Course Overview

This Masters in Financial Technology programme addresses the knowledge gap created by the pace of technological transformation in financial services and markets; it has been designed to meet the latest employment needs in the FinTech industry. Experts working in the sector have helped shape the programme to ensure it is relevant and up-to-date. The degree is taught at our Salford campus close to Manchester city centre.

The course is multidisciplinary, using industry-specific business cases from our contacts in the FinTech sector to blend the relevant hard and soft knowledge and skills. We aim to future-proof your learning and employability across fields such as blockchain, digital banking, crowdfunding, the future of global payments as well as cryptocurrencies, digital entrepreneurship, big data, RegTech and token issues. You will also develop skills in programming with Python. While the programme focuses on the technical innovations in finance, you will also gain insight into how marketing, regulation, economic policy and financial governance contribute to your essential knowledge.

Greater Manchester is an ideal place for you to study Financial Technology; as the Northern FinTech Capital, the region has strengths across FinTech sub-sectors, including data analytics, cyber security etc. FinTech companies form an integral part of the supply chain to a number of financial services companies and many banks and financial services firms have FinTech departments based in Manchester, drawing on local expertise and supply chains. With constant investment in the FinTech future, these companies offer you access to wide range of live projects, networking and, ultimately, employment opportunities.

The programme is highly industry-focussed and culminates in the FinTech Project. You will work on a live project briefed by a FinTech company to address a real industry problem and provide researched solutions, helping you put your learning into practice.

You will:

• Work on an industry-briefed project addressing gaps arising from the fast growth of technological transformation in financial services and markets

• Learn the latest market trends and needs around risk, insight, creation and how technology better serves FinTech companies

• Look at developments including blockchain, cryptocurrency, crowdfunding, regtech, insurtech, fintech lending and crime detection

• Gain the expertise to develop disruptive FinTech innovations

• Consider how digital innovation helps make financial services more inclusive, accessible, streamlined and better aligned with consumer values

• Learn a range of established Big Data and analytics techniques to critically analyse information and propose solutions

General Eligibility

Undergraduate degree

• A minimum 2:2 degree or equivalent or successful completion of the Graduate Certificate International Management in a business, finance, or economics subject, or a numerate subject such as engineering, computing, maths or informatics; or an equivalent overseas qualification.

• Candidates with a 2:2 honours degree in other disciplines will be considered on an individual basis if some level of finance/ economics/ informatics content formed part of the degree and you can demonstrate a high level of quantitative ability through your degree results.

• Candidates with a 2:2 honours degree in an unrelated subject area but have relevant work experience or relevant professional qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• The IELTS score for international applicants is 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in each component).