing you to watch these on your own schedule. However, participation in optional live sessions and discussion boards is highly encouraged. Live sessions will give you the opportunity to draw on the coding experience of our industry-experienced course leaders to answer your questions and help reach your learning goals. The discussion boards are also an integral part of the learning experience, giving you and your peers the opportunity to learn together, along with guidance from the moderators.
Can I download the programme videos?
You can download video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. However, the video lectures are only available for streaming and require an internet connection.
How do I interact with other programme participants?
You can communicate with other participants through our learning platform. You will be able to form groups based on your interests and location. A direct messaging feature is also available through the platform.
What is it like to learn online with the learning collaborator, Emeritus?
More than 300,000 learners across 200 countries have chosen to advance their skills with Emeritus and its educational learning partners. In fact, 90 percent of the respondents of a recent survey across all our programmes said that their learning outcomes were met or exceeded. All the contents of the course would be made available to students at the commencement of the course. However, to ensure the programme delivers the desired learning outcomes the students may appoint Emeritus to manage the delivery of the programme in a cohort-based manner the cost of which is already included in the overall course fee of the course. A dedicated programme support team is available 24/5 (Monday to Friday) to answer questions about the learning platform, technical issues, or anything else that may affect your learning experience.
3
Certification
What are the requirements to earn the certificate?
Each programme includes an estimated learner effort per week, so you can gauge what will be required before you enrol. This is referenced at the top of the programme landing page under the Duration section, as well as in the programme brochure, which you can obtain by submitting the short form at the top of this web page. All programmes are designed to fit into your working life. This programme is scored as a pass or no-pass; participants must complete the required activities to pass and obtain the certificate of completion. Some programmes include a final project submission or other assignments to obtain passing status. This information will be noted in the programme brochure. Please contact us at learner.success@emeritus.org if you need further clarification on any specific programme requirements.
What type of certificate will I receive?
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a smart digital certificate. The smart digital certificate can be shared with friends, family, schools, or potential employers. You can use it on your cover letter, resume, and/or display it on your LinkedIn profile. The digital certificate will be sent approximately two weeks after the programme, once grading is complete.
Can I get the hard copy of the certificate?
No, only verified digital certificates will be issued upon successful completion. This allows you to share your credentials on social platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
Do I receive alumni status after completing this programme?
No, there is no alumni status granted for this programme. In some cases, there are credits that count toward a higher level of certification. This information will be clearly noted in the programme brochure.
How long will I have access to the learning materials?
You will have access to the learning platform and all programme materials (videos excluded) for one full year following the programme start date. Access to the learning platform is restricted to registered participants per the terms of agreement.
4
Technical Requirements
What equipment is needed or the technical requirements for this programme?
To successfully complete this programme online, you must have access to a device meeting the minimum requirements, found here. In addition, Microsoft Office or similar product and a PDF viewer are required to access documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files, and transcripts in all programmes. Please check the learning platform on the first day of class.
Do I need to be online to access the programme content?
Yes, the learning platform is accessed via the internet and video content is not available for download. You can download files of video transcripts, assignment templates, readings, etc. Video lectures must be streamed via the internet and webinars and small group sessions will require an internet connection.
5
Payment Process
What is the programme fee for the programme and what forms of payment do you accept?
The programme fee is shown at the top of this page.
Flexible payment options, group enrolment benefits and referral bonus are available.
Tuition assistance may be available for participants who qualify. Please contact your programme adviser to discuss.
What if I don’t have a credit card – is there another mode of payment accepted?
Yes, you can do the bank remittance via wire transfer. Please contact your programme adviser for more details.
Is there an option to make flexible payments for this programme?
Yes. Flexible payment options are available for this programme. We partner with loan partners to offer you flexible and transparent loan options. More information about loan financing is available here. Installment payments are also available—you can find the options here.
Does the programme fee include taxes? Are there any additional fees?
Yes, the programme fee is inclusive of any taxes with the exception of GST for Singapore residents.
Who will be collecting the payment for the programme?
Emeritus collects all programme payments, provides learner enrolment and programme support, and manages learning platform services.
Are there any restrictions on the types of funding that can be used to pay for the programme?
Programme fees for Emeritus programmes with Imperial Executive Education may not be paid for with (a) funds from the GI Bill, the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or similar types of military education funding benefits or (b) Title IV financial aid funds.
6
Refund Policy
What is the programme refund and deferral policy?
For the programme refund and deferral policy, please click the link here.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Write to us at learner.success@emeritus.org or Schedule a call with one of our Programme Advisers or call us at +44 208 629 1765 (UK) / +1 315 509 2976 (US) / +65 3138 2451 (SG)
Flexible payment options available.
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