FinTech Management - MSc
2023/24 Part-time Postgraduate course
Award:
Master of Science
Faculty:
Ulster University Business School
School:
Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics
Campus:
Belfast campus
Start date:
September 2023
Overview
Managing the transformation of traditional finance through financial technology (FinTech).
Summary
The Professional Services sector is one of the biggest employers in the UK. If you are looking for a financially rewarding and a professionally satisfying career, the MSc FinTech Management course is a fantastic stepping stone to achieving this goal.
The fluidity and fast pace that comes with a career in the financial services and FinTech industries is unparalleled. The course has been designed to ensure that the theory you learn is relevant to the modern dynamic environment. You will explore areas such as financial theory, products and markets, corporate governance and ethics, behavioural finance, regulation and compliance, project management, business analysis, financial technology, and much more.
We’d love to hear from you!
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
- Course specific information
- Fees and Finance
- Admissions
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
About this course
In this section
About
You will be enabled to critically evaluate new ideas and assess developments within the financial services' technological environment. You will develop an awareness of the international financial and professional services environment and gain an appreciation of professional ethical standards and conduct. By learning to analyse financial problems critically, rationally and rigorously, and to creatively and systematically apply knowledge and understanding of finance concepts to complex issues, you will graduate ready for a diverse range of opportunities in financial services, technology, and consultancy. You will also develop a capacity for logical reasoning, creative thinking, adaptability, resilience, and effective communication; all important skills that employers are seeking.
Depending on meeting eligibility criteria, you may have the opportunity to take this degree as part of a Higher Level Apprenticeship Scheme. For more information contact the Course Director (see contact section).
Attendance
For the exit award of Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), 60 credit-points (four specified compulsory modules) are required; Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) 120 credit-points (eight specified compulsory modules) are required; and for the award of the MSc 180 credit-points (ten specified modules plus either the Dissertation module or Work-based Project module).
Part-time students normally take one year to obtain the Postgraduate Certificate, two-years to obtain the Postgraduate Diploma and three-years to complete with Masters. You may take up to two-years maximum to obtain the Postgraduate Certificate, four-years maximum to obtain the Postgraduate Diploma and five-years maximum to complete with Masters.
Part-time students normally do two modules each semester, although may choose to do just one. The course is delivered by blended learning over the course of a 12-week semester with there being face-to-face classes that typically takes place in the evenings on the Belfast campus.
Start dates
- September 2023
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The programme is taught through blended learning with there being face-to-face classes that typically takes place in the evenings on the Belfast campus. All the programme’s modules are 100% coursework. You will have the option to complete your Masters either by dissertation or work-based project.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
- the relevant generic national Qualification Descriptor
- the applicable Subject Benchmark Statement
- the requirements of any professional, regulatory, statutory and accrediting bodies.
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Belfast campus
Belfast Campus Location
The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
Accommodation
High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.
Find out more - information about accommodation
Student Wellbeing
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year one
Regulation and Compliance
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides an understanding of the regulatory and compliance issues critical to a role in financial services in the 21st Century.
Project Management
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides an understanding of project management and project management methods. The module covers the activities at each stage of project lifecycle; project initiation; project planning; project execution; monitoring and control: and project close.
Financial Technology and Data Science
Year: 1
Status: C
Modern finance is characterised by using technology to innovate and enhance financial services. Those involved with FinTech have to often engage with big data analysis and data science to understand customers such to provide products and services that will meet their needs and wants. This module combines overview of the available technologies in financial services with market opportunity and provides realistic data science exercises.
Behavioural Finance
Year: 1
Status: C
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
Year: 2
Status: C
The modern theory of finance provides the foundation of a solid basis for a career in the financial services industry. In this module, these theories are applied to best understand the most commonly used financial instruments, all of which takes place in the context of the financial markets which are being influenced significantly by advancing technology. Consequently, this module provides an introduction to the financial services industry, focusing on investments and giving due consideration, where relevant, to the impact of technology.
Corporate Governance and Ethics
Year: 2
Status: C
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
Year: 2
Status: C
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
Year: 2
Status: C
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. This module emphasises the role of econometrics in supporting evidence-based decision making.
Year three
Contemporary Issues in FinTech
Year: 3
Status: C
The module will have as its main objective an exploration of the contemporary issues that confront FinTech.
Predictive Analytics in Finance
Year: 3
Status: C
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
Year: 3
Status: C
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
Status: O
Year: 3
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.
Standard entry conditions
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
Entry Requirements
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.
English Language Requirements
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Careers & opportunities
In this section
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].
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.
Apply
Start dates
- September 2023
Fees and funding
The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.
For modules commenced in the academic year 2023/24, the following fees apply:
| Credit Points | NI/ROI/GB Cost | International Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | £186.65 | £440 |
| 10 | £373.30 | £880 |
| 15 | £559.95 | £1,320 |
| 20 | £746.60 | £1,760 |
| 30 | £1,119.90 | £2,640 |
| 60 | £2,239.80 | £5,280 |
| 120 | £4,479.60 | £10,560 |
| 180 | £6,719.40 | £15,840 |
NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.
Additional mandatory costs
Are there payment options available?
Depending on meeting eligibility requirements, funding support may be available through the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme. Contact the Course Director (see contact section) for more information.
Can I take this programme without the apprenticeship funding?
Yes, the MSc FinTech Management is available part-time.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
Contact
We’d love to hear from you!
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
- Course specific information
- Fees and Finance
- Admissions
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
For more information visit
Disclaimer
- Although reasonable steps are taken to provide the programmes and services described, the University cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility and the University may make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, discontinue, merge or combine courses and introduce new courses if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Such circumstances include (but are not limited to) industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key staff, changes in legislation or government policy including changes, if any, resulting from the UK departing the European Union, withdrawal or reduction of funding or other circumstances beyond the University’s reasonable control.
- If the University discontinues any courses, it will use its best endeavours to provide a suitable alternative course. In addition, courses may change during the course of study and in such circumstances the University will normally undertake a consultation process prior to any such changes being introduced and seek to ensure that no student is unreasonably prejudiced as a consequence of any such change.
- The University does not accept responsibility (other than through the negligence of the University, its staff or agents), for the consequences of any modification or cancellation of any course, or part of a course, offered by the University but will take into consideration the effects on individual students and seek to minimise the impact of such effects where reasonably practicable.
- The University cannot accept any liability for disruption to its provision of educational or other services caused by circumstances beyond its control, but the University will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to such services.