Fintech Management

For the aspiring FinTech (financial technology) leader, this degree provides a solid grounding in key aspects of FinTech, while focusing on its all-important business side too.

Rather than a purely technical course, this FinTech Management course includes modules on business analysis, behavioural finance, and project management, to develop well-rounded professionals ready to meet the demands of current and future FinTech jobs.

The MSc FinTech Management programme comprises ten 15-credit modules and you will get the chance to put your learnings into practice as part of your 30-credit dissertation, which can take a work-based focus.

You will be taught by leading academics who have played a key role in establishing Northern Ireland as a global FinTech hub, including Professor Daniel Broby, who is responsible for leading Ulster's innovative research and collaboration with industry to help build the country's FinTech ecosystem.

Work placement / study abroad
There is no work placement or study abroad element to the programme although there is an optional work-based project as part of the MSc qualification.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Year one
Regulation and Compliance
This module provides an understanding of the regulatory compliance issues critical to a role in financial services in the 21st Century.

Project Management
This module provides an understanding of project management and project management methods. The module covers four integrated components: principles; themes; processes; and project environment.

Financial Technology and Data Science
Through studying this module there will be an understanding of the impact of FinTech and where the future is heading for financial services. This will also provide the understanding of how data science is at the core of transformation of the financial sector.

Behavioural Finance
The module aims to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of theoretical and empirical limitations of traditional finance theory and presents the foundations of behavioural finance. Students will have the opportunity to explore the opportunities for behavioural investing and systematic trading model design and be able to evaluate different trading models.

Year two
Financial Theory, Products and Markets
This module covers key financial principles and products in-depth including assets and markets, equities, bonds, derivatives, investment funds and taxation, investment wrappers and trusts. It explores the broader economic environment in which the financial services industry operates and looks at how economics activity is determined and managed in different economies and political systems. The module offers an introduction to financial services regulation and ensures an understanding of ethical behaviour and acting with integrity.

Corporate Governance and Ethics
Through the analysis of lessons to be learned from failures, this module informs and equips students to effectively respond to the challenges that the financial services industry face today. The module aims to investigate the key components for securing the highest standards of effective application of standards of best practice, conduct and ethics.

Business Analysis Foundations for Practice
This module is to address the range of concepts, approaches and techniques that are applicable to Business Analysis. This is to help develop skills and knowledge to support successful business change programmes within an organisation.

Financial Econometric Modelling
The primary objective of this module is to provide an introduction to econometric theory and techniques, especially linear regression analysis, hypothesis testing and application with financial time series. With extensive use computer packages such as Python or Microsoft Excel students will be able to use real data to analyse financial models.

Year three
Contemporary Issues in FinTech
The module will have as its main objective an exploration of the contemporary issues that confront FinTech.

Predictive Analytics in Finance
The main aim of the module is to provide the foundation for further investigations, with a focus on big data, in order to extract the essential management information that is pertinent to the financial services and FinTech sectors.

Dissertation
The Dissertation module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a research-dissertation investigating a topic relevant to the financial services sector and of interest to the student. The topic will vary, depending on the interests of the student and expertise of staff.

Work Based Project
This module is optional
The Work Based Project module integrates and further develops the knowledge and skills acquired within the taught element of the programme. The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to undertake a project relevant to the financial services sector and of interest to the student. The project topic will vary, depending on the requirements of the financial services organisation that instigates the project.

Applicants must:
(a) have gained

(i) a second class honours degree or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;

and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

If English is not your first language this course requires a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent. Visit ulster.ac.uk/englishrequirements for more details.

This course is open to international (non-EU) students (online only).

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

PGDip/PGCert - Online only.

Career options
The course has been designed to provide you with an academically challenging and intellectually stimulating study of the subjects and disciplines associated with career opportunities across a broad range of areas, such as financial services, FinTech, consultancy, and business analysis.

You will graduate with an in-depth knowledge of the core finance principles and a practical understanding of how theory informs professional practice, in preparation for a career in FinTech Management.

Whether you want to work in commercial banking doing credit analysis or compliance, be part of a consulting team or acting as the bridge between financial services and technology, there are a diverse range of options in this exciting and dynamic industry.

If you complete this course as a Higher Level Apprenticeship, via an employer, it will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in a real life organisational setting providing you with invaluable work experience.? It will enhance your employability and career prospects by building your confidence in a business environment, providing you with tangible experience and allowing you to network and showcase your skills to potential employers.?

[Note: The University does not source apprenticeship opportunities for students].