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Postgraduate study
Computing & Cyber Security

Financial Technology (FinTech) MSc

FinTech (financial technology) is an evolving technology which provides innovation and efficiency in the financial services. FinTech includes distributed ledger technology also known as the blockchain, big data and business intelligence.

 

Course overview

You explore topics including fundamentals of software for digital innovation, big data and business intelligence, contemporary financial technology, machine learning, blockchain and cryptocurrency. You develop theoretical, technical and critical thinking skills in applying disruptive innovative technologies to financial services.

The Advanced Practice route enhances your qualification by adding a vocational or research-based internship to the one-year master’s programme. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge. A research internship provides you with the opportunity to develop your analytical, research and academic skills by working alongside our artificial intelligence and machine learning research groups. We guarantee a research internship, but cannot guarantee a vocational internship. However we provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own vocational internship position.

There are three routes you can choose from to gain an MSc Financial Technology:

full-time - 2 years with advanced practice
full-time - 1 year
part-time - up to 3 years (can be completed in 2 years if preferred).

Download pdf Order prospectus

 

Course details

Course structure

Core modules

Big Data and Business Intelligence

You develop your ability to design and implement database, big data and analytics applications to meet business needs. A case study is used to follow the system development lifecycle. You develop a plausible application from inception to implementation for a real-world scenario.

You investigate the issues and technologies associated with implementing and supporting large scale databases and the services that are needed to maintain and access a repository of data. Investigations are undertaken in a number of areas including big data, data warehouses, integrating legacy data, data management and approaches that support the modelling and visualisation of data for a range of use views.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Blockchain technology is disrupting the financial industry and has many applications in payments, insurance, lending, supply chain, settlement of securities transactions and contract execution. You explore what a blockchain is and how you can create one with simple Python codes. You are introduced to cryptocurrencies and the technical concepts related to financial applications of blockchain.

You study topics related to public and private blockchains, cryptography, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether, smart contracts and applications.

Computing Masters Project

You undertake a major, in-depth, individual study in an aspect of your course. Normally computing master’s projects are drawn from commercial, industrial or research-based problem areas. The project involves you in researching and investigating aspects of your area of study and then producing a major deliverable, for example software package or tool, design, web-site and research findings. You also critically evaluate your major deliverable, including obtaining third party evaluation where appropriate.

The major deliverable(s) are presented via a poster display, and also via a product demonstration or a conference-type presentation of the research and findings. The research, project process and evaluation is reported via a paper in the style of a specified academic conference or journal paper. The written report, the major deliverable and your presentation of the product are assessed.

The project management process affords supported opportunities for goal setting, reflection and critical evaluation of achievement.

Contemporary Financial Technology

You explore the emergence of the FinTech industry through the lenses of the evolution of financial services technology, customer needs and user experience.

You explore the existing and emerging financial technologies sector, focusing on user needs, particularly the unbanked. You gain knowledge of user experience design for FinTech and use a high-level prototyping platform to develop a new FinTech service in a group.

By the end of the module you will have developed, and critically evaluated a new service and reflected on your contribution.

Digital Entrepreneurship

You gain an introduction to business innovation and entrepreneurial concepts, enabling you to apply inherent analytical skills to business design and realisation to gain the most out of the opportunities offered by the fast-moving world of digital business. You develop an understanding of the benefits and impact of emerging digital technologies as the core engine of digital native start-ups in our society.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subfield of computer science concerned with computational techniques rather than performing explicit programmed instructions. You build a model from a task based on observations in order to make predictions about unseen data. Such techniques are useful when the desired output is known but an algorithm is unknown, or when a system needs to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

You explore statistics and probability theory as the fundamental task is to make inferences from data samples. The contribution from other areas of computer science is also essential for efficient task representation, learning algorithms, and inferences procedures. You gain exposure to a breadth of tasks and techniques in machine learning.

Assessment is an in course assessment (100%).

Software for Digital Innovation

You gain an introduction to the Python programming language and its application to solving problems in digital innovation. This involves the principles of programming, the syntax and structure of Python, its relevant libraries and modules, and how it is incorporated in existing software tools. You form a solid foundation of producing software solutions to real-world problems.

 

Advanced practice (2 year full-time MSc only)

Internship

The internship options are:

Vocational: spend one semester working full-time in industry or on placement in the University. We have close links with a range of national and international companies who could offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and professional skills in the workplace through an internship. Although we cannot guarantee internships, we will provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own internship position. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge.

Research: develop your research and academic skills by undertaking a research internship within the University. Experience working as part of a research team in an academic setting. Ideal for those who are interested in a career in research or academia.


 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You learn about concepts and methods primarily through keynote lectures, labs and tutorials using case studies and examples. Lectures include presentations from guest speakers from industry. Critical reflection is key to successful problem solving and essential to the creative process. You develop your own reflective practice at an advanced level, then test and assess your solutions against criteria that you develop in the light of your research.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your subject-specific knowledge, cognitive and intellectual skills and transferable skills applicable to the workplace. The assessments include assignments, tests, case studies, presentations, research proposal and literature review, and the production of a dissertation. The assessments may include individual or group essays or reports. You are also assessed on your presentation skills and report writing where appropriate.

 

Entry requirements

Normally a 2.2 honours degree, or equivalent, in any subject area. Relevant experience may also be considered.

You learn computational methods, data analytics, mathematics for business and basic programming, therefore a first-degree subject with significant analytical or technical elements is ideal (business, management, finance, engineering, life/physical science, computing, IT, computer games, animation, mathematics, technology). For other subjects, you will need to evidence an aptitude for quickly developing basic analytical skills, such as strong GCSEs in maths and science.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

 

Employability

Career opportunities

You can expect to find employment in one of the increasing number of sectors needing specialists equipped with the cutting-edge expertise in financial and digital technologies. The course provides you with directly transferable skills for a career in a range of industries in the finance sector, as well as progression opportunities to PhD research.

We create opportunities for you to meet and network with our industry partners through events such as our ExpoSeries. These events enable our students to showcase their work to industry. ExpoTees is the pinnacle of the ExpoSeries with over 100 businesses from across the UK coming to the campus to meet our exceptional students, with a view to recruitment.

Work placement

Students on the two-year full time course take a 60 credit Advanced Practice module

 

Information for international applicants

Qualifications

International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

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Useful information

Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

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Full-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£7,365 a year

£4,770 a year with advanced practice

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

£10,000 a year with advanced practice

More details about our fees for international applicants

  • Length: 1 year, or 2 years with Advanced Practice
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates

Apply now (full-time)

 

Part-time

2024/25 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£820 for each 20 credits

More details about our fees

  • Length: Up to 3 years
  • Attendance: 1 or 2 days a week
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates

Apply now (part-time)

Apply now (part-time)

 

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Get in touch

UK students

Email: scedtadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


More international contacts

 

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