Financial Technology MSc
Subject and course type
- Accounting, Finance and Banking
- Postgraduate
Explore the intersection between finance and technology with Kingston Business School. We are proud to hold the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). This accreditation has been earned by just 6% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degrees.
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Embrace the opportunities born out of the digitalisation of financial products and institutions
Kickstart your career in financial technology with Kingston University.
Located on the doorstep of London, one of the world's leading FinTech hubs, our extensive industry connections help students to secure professional placements.
We are also one of only a few UK universities to have a Bloomberg Trading Room, offering hands-on skills and the opportunity to apply for Bloomberg certification. Access to Bloomberg terminals will provide you with the latest technology to analyse and make sense of financial and economic data effectively. You may also use other databases during your studies, such as Thomson DataStream Advance.
This course also sits within The Department of Accounting, Finance and Informatics, which delivers high quality degrees in accounting, banking, finance, investment, financial technology, risk management and real estate. Our courses are accredited by professional bodies, including ACCA, CIMA, ACT, RICS and ICAEW.
Why choose this course
This new course has been designed to prepare graduates and professionals with the skills needed to launch a career in FinTech or the financial services sector.
You will have the opportunity to engage with industry, debate current trends and develop in-demand analytical and programming skills. These will enable you to work at the intersection of finance and technology. In addition, you will develop a thorough understanding of key trends in financial technology, such as blockchain, cryptocurrency and machine learning.
You will be taught by academics actively researching the FinTech sector, alongside industry experts. Research-active staff ensure the course content covers the latest industry developments and that your skills are at the forefront of this exciting sector.
The course also includes a practical project. This can either take the form of a professional consultancy project, research dissertation, or your own fintech start-up or process efficiency solution. Whatever you choose, you will be supported by our specialist innovation incubator, The Nest. You will also gain access to real-time financial data via our dedicated Bloomberg Trading Room.
Accreditations
Kingston Business School holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 6% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offerings.
Ready for business
At Kingston Business School, we believe that professional success is shaped by honing your personal capacity and skillset, supported by the academic framework of knowledge. Through vocationally rich, employer-engaged and research-informed courses, we work alongside our students to help them meet personal goals and career ambitions.
Course content
You will develop in-demand analytical and programming skills alongside a thorough understanding of key trends in financial technology such as blockchain, cryptocurrency and machine learning. With access to real-time financial data via our dedicated Bloomberg Trading Room, you will be taught by academics actively researching the FinTech sector along with industry experts to ensure your skills are at the forefront of this exciting sector.
The course includes a practical project which can either take the form of a professional consultancy project or your own fintech start-up or process efficiency solution, supported by our specialist innovation incubator, The Nest.
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
Modules
Core modules
15 credits
In this module you will learn about blockchain technology and its application across financial services and fintech, including cryptocurrencies. The main topics covered include the basics of blockchain technology, evolution, different types of use cases including cryptocurrencies, mining and investments in cryptocurrencies.
Teaching consists of lectures and practical case studies, alongside a series of lab sessions where you will gain hands-on practical experience. The module is assessed via two contemporary coursework applications where you will develop a business solution based on blockchain technology.
15 credits
This module will introduce you to the concepts of financial technology, specifically how software solutions are used in the financial industry to manage Big Data. You will use software to quickly deploy technical solutions to problems in the financial services context, including how these are used for risk assessment, fraud detection, and personalisation of financial products.
30 credits
This module provides a foundation to the disruptive nature of the FinTech ecosystem and the increased recognition that it is core for finance and financial services in the years to come. You will discover theories of innovation, relevant technologies and the impact of fast-paced changes to the regulatory context.
You will gain a practical and theoretical understanding of how the financial services industry has been transformed both from an external perspective on technological and market developments, as well as an internal perspective on organisational transformation and new ways of working for innovation and agility.
You will experience how to work as an agile team and turn an idea into product development, talking to consumers, partners, and competitors as you encounter the chaos and uncertainty of how a start-up actually works.
You will practice evidence-based entrepreneurship as you learn to transform a FinTech idea into a venture-scale business opportunity; selecting an appropriate financial model, produce financial projections, testing ideas and develop an iterative minimal viable product (MVP) based on stakeholder feedback that is as close as possible to go-to-market.
15 credits
In this module you will discover how programming and software solutions are used in the financial industry to analyse, process and manipulate data. