Private equity courses can help you learn valuation techniques, deal structuring, financial modeling, and due diligence processes. You can build skills in negotiating terms, assessing investment risks, and managing portfolio companies effectively. Many courses introduce tools like Excel for financial analysis, PowerPoint for presenting investment proposals, and databases for market research, that support making informed investment decisions.

Università Bocconi
Skills you'll gain: Private Equity, Business Valuation, Entrepreneurial Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investments, Financial Management, Legal Risk, Financial Modeling, Tax Laws, Entrepreneurship, Due Diligence, Negotiation
Build toward a degree
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Return On Investment, Capital Budgeting, Finance, Capital Expenditure, Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Financial Modeling, Financial Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis, Financial Management, Financial Acumen, Corporate Finance, Business Valuation, Cash Flows, Risk Analysis, Depreciation, Loans, Working Capital
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Skills you'll gain: Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Financial Statement Analysis, Business Valuation, Financial Statements, Financial Forecasting, Financial Analysis, Capital Markets, Financial Modeling, Corporate Accounting, Corporate Tax, Price Negotiation, Accounting, Corporate Finance, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Investments, Tax, Financial Accounting
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Erasmus University Rotterdam
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Decision-Making, Business Valuation, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions, Game Theory, Strategic Thinking, Financial Analysis, Business Strategy, Return On Investment, Investment Banking, Cash Flows, Corporate Finance, Competitive Analysis
Build toward a degree
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Private Equity, Negotiation, Business Valuation, Investment Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Portfolio Management, Financial Analysis, Entrepreneurial Finance, Liquidation
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Corporate Finance Institute
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Financial Statement Analysis, Annual Reports, Mergers & Acquisitions, Income Statement, Financial Statements, Financial Analysis, Business Valuation, Banking Services, Credit Risk, Loans, Capital Expenditure, Corporate Finance, Banking, Accounting, Capital Markets, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Balance Sheet, Financial Trading, Wealth Management
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Private Equity, Loans, Investment Management, Equities, Case Studies, Performance Measurement, Investment Banking, Investments, Portfolio Management, Financial Market, Capital Markets, Performance Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions, Resource Allocation, Financial Analysis, Asset Management, Market Liquidity, Entrepreneurial Finance, Derivatives, Business Valuation
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Corporate Finance Institute
Skills you'll gain: Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Valuation, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Securities (Finance), Investment Banking, Equities, Private Equity, Financial Modeling, Interviewing Skills, Financial Analysis, Underwriting
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Data Structures, Graph Theory, Algorithms, Program Development, Bioinformatics, Data Storage, Development Testing, Theoretical Computer Science, Computational Thinking, Network Analysis, Test Case, Programming Principles, Computer Programming, Python Programming, C and C++, Java, Rust (Programming Language), Javascript, Software Testing, Debugging
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export, Spreadsheet Software, Data Wrangling, Data Quality, Pivot Tables And Charts, Google Sheets, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Information Privacy
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Case Studies, Stakeholder Engagement, Business Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Corporate Sustainability, Governance, Investment Management, Portfolio Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Corporate Strategy, Waste Minimization, Sustainable Business, Investments, Portfolio Risk, Climate Change Adaptation, Equities, Finance
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Geneva
Skills you'll gain: Portfolio Management, Wealth Management, Risk Management, Investment Management, Financial Market, Portfolio Risk, Business Risk Management, Capital Markets, Risk Analysis, Risk Modeling, Asset Management, Performance Measurement, Investments, Market Dynamics, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Financial Planning, Finance, Equities, Performance Analysis, Business Ethics
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Private equity refers to investment funds that acquire equity ownership in private companies or engage in buyouts of public companies, resulting in their delisting from public stock exchanges. This sector plays a crucial role in the economy by providing capital for growth, restructuring, and innovation. Private equity firms often seek to enhance the value of their portfolio companies through strategic management and operational improvements, ultimately aiming for profitable exits through sales or public offerings.
A variety of career opportunities exist within the private equity sector. Common roles include private equity analyst, associate, and partner, where professionals evaluate investment opportunities, conduct due diligence, and manage portfolio companies. Other positions may involve financial modeling, market research, and strategic planning. Additionally, roles in investor relations and fundraising are essential for maintaining relationships with investors and securing capital for future investments.
There are several online courses available to help you learn about private equity. Notable options include Private Equity and Venture Capital and Advanced Valuation and Strategy - M&A, Private Equity, and Venture Capital. These courses cover essential topics such as investment strategies, valuation methods, and the overall private equity landscape, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Yes. You can start learning private equity on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in private equity, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Typical topics covered in private equity courses include the investment lifecycle, valuation techniques, due diligence processes, and exit strategies. Courses may also explore the role of private equity in the broader financial landscape, the impact of economic factors on investments, and case studies of successful private equity transactions. Understanding these topics will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the industry.
For training and upskilling employees in private equity, courses like Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part I and Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part II can be particularly beneficial. These courses focus on strategic growth and management, providing employees with the skills necessary to contribute effectively to private equity initiatives.