MSc in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Course Description

The MSc in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency programme prepares students for the higher financial and information technology roles in the financial industry. It integrates a thorough grounding in advanced financial theory and practice with an understanding of the structure and operation of the financial systems.

This Master’s programme is designed and developed to prepare participants to become competent professionals in the field of Cryptocurrency. Graduates benefit from diverse experiences, combining courses in finance, management, and information technology to provide an overall analysis of cryptocurrency systems and applications.

Students will be exposed and given a curriculum covering topics on money and banking, international financial and digital currency markets, principles of disruptive innovation, regulatory systems, cryptographic systems security, and distributed systems structures, The degree includes an independent study approach in addition to providing the basis for acceptance to, and continued study and career development towards, a doctoral degree.

The overall course objectives are:

Knowledge:

Student will gain the knowledge of:

• The utility of finance theories in the development and functioning of financial systems.
• Financial systems in global and local context in relation to financial flows within systems.
• The importance of managing the modern financial firms.
• The functions and processes of fintech companies, and how financial services are organised, delivered, and evaluated.
• The value of financial functions in both private and public sector in relation to distributed ledger technologies.
• Understanding of the mining process and confirmation of digital transactions.
• Features of digital wallets and how transactions are all translated into codes within the artificial intelligence units.
• Cryptography security and the creation of coins to be used in digital transactions.
• The Ripple ledger, Bitcoin and Ethereum authorised transactions utilising P2P network.

Skills:

• Apply an in-depth knowledge and understanding of financial and blockchain theories informed by current scholarship and research.
• Critically assess current issues and developments in the subject of distributed ledger technologies in relation to financial theories.
• Critically interpret and apply methodologies for evaluating, analysing and appraising organisational practice.
• Analyse, interpret and assess the value of evidence in scholarship and research related to financial entities and operations in financial settings.
• Apply change theories to financial environment in relation to challenges in technological systems.
• Critcally analyse and apply financial theories to practice.

Competences:

• Develop and implement a blockchain technology to improve processes within financial institutes.
• Prepare and communicate information on complex contemporary issues in financial industry and use of cryptocurrencies.
• Develop a strategy which is in line with the current and future digital technology.
• Create a financial strategy related to improved financial delivery using cryptocurrencies.
• Critically evaluate how high quality digital services can best be designed, configured and delivered through the blockchain.
• Formulate financial related management reports in a timely manner.
• Synthesis data related to financial management to identify risks.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course will possess:

• Level 6 Degree and 3 years’ work experience

Preference is given to applicants having:

• Level 6 Degree in a discipline related to the Study Programme; and
• A minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the sector covered by the Study Programme.

OR

• Level 5 Diploma or Higher Diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.

Target Audience

This course is targeted at fintech professionals with work experience, such as:

• Financial Managers
• Bank Staff
• Fintech Employees
• Accountants
• Accountant clerks
• Employees with a financial background

Career Paths

This programme aims to prepare you for senior posts such as that of:

• CEO
• Managing Director or Head of Department of any financial or information technology entity.

Modules

You are required to complete all 10 compulsory modules (60 ECTS), as well as the dissertation (30 ECTS) to fulfil the requirements of this master’s degree. Total credits: 90

How you’ll be assessed

The course comprises:

• Evening classes for part-time courses.
• Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
• Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
• Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.

Assessment

Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:

• Modular Assessment
• Dissertation Assessment

The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules. 

Dissertation Assessment

Assessment of dissertations is primarily based on:

• Depth of critical understanding of the theoretical framework;
• Application of appropriate research tools;
• Critical approach to analysis, interpretation and evaluation of research findings;
• Depth and level of argumentation build-up;
• Original contribution to the generation of new knowledge/hypothesis/models;
• Scholarly presentation meeting academic standards