Master of Science in FinTech

Course Description

The MSc in FinTech programme prepares students for higher financial and information technology roles in the financial industry. It integrates a thorough grounding in advanced financial theory and practices 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 Digital Finance. Graduates benefit from diverse experiences, combining courses in finance, management, and information technology to provide an overall analysis of financial systems, products, processes, business models and applications.

Students will be presented with 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:

The student will gain in-depth knowledge of: ·

• Develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of financial systems in the global and local contexts.
• Evaluate the functions and processes of fintech companies and how financial services are organized, delivered and evaluated.
• Identify and assess the value of financial functions in both the private and public sector concerning distributed ledger technologies.
• Appraise the mining process and confirmation of digital transactions.
• Assess features of digital wallets and how transactions are all translated into codes within the artificial intelligence units.
• Analyse cryptography security and the creation of coins to be used in digital transactions.
• Examine the Ripple ledger, Bitcoin and Ethereum authorized transactions utilizing the P2P network.
• Critically analyse and assess financial data to make effective financial decisions and manage financial services.
• Review automated algorithms and Robo-advisors for trading and investing.
• Interpret FinTech regulation and regulatory technology (RegTech)
• Critically explore innovative and alternative financing opportunities.
• Evaluate cyber-security and privacy challenges.
• Analyse the strategies to exploit the latest and future FinTech developments.

Skills: 

• Apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of financial theories and technology informed by current scholarship and research.
• Critically evaluate current issues and developments in the subject of disruptive technologies concerning financial theories.
• Interpret and apply methodologies for evaluating, analysing and appraising organizational practice.
• Analyse, interpret and assess the value of evidence in scholarship and research related to financial entities and operations in financial settings.
• Evaluate change theories in context of financial environment and challenges in technological systems.
• Critically evaluate how to apply financial theories to practice.
• Synthesize strategies to exploit the latest and future FinTech advancements.
• Implement systematic trading and Robo-advisors.
• Critically analyse cybersecurity and privacy needs and challenges.
• Employ data analytics and financial intelligence analysis.

Competences:

The students will be able to:

• Develop and implement financial technology to improve processes within financial institutes.
• Prepare and communicate information on complex contemporary issues in the financial industry.
• Develop a strategy which is in line with the current and future digital technology.
• Create a financial strategy related to improved delivery of financial services utilizing the latest technologies.
• Critically evaluate how high-quality digital services can best be designed, configured and delivered through the blockchain and other latest technologies.
• Formulate financial related management reports in a timely manner.
• Synthesize data related to financial management to identify risks.
• Develop and implement strategies for ensuring cybersecurity and privacy.
• Employ FinTech Regulation and RegTech (regulatory technology)
• Appreciate the latest developments in the financial and technology world to be able to prepare the organization for opportunities and challenges these developments might bring.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:

• a Level 6 degree in a related field;

OR

• a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 2 years’ work experience, preferably in the fintech

Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, Banking, Business Management, or any other area related to Financial Management. People with degrees related to IT will also be accepted if accompanied by solid experience in the financial sector.

Target Audience

This course is targeted at fintech professionals, including but not limited to:

• Financial Managers
• Bank Staff
• Fintech Employees
• Accountants
• IT professionals with experience in finance

Career Paths

The programme aims to prepare you for:

• Middle Management and
• Senior Managerial posts at any financial technology entity.

Modules

You are required to complete all 7 compulsory modules (42 ECTS), and only 3 elective modules out of the proposed 5 (18 ECTS), as well as the Dissertation (30 ECTS) to fulfil the requirements of this Master’s Degree.

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