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MSc Financial Technology

Start date
September
Duration
1 year full-time
Course Type
Postgraduate, Taught
Fees
For 2024-2025
£16,290 (UK)
£31,779 (International)
Attractive scholarships are available
Study Financial Technology at Birmingham Business School *

Be part of the next generation of professionals in big data management, computer programming and key theories in finance with our cutting-edge Financial Technology MSc.

The Financial Technology (FinTech) sector has expanded rapidly in recent years and continues to disrupt established business models and processes. Firms across the world are looking for ways to adapt to these changes and make the most of opportunities and innovations in this area. Our MSc Financial Technology has been designed to help you future-proof your career and help you play a key role in the future of FinTech.

Who is this course for?

Our MSc in Financial Technology has been created for talented graduates and professionals with experience in financial services, treasury management, science and technology. The course will be especially relevant to:

  • top-performing graduates in finance, economics, science and engineering
  • those currently employed in finance and FinTech who wish to develop their expertise
  • those with a related academic background who wish to develop their skills in this sector

Why study this course at Birmingham?

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK for finance companies. The Midlands has been identified as a major growth hub for FinTech and is already thriving, with new investments making the West Midlands the UK’s largest business hub outside London. Our strong relationships with key employers in the financial sector give you the chance to meet and network with leading global organisations. We are the 3rd most targeted university of top UK employers (High Fliers Research 2023).

  • You will be part of a small cohort on this competitive specialist programme, allowing you to develop a closer relationship with experts, staff and fellow students
  • You can work on real time industry projects which combine theory with intensive practice and industrial engagement. Example projects include: setting up of crowd funding platforms, application of blockchain services in reducing currency frauds, developing algorithmic-trading applications and development of financial services applications 
  • Our Sustainable Finance and Innovation Centre provides opportunities for you to undertake client-based projects with firms, working with our research experts to gain hands-on experience with the latest financial tools and application-development softwares
  • You have the opportunity to take part in the award-winning Future Leaders Certificate. You can work on an exciting virtual live project set by a multi-national company, giving you a clear understanding of the impact technology is having on the business world and the implications for your own career
  • This course focuses on real-world investment challenges with emphasis on ethical and sustainable business practices. Find out how we are working for a responsible future at Birmingham.

AI and Data Science Masters Scholarships for 2024 entry

We are offering £10,000 scholarships to upskill students from under-represented backgrounds to progress into the AI and Data Science workforce.

Apply now

Discover our unique scholarship offers

Students walking on University campusAt Birmingham Business School we offer a wide variety of scholarships for our new MSc students in 2024.

These awards are available to both UK and international applicants and range in value from partial to full tuition fee support.

Find out more about our scholarship offers

*An audio-described version of the course video is available.

 

There is a tangible and an inclusive need for professionals who are highly trained in these technologies, and with such momentum currently behind Financial Services in the region, there has never been a better time to develop these skills in Birmingham.

Joel Blake OBE, CEO, GFA Exchange

Modules

This course will give you essential hands-on experience and knowledge of corporate finance, asset pricing and project completion using real-time data from our databases, including Bloomberg, DataStream, WDRS, Compustat and more. 

You will work with leading academics within programming, technology and finance.  You will be taught by industry experts, gaining hands-on and theoretical experience in Big Data Management, machine learning and Blockchain Technology.

You will learn computer programming using Python, and you will gain a deep, critical knowledge of block chain and other forms of distributed ledger technology, and their possible uses in finance. You will be able to critically apply a range of techniques, including Deep Learning Techniques and Reinforcement Learning, to manage Big Data, and be well versed in regulatory and social responsibility issues around cyber security.

All modules below are worth 20 credits, with the exception of your Individual Project, which is worth 60 credits. Unless indicated otherwise the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2024.

Core modules

You must take the following modules. 

Optional modules

Choose one of the following:


Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Fees for 2024 - 2025

  • £16,290 (UK)
  • £31,779 (International)

Please note that you will be required to pay a £50 non-refundable application fee for all of the above courses.

  • For further information on programme fees and information please visit our Fees and Financing page.

Scholarships

  • For information on scholarships you may be eligible to apply for, please use our PG Funding Database.
  • Business School Scholarships may be available, find out more about our scholarships.

Additional Course Costs

  • In addition to the Tuition Fees you will need to consider accommodation, living expenses and daily costs. You can find financial advice and support on our Finance pages.
  • For information on our accommodation and services, including the support we offer to students wanting to rent privately, please visit the Accommodation pages.
  • Questions about funding? Use our Student Help knowledge base to find the answer.

How To Apply

7 May 2024 is the application deadline for international students applying through the student route who wish to study in the United Kingdom. We are not able to consider applications for 2024 made after this date. The deadline for Home students is 30 August 2024.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Apply now

Our Standard Requirements

In order to be considered, applicants will have or should be expecting to achieve an Honours degree (2:1 or higher) or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent) in a highly quantitative subject (such as Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Finance or Science).

