Overview
The MSc MSc Financial Technology (Fintech) provides the latest information in computing for the financial sector, financial theory, ethical and regulatory constraints, and business skills. It combines theory with hands-on activity. Fintech powers the banking and finance industry, and has applications in several other sectors. The way we handle money is changing - a new concept of digital identity is emerging with the key concerns being digitisation/data, automation and safety. New, exciting and potentially lucrative applications and markets are being explored, including crypto currencies, social tokens, automated market makers, smart contracts, and open banking services.
The whole industry is taking note - from international banks to backroom start-ups, and a new kind of multidisciplinary expertise is in high-demand. To do well in fintech, you need to understand technology, finance and business creation.
Our MSc Fintech is one of the first offered in the UK and provides you with the latest developments in blockchain technology, digital currencies, internet computing platforms, data analytics and machine learning, financial theory, ethical and regulatory constraints, and business skills. It’s an innovative course designed for those looking to enter a career in the fintech industry.
Some of the activity in the sector is being carried out by the large, existing financial institutions, but a strong drive comes from small companies who are developing disruptive technologies. The global fintech market is booming and set to grow from $115.34bn in 2021 to $936.51bn by 2030. The UK’s fintech market is also forecast to reach $862m by 2025 (Investment Monitor). This means there is high demand for graduates with relevant fintech skills and choosing this course is the first step for you to build a great career in the fintech sector.
The course covers:
- an introduction to blockchain technology;
- digital currencies and smart contracts;
- cybersecurity and data protection;
- representing and processing data using Python;
- bank theory, operations and strategy;
- an introduction to corporate finance;
- data analytics and machine learning;
- fintech app development and banking APIs;
- investment regulation and ethics;
- heuristics and bias in behavioural finance;
- innovation management and disruptive technology;
- business start-up planning;
- professionalism, regulation and ethics in banking.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to give you the cutting-edge knowledge and skills required to work in the new and emerging fintech sector. Many fintech companies are small start-ups so business and entrepreneurial skills are important. Fintech is a disruptive technology, bringing great changes to the ways that banks and insurance companies operate, but also enabling new applications, business models and markets in various fields. You’ll be taught innovation management techniques to immediately make a difference in any organisation or company you work for.
Of course, fintech is also about technology. Being rooted in a computing department, the course enables our graduates to understand the role of software applications in fintech and contribute to their design and implementation, such as services exploiting the new open banking regulations, or disruptive applications supported by blockchain technology. You’ll also have the data analytics and machine learning skills required by new data driven models of financial services provision.
Work placements
As part of the course students develop a substantial project (1/3 of the overall course). Several of these projects are being carried out in collaboration with industry, both innovative start-ups and larger corporates, e.g. in the banking sector.
Flexible learning
The MSc in Fintech offers two start dates. It can be attended both as a one-year full time course or part-time over a period of two years, tarting in the Autumn semester (typically September). It can also be attended over a 5-semester period, starting in the Spring semester (typically January) and completing it in the Summer semester of the following year – no part time option for the January start. Learning is organised around materials provided online, contact teaching and tutorial hours, and an “open-door” approach allowing students a direct contact with lecturers, providing for great flexibility in the organisation of study.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Faculty facilities
State-of-the art computing facilities are available to Fintech students, with a 24/7 access policy. University facilities are also open on extended hours, often 24/7, including the library where students can book spaces for individual study and group work. A high-speed internet connection is available throughout the whole campus, and remotely via a secure connection.
Research overview
The MSc in Fintech, one of the first in Scotland, is rooted in the Mathematics and Computing Science division, drawing from its research on data analytics, blockchains and cryptocurrencies, security and mobile technologies.
It is also supported by the University of Stirling Management School. In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
The course is accessible to students with both a computing/engineering and financial/economics background.
Typically (for instance for UK students), a minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent, in either a numerate subject such as maths, computing and engineering, or a business and finance subject is required.
Some experience of computer programming is also required. It may take several forms such as Python, Java, C, C++. If you don’t have these formal qualifications but have relevant work or life experience, you’re still encouraged to apply, and specific cases can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The aim of the course is to give you the cutting-edge knowledge and skills required to work in the new and emerging fintech sector. Many fintech companies are small start-ups so business and entrepreneurial skills are important. Fintech is a disruptive technology, bringing great changes to the ways that banks and insurance companies operate, but also enabling new applications, business models and markets in various fields.
The MSc Fintech is primarily delivered by our Computing Science and Mathematics department, and includes important modules from our Economics, Accounting and Finance departments. The course will enable you to understand the role of software applications in fintech and contribute to their design and implementation, such as services exploiting the new open banking regulations, or disruptive applications supported by blockchain technology. You'll learn about data analytics and machine learning - skills required by new data driven models of financial services provision. Also, you'll be taught innovation management techniques to immediately make a difference in any organisation or company you work for.
