Excel Optiver Challenge: Winter Term 2025

Taking part in the challenge has broadened my horizon on alternative careers and LSE modules outside of my curriculum. It will give me an edge in future interviews, as I know employers are keen to learn about how students apply their knowledge and skills to real world situations.- 
Michele, BSc Economics

Optiver Excel Challenge: Mastering Probabilistic Decisions

If you are interested in developing your Excel skills to make better decisions in a real world scenario, we have the challenge for you!

The Digital Skills Lab is launching a new Optiver Excel Challenge in partnership with LSE Careers and international market maker Optiver in Winter Term 2025.

The new challenge is open to UG and PGT students wanting to develop their digital skills, learn decision-making and probabilistic thinking through real-world scenarios in the current financial markets. 

Why should you take part in the challenge?

You will gain skills that will enhance your studies and are in high demand in the current job market. Equipped to make better predictions and improve the outcomes of your decisions, you will have learned the following:   

  • Probabilistic Thinking
  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
  • Data Manipulation (Excel)
  • Creative Problem-Solving
  • Forecasting and Decision-Making
  • Effective Communication and Presentation Skills
  • Sourcing and Evaluating News/Information

Work commitment: 

You will be required to attend two lectures, two group working sessions and one presentation workshop in the course of February (dates will be confirmed later in November), as well as the award ceremony on 7 March.

Challenge entry requirements:

Entry requirements (attendance to five Excel workshops or the two-day Excel Bootcamp) need to be validated this term, before the challenge starts next term. 

Register now, as places are limited!

By completing the pre-requisite sessions, you will have enough knowledge to execute the Excel tasks from 1 to 4F from our workshops's worksheets.

Once you have attended the pre-requisite sessions, please register for the Optiver Excel Challenge before 27 January 2025.

Don’t delay, start your Excel learning journey with the Digital Skills Lab now to enhance your studies and future-proof your career prospects.

We look forward to welcoming you to our new challenge!

Find out more about past Optiver challenges.