Recent Ulster University graduate Anna Donnelly has been named the winner of the CompareNI.com Fintech Scholarship 2026, recognising her achievement in one of Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing sectors.
Anna, from Armagh, recently completed a Master's degree in FinTech and Data Science at Ulster University’s in Derry~Londonderry. As part of the award, she has received a £1,000 bursary to support her studies and the opportunity to gain work experience with Seopa, the fintech company behind CompareNI.com.
Despite Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global hub for financial technology innovation and investment, new research by CompareNI.com found that just 14% of students have considered a career in fintech. The survey also revealed that only one in five students were aware of the industry’s reputation for competitive salaries, generous benefits packages and rapid career progression.
Encouraging other students to explore opportunities in the sector, Anna said:
"The great thing about fintech is that it thrives on a diverse range of specialisms, meaning it can open doors for graduates from many different backgrounds.
"The skills learned in fintech can be applied to so many jobs and there are lots of opportunities if you look for them, particularly in Belfast. Fintech graduates are in a great position to access lots of different career paths, from software development and cyber security to data analytics, fraud detection and many more.”
Professor Danielle McWall, Associate Dean (Partnership and Student Recruitment) at Ulster University, said:
"For many students, fintech isn’t resonating with them as a career option. They may have an interest in technology or finance, but many don’t tend to merge these areas together.
“There are really fabulous careers out there in the world of fintech and I think many students will eventually end up circling back to these after they have done a more traditional degree, but it is about getting them to understand that there are specialised degrees in fintech that will open up wonderful careers for them.”
Professor Barry Quinn, Professor of Finance and Financial Technology at Ulster University, added:
"Fintech now touches almost every aspect of our daily lives. From digital payments and online banking to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, almost all businesses use fintech in some capacity, so it is a skillset that will serve young people well.
“More needs to be done to introduce young people to fintech at an earlier stage, and we at Ulster University are front and centre of that. We were one of the first places in the UK to introduce an undergraduate degree apprenticeship in fintech, allowing students to apply the skills learned in the classroom to the workplace.”
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of CompareNI.com, said:
"Our research suggests there is still plenty of work to do when it comes to helping students understand the opportunities available in fintech.
“Having a steady supply of talented graduates to meet the growing demand is vital if Northern Ireland is to continue attracting investment, creating high-value jobs and retaining its position as a global fintech powerhouse.
“Through initiatives such as our Fintech Scholarship, we want to help students realise their potential and increase awareness in the opportunities available for graduates in this rapidly growing industry.”
The CompareNI.com Fintech Scholarship is open to all students currently studying an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Northern Ireland, it doesn’t have to be in financial technology. Students from all other disciplines, whether it’s law or engineering, the life sciences or the liberal arts, design or humanities, are all encouraged to apply.