You can study the MSc Financial Technology (Fintech) full-time over one year or part-time over two years (starting in Autumn), or over five semesters (starting in January).
These are the subjects you’ll learn about on the course:
- Blockchain
- introduction to blockchain technology
- crypto currencies
- smart contracts
- decentralised applications
- Cyber Security
- privacy, anonymity and cryptography
- access control
- network security
- forensics
- Bank Theory, Operations and Strategy
- theory to operations
- analyse money flows and performance
- Data Analytics
- machine learning and analytics
- text and sentiment mining
- data mining project management
- Representing and Manipulating Data
- Python scripting
- tabular, JSON and XML formats
- Financial Apps and Open Banking
- mobile app development on Android and web
- building open banking apps
- Investment Regulation and Ethics
- self-regulation in financial markets
- CFA ethics, standards and codes
- Behavioral Finance
- bias and heuristics in investment behaviour
- investment and inefficient markets
- Innovation Management
- innovation culture
- managing innovation
- team working
- New Venture Creation
- business start-up theory and practice
- business planning
- opportunity recognition
- Professionalism, regulation and ethics in banking
Some of the above subjects are optional and may be updated according to the evolution of the field.
For students interested in a January start, the duration of the course will be 21 months. For example, students starting in January 2024 will graduate in November 2025.
Modules
Course Details
Teaching
You'll learn from lectures and practical labs during the first two semesters from September to April, or January to August, depending on your start date.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed by a variety of assessment strategies, including written assignments, exams, individual projects, collaborative and group work, lab work, presentations and reports and a dissertation project. Assessment will be tailored to students’ special needs, where appropriate.
Classroom hours
A semester consists of 60 credits, with full modules of 20 credits and half modules of 10 credits. Depending on the organisation of each module, classroom hours may consist of lectures, tutorials, lab, group work or presentations, and vary in number.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £10,900 | £10,900 |
| International (including EU) students | £22,900 | £22,900 |
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are for candidates from developing Commonwealth countries, looking to study selected postgraduate Masters courses.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Fintech is a growth sector in its own right at the moment and there are opportunities across the career spectrum, from new and exciting start-up companies to established banks and insurance companies, and increasingly in new sectors, such as decentralised finance, provenance, open banking and open finance, digital identities, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, digital money, regulatory and legal businesses (regtech), which spawn out of or are fostered by the developing fintech area.
London is still the UK's largest fintech hub and there are a lot of fintech jobs at the moment. Edinburgh is now the UK's second largest city in terms of fintech opportunities and the Scottish government is funding initiatives to help build the Scottish fintech sector, e.g. Fintech Scotland. The Scottish Central Belt (across Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh) is now an area of major development in Fintech with a strongly integrated public/private eco-system. We expect the number of jobs in fintech in Scotland and world-wide to continue to grow dramatically over the coming years.
In addition, the mix of computing, analytics and business skills you’ll learn on the course will prepare you for a job in data science. Employment rates among our students are very high and careers requiring expertise in fintech and data science are extremely varied. Beyond specific fintech companies, graduates are working in banks, the NHS, marketing companies, the oil industry and in government.
Testimonial quotes
"Studying at Stirling has been more than just further academic studies. The FinTech and Big Data courses are run in partnership with The DataLab."
Richard Bradley, Scotland, MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)
"The course contents were perfectly angled to cover both the financial and more technical aspects"
Nicholas Cetoupe, Seychelles, MSc Financial Technology
"I was very good at maths at school and developed a knack for programming. I chose FinTech as it was a perfect combination of the two. I also liked Stirling's approach to the course which is very practical in every module."
Yash Ajay Vikhankar, India, MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)
Employability skills
When we designed our new MSc Financial Technology (Fintech) we spoke to banks and financial recruitment agencies and asked, “what are the ideal skills for finding a job in fintech?” Companies such as HSBC, Sainsbury's Bank, JP Morgan and MBN helped us shape the course with employability firmly in mind.
Here at the University of Stirling, you're also offered workshops on CV writing, interview technique and how to secure that dream job. Our relationship with employers and recruiters is strong and they regularly attend events at the University with the intention of recruiting staff.
The MSc in Fintech is partially supported by The Data Lab innovation centre, fostering innovation across companies and academia. It offers both a fellowship programme to selected students and events open to a wider audience of great professional interest.
Companies we work with
Stirling is associated with The Data Lab, which is an Innovation Centre with the aim of developing the data science talent and skills required by industry in Scotland. The Data Lab collaborates with the University of Stirling to help deliver the course, and provide funding and resources for students. You can find out more about The Data Lab from their website.
We develop our courses in partnership with global and local companies. We have a programme of invited speakers from industry who give the students a chance to ask questions of people who are doing data science every day. Recent companies have included MongoDB, SkyScanner and HSBC, as well as regulators like FCA.
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