MSc in Financial Technology (FinTech) and AI
Southampton, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
19 Aug 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 32,500 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international students | for UK students: 2 september
** for EU and international students | for UK students: £16,700
Key Summary
About: The MSc in Financial Technology (FinTech) and AI at The University of Southampton combines finance, fintech, and applied AI to prepare you for financial services. AI and machine learning are embedded across the curriculum. You don't need prior programming experience; you'll build programming and data skills using real financial data and industry tools like Bloomberg terminals and LSEG Workspace. The university offers merit and competitive scholarships.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work in financial technology and innovation; AI and data analytics; digital banking and investment analytics; portfolio and risk analysis; data, AI consulting – examples: quantitative analyst, data scientist, AI engineer.
This master's degree brings together finance, financial technology, and applied artificial intelligence to prepare you for the rapidly evolving world of financial services. You'll build a strong understanding of key financial theories and concepts while gaining practical knowledge of computational methods and AI used in modern finance.
AI and machine learning are embedded throughout the curriculum, not offered as add-ons. This means you'll graduate with applied AI competence at a professional standard, ready to contribute meaningfully to banking, investment, and financial services transformation.
You don't need prior programming experience to apply. Whether your background is in finance, economics, management, engineering, or science, you'll build programming and data skills step by step with structured support. Teaching is practical and skills-led from the start, using real financial data and industry-standard AI tools like Bloomberg terminals and LSEG Workspace. The curriculum has been informed by industry evidence from organisations including the World Economic Forum and the Financial Services Skills Commission, ensuring you graduate ready for high-demand careers in fintech innovation, AI analytics, and digital banking.
This is a full-time, 1-year program running from September to September.
The first 9 months involve taught study across 2 semesters. You must study 5 compulsory modules covering: Artificial Intelligence in Finance, digital money and banking, financial technology, computational finance, financial risk management, and responsible AI.
You choose 2 optional modules in semester 1 and 1 optional module in semester 2 to tailor your studies to your career interests. The final 3 months involve an individual research project and dissertation. Teaching is practical and skills-led, combining computer laboratory sessions, guided workshops, and project-based learning using real financial data and industry tools, including Python, Bloomberg terminals, and LSEG Workspace.
You'll graduate qualified for high-demand careers in: financial technology and innovation, AI and data analytics in financial services, digital banking and transformation, banking and investment analytics, portfolio management and asset pricing, financial risk and model risk analysis, and data and AI consulting in financial services.
You'll have applied AI competence at professional standard and practical skills with Python, financial modelling, Bloomberg terminals, LSEG Workspace, and understanding of model risk, data quality, governance, and regulatory issues in AI-driven finance.
Graduates pursue careers in: financial technology and innovation, AI and data analytics in financial services, digital banking and transformation, banking and investment analytics, portfolio management and asset pricing, financial risk and model risk analysis, and data and AI consulting in financial services.
The curriculum has been informed by industry evidence from the World Economic Forum, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and the Financial Services Skills Commission, ensuring alignment with employer expectations for analytics and AI competence.
You're a strong fit for this program if you hold a 2:1 degree in a quantitative discipline such as computer science, economics, engineering, or quantitative business/management, and want to specialize in how AI is transforming finance.
You may come from finance, economics, management, engineering, or science backgrounds—prior programming experience is not required. You're motivated by real-world financial challenges, want hands-on experience with professional tools like Bloomberg, and are interested in careers in fintech innovation, AI analytics, digital banking, portfolio management, or financial risk analysis.
You're also someone who values practical, skills-led learning and wants to understand not just how to build AI models, but the governance, regulatory, and risk implications of AI in finance.
On-campus, full-time, 1 year. Taught in 2 semesters (9 months) combining computer laboratory sessions, guided workshops, and project-based learning with real financial data and industry tools (Python, Bloomberg, LSEG Workspace). Final 3 months: individual research project and dissertation. Based at Highfield campus.