MSc in Finance, Technology and Policy
University of Edinburgh Business School
Key Information
Campus location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 28,200 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* home: £28,200 - international, including EU: £37,200
Introduction
The operation of financial markets and the delivery of financial services impact a variety of real-world issues including job creation and credit approval. Our vocationally minded Fintech MSc addresses the knowledge gap created by the pace of technological transformation in financial services and markets.
Admissions
Curriculum
This programme runs for one academic year, starting in mid-September and ending in August. At the start of the programme, you study compulsory courses, which are undertaken in semester one. These are the foundation upon which the whole MSc is built and ensure a common basis of knowledge across the different areas.
A comprehensive Welcome Week provides an introduction to the programme, the School, and the University. Designed to be both informative and fun, it enables you to get acquainted with your classmates.
Through the selection of various option courses, you can tailor your studies towards your career interests.
Finally, your MSc dissertation brings all of the year’s learning together in a piece of work unique to each student.
To give you an idea of what the programme structure and courses might consist of, the below information details the structure and courses for this programme in 2022/23.
- Semester 1 - September–December
- Compulsory courses
- Financial Markets and Investment
- Financial Valuation
- FinTech Infrastructures and Innovation
- Principles of Data Analytics
- Python Programming
- Compulsory courses
- Semester 2 - January–May
- Compulsory courses
- Modern Financial Market Microstructure
- Applied Machine Learning
- Option courses* - Choose 2, 3 or 4
- Blockchain and Cryptofinance
- Blockchain, Governance and Policy
- Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
- Financial Engineering
- Financial Machine Learning
- Financial Machine Learning II (Practical)
- Investment Management
- Pattern Recognition in Financial Data
- Responsible Investing
- SAS Programming for Financial Analysis
- Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialisation
- The Human Factor: Working with Users
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
- Compulsory courses
- Summer June–August
- Dissertation
*We will notify applicants of any changes to the programme structure and courses by 15 June in the year of entry to the course. We cannot guarantee that all option courses will run each year and occasionally there will be last-minute amendments after this date due to unforeseen circumstances such as staff illness.
The content of individual courses and the programme for any given degree are under constant academic review in light of current circumstances and may change from time to time, with some programmes and courses being modified, discontinued, or replaced.
Due to high demand, we cannot guarantee students a place on the optional course of their preference. Equally, if there is not enough interest in a given year for an option course then it may not be viable for us to run that particular option course. Some combinations of option courses may not be possible due to scheduling constraints.
Program Outcome
Learning Outcomes
As well as delivering a solid understanding of key theoretical finance and economic concepts, this Fintech MSc encourages potential future leaders to analyse and challenge the accepted financial setup.
By the conclusion of the programme, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of key theoretical finance and economic concepts underpinning financial markets
- Critically compare, contrast and evaluate the different machine learning techniques in terms of their applicability to solving problems in finance, this can be demonstrated by students using appropriate software to apply techniques to a given set of data
- Have an in-depth understanding of the relationships existing among the key global financial systems; for example, how bond yields dictate investment in equity and its derivatives
- Conduct valuation of financial instruments and projects within relevant regulatory contexts
- Trade financial instruments on exchanges/trading platforms by using state-of-the-art software packages and harnessing the power of relevant real-time financial data
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the role played by policies in shaping financial services delivery and financial markets
- Critically evaluate markets by being able to competently present arguments on the criticisms of the current set-up and offer the basis for the development of alternative technology-based markets and financial services products
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the social dimensions of technology use in financial markets
Scholarships and Funding
Applicants to the MSc in Finance, Technology and Policy can apply for a range of scholarships both from the University and external organisations.
Programme and School scholarships
We are keen to recruit the very best talent from all over the world. To this end, a number of programme-based and School-funded Scholarships are available, as well as others which are generously sponsored by industry and alumni.
Other scholarships and funding
You may be eligible for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or an external organisation.
Gallery
Accreditations
Career Opportunities
Career Development
Graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly sought after globally. Our dedicated Student Development Team within the Business School will be an integral part of your student experience from day one. We are here to help you become equipped to maximise your potential in the global market.
Graduate Employment
Potential roles available to graduates of this programme are varied across the finance sector, particularly in organisations exploiting big data. Examples of roles include:
- Data scientists
- Financial product developers/managers
- Financial/investment analysts
- Portfolio managers
- Quantitative regulatory analysts