Applicants must also have obtained GCE A-Level grade A (or overseas equivalent) in Mathematics, or be proficient in probability, calculus, algebra or real analysis at undergraduate level. If necessary we will assess the latter by looking at the academic transcript for performance in mathematical, quantitative and statistics related modules. Good programming skills and/or two years relevant work experience are not strict requirements but will add weight to an application.

Applicants who demonstrate being able to exceed the minimum entry requirements will be given preference.

Find out more about entry requirements 

Mathematics for Data Science Pre-sessional Bootcamp

To accompany the support offered to the under-represented groups that the AI and Data Science Masters Scholarship will benefit, we are offering a Mathematics for Data Science Pre-sessional Bootcamp to all Home and International students intending to study one of one the nine applicable degrees. This pre-sessional course will provide students with confidence in their mathematical skills expected for their Masters study.

Admission to this bootcamp does not include direct progression onto the MSc degree; you will need submit a study application for admission onto the MSc.

Apply now  

International Requirements



International Students

Standard English language requirements apply.

  • IELTS 6.5 with no less that 6.0 in any band
  • TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) including online: PTE Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015): Advanced – minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component

If you are currently studying at a Chinese university, please view our specific entry requirements including our list of acceptable universities for further study at Birmingham.

English Presessional Programmes 

If you’re looking to improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham, our pre-sessional English courses are for you. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications. Find out more 

You will be working in small teaching groups, allowing you to work closely with industry experts, staff and fellow students. You will also benefit from the expertise from both our Triple Crown accredited Birmingham Business School and the School of Computer Science

A high-class learning environment

Students outside the Alan Walters BuildingAs a postgraduate student, you will have access to our award-winning £10 million postgraduate teaching space, the Alan Walters Building. This will provide you with access to facilities of the highest quality, including a state-of-the-art lecture theatre, dedicated computer clusters and seminar rooms as well as communal areas for studying and group work, which look out over the University's ambitious Green Heart development, which was completed in 2019.

Assessment Methods

Assessments focus on real-world challenges and help you to develop self-confidence to deal with the global investment and finance communities. Assessment methods include a combination of case studies, participative exercises, interactive lectures, presentations, written exams and group projects.

 

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the UK for finance companies, and the West Midlands is home to major hubs for firms such as Specialist Computer Holdings, IBM, CGI, Advanced, Lombard Risk and Reynolds & Reynolds. Our proximity to London, the global financial capital, and ever-growing relationship with key employers in the financial sector, will provide you with the opportunity to meet and network with leading global organisations. 

Excellent career prospects

Graduates will leave Birmingham perfectly placed to take up key FinTech roles in banks, investment institutions, insurance companies, pension funds, government institutions and consultancy. We also provide ongoing careers support for international students who wish to work in the UK after graduation.

Top jobs in FinTech include:

  • Blockchain developer
  • Apps developer
  • Financial analyst
  • Product manager
  • Compliance expert
  • Cybersecurity analyst
  • Quantitative analyst
  • Business development manager
  • Data specialist

We pride ourselves on our graduates’ high levels of employability. We will help you to plan, manage and achieve your career goals, giving you the competitive edge when it is time to start job hunting.

Many employers visit the Business School to run seminars for our students. In fact, companies such as IBM, HSBC, and Deloitte are just a few of the organisations who see these sessions as an opportunity to look for suitable candidates for internship programmes and graduate training schemes.

BBS Careers and Careers Network

As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.  

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.   

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.  

BBS Careers is one of a few, if not the only business school career service to offer life-long support.  

We are here to support you! Whether you are applying for postgraduate end-of-study internship, a graduate job, or applying for a management role five years after graduation.  

Visit the BBS website for more details

Future Leaders Certificate

The postgraduate Future Leaders Certificate, run by the Birmingham Business School Careers team, is an extra-curricular programme which is designed to prepare our MSc students for the potential impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This is intended to equip students with the skills they need to stand out and succeed within this increasingly competitive market. As part of this, students will be encouraged to increase their awareness of responsible business and ethical considerations.

Students selected for the Future Leaders Certificate will receive expert coaching, mentoring and industry insight, and work on a group project set by multi-national companies which place high importance on their social and corporate responsibility. 

 

I believe the FinTech industry is an exciting space to join for professionals passionate about the financial services industry and how it is being disrupted and democratised by technology. The government has also shared how much they want the UK to be a leader in FinTech post Brexit. This detailed course is a great way to understand the current FinTech landscape and build relevant skills such as coding and understanding of venture and corporate finance.

Mary Agbesanwa, Scale FinTech Programme Lead, PwC