MSc Financial Technology

Course Overview

Teaching and learning is intended to insure academic theory is augmented by actual practice. In this way, students interest in FinTech is stimulated by exposure to FinTech  practice. The practical, hands on assessment provides students with many opportunities and ideas to apply what they have learned to real world problems. The overall goal of this course is to insure graduates are prepared for employment in FinTech, and progression up the career ladder to the point of being capable of providing thought leadership in the field.

The MSc FinTech course is designed from the outset with employability as a key goal. The teaching team comprises university staff with a world class background in FinTech, as well as practitioners with a strong industry background.

Why choose this course?

FinTech is rapidly changing the nature of financial services. The MSc FinTech qualification provides key skills necessary for graduates to secure employment in this fast-changing field.

The MSc FinTech is a practical, hands on course giving graduates the key finance and technology skills employers are looking for.

While traditional academic theory is taught, the focus of this Master's degree is on the application and practice of theory. Students also benefit from FinTech newsletters, infographics, podcasts and presentations by industry practitioners. The focus of this qualification is two fold: first, cutting edge knowledge based on strong academics, and second, equipping graduates with key employability and critical thinking skills. 

Modules

Part I 

Compulsory modules:

• Banking and Financial Markets Regulation (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of the central bank and bank regulations within the economy;
  • critically discuss the risks faced by banks and how to mitigate those risks by using various business tools and financial models.

• Quantitative Methods in Finance (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • develop an in-depth understanding of the relationship between financial theories and empirical testing;
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge to the appraisal of empirical evidence using the mathematical and statistical key skills essential in investment and financial management.

• Financial Management (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • research, apply and evaluate a variety of financial assessment techniques for application to a case study;
  • critically evaluate and discuss various issues and theoretical frameworks used in the management and control of financial resources.

• Blockchain (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate an understanding of blockchain technologies for financial management, including the history, the motivations behind the invention, and possible applications in the financial, technological and economic sectors;
  • apply knowledge about concepts at the core of blockchain technologies such as transactions, keys addresses and wallets, consensus protocols, smart contracts, and distributed applications.

• Big Data in Finance (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate knowledge of how the big data revolution is changing the way financial and economic activities are conducted;
  • collect, handle, manage, analyse and making inferences while discovering patterns in large data sets.

Optional modules: (select one module from the below)

• Financial Engineering (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate knowledge of major theoretical tools and theories related to derivatives, specifically their application by banks, financial institutions and non-financial organisations;
  • use financial derivatives as risk management instruments for hedging, trading and arbitrage activities.

• Bank Financial Management and Financial Markets (20 credits)
  Upon the successful competition of the Financial Management module, the student should be able to:
  • demonstrate a detailed understanding of the pricing of financial assets by applying relevant theories;
  • critically discuss bank performance criteria and valuation methods, while demonstrating a detailed understanding of contemporary issues in bank management.

Part II 

• Dissertation (60 credits)

Key Features

The rapid adoption of technology in finance is revolutionising a once staid business. Consumers benefit from lower costs and faster results, while businesses benefit from being able to offer both existing, and new services, to a rapidly expanding customer base.

The application of technology to banking allows consumers to access a wider range of services at lower cost, while business can rapidly identify and secure new customers, while identifying additional services existing customers are likely to be interested in. 

Assessment

Most modules are assessed by either coursework alone, or a combination of coursework and work-based projects. One module (Blockchain) is assessed by a combination of coursework and a written exam.

Entry Criteria

This programme is available to Home and International applicants.

Home applicants:

Normally, the possession of a minimum of a 2:2 UK first degree or an equivalent international qualification recognised by UK ENIC or work experience of five years at a senior managerial level in lieu of first degree.

International applicants:

Normally, the possession of a minimum of a 2:2 UK first degree or an equivalent international qualification recognised by UK ENIC or work experience of five years at a senior managerial level in lieu of first degree.

Normally, English language proficiency at or exceeding an average IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent in any other approved test), with no score less than 5.5 in any components of the test.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Visit the Fees and Scholarships and Bursaries sections for more information.

Additional Costs

There will be no mandatory additional costs to study beyond the payment of tuition. Students should be prepared to incur the basic costs associated with study such as transport, and may wish to purchase coffees, snacks or other sundry items on campus.

Many students also choose to invest in study support tools such as laptops over the course of their study, though this is not a programme requirement. Any activities related to study or student life which bear a cost beyond tuition will be optional, and the expense shall be clearly communicated to students at the time of registration.

Career Opportunities and Employability

This qualification is designed to facilitate your career and increase your expertise in the fields of FinTech. Online advice and support is available from the UWTSD Careers Service as well as from MyCareer.

Questions?

For any questions related to the academic content of the course, please contact the programme manager David Coker.

For all other enquiries, please call us on 0207 127 7404 or email the London Admissions team at londonadmissions@uwtsd.ac.uk.