University of Bradford

MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)

What you will study

All module information is for 2023 entry and is subject to change.

First-year

Core

• Quantitative Methods in Finance
• Fundamentals of Financial Technology, Blockchain, and Value Creation
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Finance
• FinTech Regulation, Compliance, Ethics, and Risk Management
• Dissertation

Option

• Asset Pricing and Financial Markets
• Analytics for Finance and Accounting
• Accounting and Finance
• Corporate Finance
• International Finance

Learning and assessment

The FinTech program aims to integrate applied and theoretical knowledge with assessment processes that test both the knowledge of the discipline and understanding of its application and limitations. To this end, the learning, teaching, and assessment strategy for this program has been developed to help the student build their knowledge throughout their study to develop their research, critical thinking, and writing skills.

The learning will be directed, supported, and reinforced through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, labs, and project supervision, as well as through personal research and directed and self-directed study. These activities will all be further supported using a virtual learning environment (VLE). To facilitate learning, lectures will be grounded in active and collaborative learning and will typically utilize expertise from the School of Management faculty, industry experts, case studies, and problem-solving exercises.

The nature of the collaborative activities varies, though typically students may be required to engage as a group, develop and discuss a case(s)/scenario, and provide solutions based on sound analysis and logical arguments using information from varying sources. Students also will use the expertise of their peers and will gain the skills to lead start-ups and companies into the fintech revolution. Constructive feedback is provided by peers and the module leader/tutor during the teaching sessions. Tutorials will be in the format of discussion-based, problem-solving, and/or review and Q&A sessions, with oral feedback given in class.

Lab sessions will complement formal lectures and tutorials and will be an opportunity for students to do some hands-on work and focus on developing and practicing both coding analytics skills and coding-free analytics skills. Students will be guided to suitable primary and secondary (open access) data sources and be required to conduct research, analysis, and presentation exercises.

The assessment strategy of this program is robust, adopting a range of assessment methods, thereby aiming to be inclusive, and allowing students to play to their strengths while also developing areas of weakness. The skills and knowledge developed throughout the program are formatively and summatively assessed by a mixture of written examinations, coursework, group projects, and [multimedia] presentations. Assessment is integrated with learning and teaching to support and demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes for individual modules and the program.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programs. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work, and graduate vacancies.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programs, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career Booster

While studying at the Faculty of Management, Law, and Social Sciences, you will have the opportunity to participate in our distinctive career booster program throughout your course. The program is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and graduate attributes to be job-ready when seeking employment with leading innovative organizations. The Career Booster Programme offers you the opportunity to gain certificates in:

• The European Computer Driving License (ECDL) - the benchmark for digital literacy
• Sage 50 Accounting and Sage 50 Payroll - training that will allow you to develop leading accounting and payroll software skills
• Project Manager Professional certificates - giving you the edge when seeking to become a Certified Project Manager
• Big Data analysis and reporting skills - using Software and Services (SAS) that will lead to certification.

In addition, the program will also include activities to promote teamwork, confidence, communication, and many other skills employers seek.

Developing a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certificates will demonstrate to employers that you are not only ambitious but also take responsibility for your professional development.

Career prospects

In recent years investment in the FinTech sector has remarkably increased. According to KPMG (2019), global investment in FinTech companies hit $111.8 billion with 2,196 deals in 2018, which is almost double in 2017 in terms of volume of transactions. Also, the UK’s investment increased to $20.7B, up from $5.6B in 2017, accounting for the majority of FinTech funding for Europe.

FinTech has dramatically changed the financial service landscape. Financial institutions including banks are now offering an array of digital self-services, such as online banking and trading apps as well as digital tools for financial planning via social media and smartphones. Therefore, the company’s personnel must stay up-to-date and relevant with cutting-edge technologies.

As FinTech gains momentum year-on-year, there is a huge demand for professionals with specific FinTech skills. These skills can be classified into three categories tech skills, soft skills, and finance skills.

Tech skills include the ability to program, a solid understanding of databases, and working with big data, etc. According to the World Economic Forum, data analysts and scientists, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning specialists, are the major emerging specialisms required by businesses in all sectors. Other key technological abilities needed in the FinTech sector in the short and long term include:

• Machine learning and cognitive computing
• Digital currencies and blockchain
• Big data analytics, optimization, and fusion
• Distribution systems, mobile payments, and peer-to-peer applications

Finance skills required in the FinTech sector include an understanding of financial markets, financial institutions, financial instruments, risk management, asset pricing, and valuation.

However, a FinTech professional cannot succeed on the back of their technical or financial skills alone. You will also need to build a robust portfolio of soft skills to achieve long-term success in this industry, such as:

• People skills: emotional intelligence, communication & empathy
• Creativity & problem-solving Skills:
• Adaptability & flexibility

This program has been designed to give you these skills. You will graduate as a well-rounded, critically-aware professional, able to pursue a career in this fast-growing and diverse sector.

Duration

• September start - 12 months
• January start - 14 months