MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)

Entry year
2023/24
Course code
N3I212
Application
University
Level
Postgraduate
School
Bristol Business School
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
One year full-time; Two years part-time
Delivery
Full-time; part-time; starts September
Programme leader
Dr Yanhui Zhu and Dr Hisham Ihshaish

This course is open to applications. However, please be aware that we are currently experiencing a high demand for this programme and are unable to guarantee that we will be able to review new applications from International and EU applicants for September 2023 entry.

Page last updated 12 May 2023

Introduction

A course that equips you to address the pervasive impact of disruptive financial technologies. You'll gain a distinctive, globally marketable set of skills. This programme is jointly run by Bristol Business School and The Department for Computer Science and Creative Technologies.

Accreditations and partnerships:

Why study this course?

Financial technologies are at the core of disruptive transformation in the financial and professional services industries, with applications for operations and effectiveness spreading across the global economy.

There's a need for graduates with both the technical and business acumen to drive these developments forward to meet growing global demand.

The MSc Financial Technology at UWE Bristol has been designed to address the fintech skills shortage, by giving you the portfolio of technical and business skills essential to fast-tracking your FinTech career.

The course is ideal for anyone with solid numeracy skills and an interest in the disruptive impact of new technologies.

Why UWE Bristol?

Working with our experts in data science, computer science, finance, regulation, enterprise and business, you'll develop excellent technical data and systems understanding, as well as sound business knowledge of the industries where the technologies have maximum impact and application. At UWE Bristol we have world-class expertise in AI and business analytics that have fed into the development of this course.

Bristol is a burgeoning FinTech hub, with increasing numbers of employers and entrepreneurs setting up here to tap into the skilled talent pool and favourable business environment.

We have developed this Master's in partnership with some of the major players leading this development, so you can be assured of the high-level currency of the course content.

You'll have access to our well-developed business networks, work with employers and entrepreneurs, and upon graduation leave us with a distinctive and globally marketable portfolio of skills.

Where can it take me?

You could work in an investment house, bank, insurance company, services consultancy or new venture, helping to develop, apply and manage financial technology innovation.

Or take your skills into areas such as financial and data analysis, strategic business analysis, product development, app development, compliance or cyber security.

Here is a short video on the benefits of studying this course.

Structure

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

You will study:

  • The FinTech Environment - This module examines the nature of FinTech in the current industry context, exploring contemporary market developments and evaluating the challenges and opportunities presented. The module will employ multiple guest speakers to immerse students in the reality of market developments and highlight creative innovation in FinTech.
  • Finance for FinTech - This module will introduce you to the key concepts and issues in financial management, financial markets, institutions, and instruments to give you a foundation on the applications of finance. These three key areas will give you a solid foundation for you to understand the key products and developments in FinTech. You will cover the key financial decisions made by financial managers. You will then examine the key financial instruments, the concepts of risk and return, and portfolio theory. You will also study the functioning of modern banking systems, including financial intermediation, operation of payment systems, and the conduct and transmission channels of central bank monetary policy.
  • Introduction to Programming and Data Science - This module introduces you to principles of data science and programming with a range of applications to appropriate domains. It aims to provide you with an understanding of the role computation can play in solving problems and, regardless of your previous programming experience, feel confident in your ability to write small programs that allow you to accomplish useful goals. It covers basic programming, statistical inference and analysis, data analytics practices, data management processing and manipulation.
  • Interdisciplinary Group Project - In this module, students will work in mixed-specialism groups to identify, plan, prototype and develop a financial technology product, service or systematic data analysis. Alongside basics in project management, you will choose from a range of bitesize specialist workshops in areas such as design thinking and user experience methods, business opportunities and models in FinTech and emerging tools and platforms. You will work with a supervisor and with input from industry mentors to plan, prototype and test the project deliverable.
  • FinTech Dissertation - This module allows you to carry out in-depth research in an area of FinTech of your own choosing, determined by your skills and interests. This could focus on a contemporary issue, challenge or problem in FinTech, or apply enterprise skills by developing and evaluating a new FinTech product or service. The project will require you to work with an academic supervisor and in some cases, where a live industry project is being pursued, an industry mentor.

Plus, two optional modules from:

  • Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
  • Big Data
  • Data Management
  • Designing the User Experience
  • Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics
  • Information Security
  • Financial Engineering
  • Financial Investments in Practice
  • Fund Management  
  • Principles of Financial Intermediation
  • International Financial Crime
  • International Banking and Finance Law
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Information Technology Law.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different. 

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you. 

Learning and Teaching

Your learning will be developed through a mix of industry-inspired case studies, live briefs, innovation and creative problem-solving projects, and industry thought leadership in guest lectures.

You'll work regularly in our Bloomberg Trading Room and, if you wish, can study for the Bloomberg Trading Certificate alongside your Master's.

You may participate in business pitches and data projects, and work alongside researchers inour Big Data Laboratory.

And there'll be lots of opportunities to network with the regional FinTech community through seminars, conferences, module partnerships and live projects.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms

Study time

Expect 12-15 hours of class contact time a week. On top of this, we recommend spending at least another 24 hours a week on private study, to include library research, group projects, preparing for assessments and your Bloomberg activities.

Assessment

We make use of a range of types of assessment including applied projects, case studies, group and individual presentations, live project consultancy, portfolios and extended research reports, as well as exams.

See our full glossary of assessment terms.

Features

Placements

Students will have the opportunity to work on live in house projects with business partners and will develop close network relationships with potential future employers.

Study facilities

While studying with us, you'll have access to an extensive range of teaching and learning resources.

Throughout the course, you'll make regular use of our Bloomberg financial trading room, the same system used by large city investment banks.

You'll engage with entrepreneurs from our Future Space business incubator for high-tech science based entrepreneurs and innovators, and work alongside our Big Data laboratory for project work and skills development.

Open 24 hours a day, Frenchay Library has computer facilities and a huge selection of electronic and print books, newspapers, journals, government publications, statistics, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, company information, market reports and DVDs.

You'll also have access to extensive online learning materials, including your own online portfolio of evidence, Pebble Pad, and the Blackboard platform, to support the structured teaching elements of the course.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.

Get a feel for the Accounting and Finance facilities we have on offer here from wherever you are.

Life

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

FinTech needs a wide range of enterprising and creative thinkers to drive the industry, not simply data and finance specialists.

With your strong mix of technical knowledge and business acumen, you will be fast tracked into a rapidly expanding and lucrative market, and well prepared to exploit the many opportunities open to you.

You could work in an investment house, bank, insurance company, services consultancy or new venture, helping to develop, apply and manage financial technology innovation.

You could also take your skills into areas such as financial analysis, strategic business analytics, product development, financial app development, compliance or cyber security.

Fees

Supplementary fee information

See our funding pages for more information. 

Entry

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • an honours degree of 2:2 or above.

UWE Bristol's International College
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.

English Language Requirement

English language support

If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.

Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.

English Language Requirement

If English is not your first language, you will be required to meet the UK Border Agency and Universities minimum English Language requirements such as the International English Language Test (IELTS) overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.

How to apply

Deadline for application

The deadline for applying for this course is three weeks before the start date.

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information