ShareSoc Education

The Investor Academy

Free, plain-English guides written by investors, for investors. Read a path straight through, or jump to the chapter you need.

Start with the basics Advanced topics
2
Learning paths
13
Plain-English chapters
Free
Open to every investor

No tips, no selling

We're independent and not-for-profit. Nothing here is trying to sell you a product or a position: it's investor education with no agenda except your interests.

Written by investors

Every chapter reads like a seasoned investor mentoring a newer one, people who read annual reports and attend AGMs, not marketers.

Learn together

Reading is the start. Put it into practice with our webinars and masterclasses, and around the table at a SIGnet group near you.

Path 01 · Starting here

New investors

First principles, explained properly, from what investing actually is to choosing a broker and staying clear of the scams. Seven short chapters; each stands on its own.

Start chapter 01
01 First principles What is investing? What you're actually buying when you buy a share, and how your money grows over time. 02 The maths that matters Understanding compound interest The quiet force that does most of the work in long-term investing. 03 The instruments Types of investment Shares, funds, investment trusts, bonds and cash: what each one is for. 04 Good habits Investment dos & don'ts The habits that compound in your favour, and the mistakes that don't. 05 Your approach Investment strategies Growth, value, income and passive: finding an approach you can stick to. 06 Getting set up Choosing a broker Platforms, fees and account types compared, in plain English. 07 Staying safe Avoiding investment scams How to spot a pitch that's too good to be true, before it costs you.
Path 02 · Going deeper

Advanced topics

Own like a professional. The mechanics of accounts, meetings and governance that turn holding shares into being a shareholder.

Start chapter 01
01 How you hold shares Nominee accounts How shares held through your platform really work, and which rights you keep. 02 Reading the numbers Annual reports How to read one in an hour and come away knowing what matters. 03 Using your vote General meetings AGMs in practice: your questions, your vote, your company. 04 Judging the board Understanding corporate governance Boards, remuneration and audit: how to judge whether a company is well run. 05 Market mechanics What is short selling? What it is, why it happens, and what it can tell you about a share. 06 Smaller companies AIM company scorecard A practical checklist for sizing up smaller, younger companies.
Beyond the guides

ShareSoc Masterclasses

Live deep-dives with expert speakers throughout the year, from portfolio construction to reading an annual report. Public sessions are open to everyone; full members get access to every recording.

Upcoming masterclasses Watch public recordings
  • Expert speakers, with time for your questions
  • Recordings to revisit, included with full membership
  • Recommended reading lists and book reviews to go further

Learning is better together

Join a SIGnet group to talk it through with investors like you — or become a member and put the Academy into practice.

Become a member Find a SIGnet group