University College London (UCL)
Banking and Digital Finance MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 43,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* full time £43,500 - part-time ££21,750/year. Additional fees may apply
This MSc program offers a comprehensive study of banking and digital finance, focusing on how technology is transforming financial services. It covers core topics like financial markets, banking operations, regulation, and risk management. You’ll explore the latest innovations such as fintech, cryptocurrencies, and digital payment systems, helping you understand the evolving landscape of finance in a digital age. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students to navigate and lead in the fast-changing world of financial technology.
The program emphasizes the importance of understanding both traditional banking practices and emerging digital trends. It encourages analytical thinking about how new technologies impact financial stability, customer experience, and regulatory frameworks. Students can expect to develop skills in data analysis, financial programming, and digital strategy, all within a supportive learning environment. Designed for those interested in careers across banking, finance, and related industries, this MSc aims to equip students with the tools to thrive in a digital economy while fostering an understanding of ethical and regulatory considerations.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
This MSc programme is delivered through a mix of seminars, lectures, laboratory work, projects and practicals, which frequently draw upon real-life industry case studies.
Assessment is through examinations (short-answer and multiple-choice questions), presentations, essays, coursework, and your individual research project, which you will submit as a dissertation.
Full-time students can expect approximately 14-18 contact hours per teaching week. The exact number of contact hours, composition, and assessment varies throughout the terms.
Please note that some modules run as “intensive weeks” with an industry professor. These weeks will involve 25-30 contact hours in one week, with students expected to put aside additional time for self-directed learning. These modules are coordinated to ensure that no other modules run concurrently.
Modules
Full-time
The programme consists of 8 taught modules followed by a research-based project dissertation. The topics covered in the programme include aspects of:
- Banking and Corporate Finance
- Financial Analytics and Machine Learning
- Asset Pricing
- Financial Engineering
- Big Data in Quantitative Finance
- Behavioural Finance and Artificial Intelligence
- Decentralised Finance and Blockchain
- Financial Strategies and Risk Analysis
Part-time
The programme structure for part-time students encompasses a total of 180 credits over the course of 2 years. This flexible structure allows part-time students to tailor their learning journey, ensuring a comprehensive education that suits their pace and aspirations.
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Financial Markets
- Finance and Artificial Intelligence
- Big Data in Quantitative Finance
- Financial Analytics and Machine Learning
- Corporate Financial Strategy and Capital Structure
- Risk Analysis and Quantitative Asset Allocation
- Decentralised Finance and Blockchain
- Dissertation
- Principles of Corporate Finance and Asset Pricing
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
The programme consists of eight compulsory taught modules (120 credits) and a project dissertation (60 credits). Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Banking and Digital Finance.
What this course will give you
This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities.
- You'll get a postgraduate degree from a top-ranked university. UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide.
- Study in a dynamic learning environment at the UCL Institute of Finance and Technology (IFT).
- Benefit from insights from a cohort of industrial professors, who deliver teaching alongside academic staff.
- Take advantage of IFT's exclusive research and industry links, and attend seminars and exhibitions with leading voices in academia and industry.
- Join an MSc developed with input from industry leaders, government, and key organisations, including BlackRock, HSBC, the European Investment Bank, the London Stock Exchange Group, KPMG, the Bank of England, HM Treasury, the World Bank, and the IMF.
- Study in the world's best city for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2024). Our new UCL East campus is designed to promote interdisciplinary thinking and ground-breaking innovation, and boasts accessible, state-of-the-art facilities including shared labs and workshop spaces
The foundation of your career
Graduates of this programme have gone on to high-level positions are firms such as PwC, Wells Fargo, Credit Agricole, China Construction Bank, and British Land.
Employability
Our programme combines theory, practice, and innovation to give you the strong technical and contextual foundation you need to progress into a banking and digital finance career in industry, or progress to further research.
Networking
You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your Master’s.
- Engage with peers, industry experts and faculty members all united in their desire to help shape the future of banking and digital finance.
- Get insights into real-world challenges and learn from industry leaders from HM Treasury, World Bank, IMF, BlackRock, KPMG, and more
- Take part in our in-house events involving industry leaders, such as Conversations with Industry, where you get the opportunity to ask questions and network with industry speakers after the event.
- Join Fintech Connex, a platform that provides our students with unparalleled opportunities and resources in the world of fintech.
- Access UCL Careers for a variety of resources and events to support your career development, including CV workshops and 1-2-1 guidance.