Financial Technology MSc

About this degree

The objectives of this programme are to enable students to understand new digital business models and how innovation through technology is changing financial services. Students will also learn technology skills in blockchain and machine learning applications in finance. As students progress through the programme, they will be able to develop quantitative finance skills and apply technology in the domain.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, presentations, written and programming exercises, and project work.

Careers

By taking this programme, you will gain a critical awareness of current issues and the development of financial systems and markets. You will also develop strong quantitative finance and financial technology skills as well as business and strategy acumen related to the financial services industry. Individuals who wish to pursue technology-led finance and banking careers will be strongly equipped through this MSc programme. Universal banks, mutual, pension and hedge funds, investment banks, governments, central banks, advisory bodies and new challenger fintech start-ups and technology companies should be prospective employers for you.

Employability

At the end of this programme, you will be able to:

• perform analytical tasks basic to the financial services industry (focused on quantitative finance), including the analysis and interpretation of big data
• gain a broad understanding of how technology is applied in the financial services domain in relation to business models, practices and quantitative finance
• apply strategic thinking on how emerging technologies are changing the financial services landscape
• deploy machine learning tools
• design blockchain technology solutions.

An upper-second class UK Bachelor's degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering or a similarly quantitative subject. Programming experience in a language such as Python, C++ or Matlab is an advantage but is not mandatory. Some programming experience means that you have experience of working on projects deploying code or have passed modules/assessments in your previous education with coding components. If you do not have this knowledge, there will be tutorials offered at the beginning of the programme, but you will be expected to get up to speed rapidly. A self-assessment test will be available to determine if you will need additional support for coding. A good knowledge of linear algebra, statistics and probability theory will be assumed. Relevant work experience is also taken into account. Relevant work experience is considered.