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Waterford Institute of Technology

Global Financial Information Systems - GFIS

What is the Masters of Science in Global Financial Information Systems?
The Masters of Science in Global Financial Information Systems (MSc in GFIS) commenced in September 2012. The MSc in GFIS (Level 9) was developed in response to the current and future demand from the Financial Services (FS) industry, for hybrid finance-technology graduates with a specific focus on the application of ICT to Financial Services.

Developed in conjunction with a number of FS companies from Ireland and the UK, the objective of the MSc in GFIS is to enable high calibre graduates to rapidly develop quantitative, analytical, and ICT skills and experience, embedded in a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Financial Services.

However, the depth, standard and transferability of the skill-set and knowledge acquired on the programme, also means that graduates are in demand from companies in other professional industries.

Special Feature
The programme is delivered over a 12-month period whereby the first 9 months are spent on-campus at WIT, and the final 3 months comprise of a Professional Internship.

The delivery method is innovative and challenging, consisting of lectures, ICT workshops and e-learning, group work, industry focused problem based learning, presentations, a seminar series with industry experts, and educational visits to the headquarters of Financial Services organisations. The programme also integrates the research activities of the WIT AIB Centre for Finance and Business Research.

Entry requirements

Entry requirement
• All graduates of Business or Technology undergraduate degree programmes who have achieved an honours grade (2.2) or higher.
• Graduates from other undergraduate degree programmes, including Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, etc., who have achieved an honours grade (2.2) or higher, are also eligible to apply. In fact, undergraduates from Archaeology, Mathematics, Construction Studies, Social Studies, Engineering, Science, Business (General, Economics, Management, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, and HR) and Computing and ICT have all successfully completed the MSc in GFIS.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT's English Language Requirements for details.

However, this does not guarantee automatic entry to the programme. We receive a substantial number of applications every year, and on average, there are four applications for every position on the programme. Therefore, participants may be considered for interview and short listing. Prior work or industrial experience may be considered when short-listing applicants.

Duration

The programme is delivered over a 12-month period whereby the first 9 months are spent on-campus at WIT, and the final 3 months comprise of a Professional Internship.

Number of credits

Careers or further progression

The goal of the MSc in GFIS is to ensure that graduates have the practical skills, knowledge, and experience required to immediately take-up employment positions in the Financial Services industry. The majority of graduates from the MSc in GFIS are employed in graduate roles such as Business Analyst; Data Analyst; Risk Analyst; FIS Analyst; Investment Banking; Operations Analyst; Business Operations Executive and in policy roles in companies in Ireland and overseas.

Graduates of the programme may also apply for Post Graduate Level 10 studies, such as a PhD by Research, either nationally or internationally.

Further enquiries

Course Leader
Mr. John Casey
Lecturer in Accounting
Trl: +353 (0) 51 302425
Email: jcasey@wit.ie

Subjects taught

Semester 1
Data Modeling and Analytics
Seminar Series
Econometrics
IS Project Management
Financial Derivatives
Research Methods

Semester 2
Business Intelligence
Global Transaction Banking
Global Financial IS Security
Financial Risk & Regulatory
Corporate Financial Interpretation
Qualitative Research Methods or Quantitative Research Methods
*See Note 1

Semester 3
Professional Internship *(see note 2)
or
Financial Information Systems Research Project *(see note 3 )

*Note 1: Students can opt for an exit award of Postgraduate Diploma in Business (Global Financial Information Systems) at the end of Semester 2 having being awarded 60 Credits.

*Note 2: All students must complete all taught elements in Semester 1 and Semester 2 to the satisfaction of the Head of the School of Business, before being eligible for a Professional Internship.

*Note 3: Students who are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Internship will have to complete a Financial Information Systems (FIS) Project. The FIS Research project may run in Semester 1 of Year 2.

ICT and Communications Skills:
The programme provides students with training on a wide range of software including:

•SWIFT e-Learning Software: (1) SWIFT Introduction; (2) SWIFT and International Payment Systems; (3) SWIFT Guide to the Securities Market.

•Oracle, MS Access, and SQL
•ERwin Data Modeler
•SAP BI and Business Warehousing
•Advanced Excel Analysis
•MS Project
•StockTrak
•Thomson One Banker
•Financial Times
•SPSS
•Social media for business applications
•e-Conferencing/e-Meeting applications.
•Video Conferencing
•Presentation skills
•Report writing skills

Comment

Campus: Cork Road

Assessment method

Module Assessment & Examination
The MSc in Global Financial Information Systems (GFIS) consists of skills-based and knowledge-based modules, and this is reflected in the programme assessment strategy. The modules scheduled for Semesters 1 and 2 have a well-balanced approach to the allocation of Continuous Assessment and end of year Final Examinations.

The MSc in GFIS is underpinned by WIT's longstanding reputation for providing high quality, innovative, business and finance programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Thus, in the interests of continuous improvement of the programme, modules and assessment/examination schedules and allocations are subject to change.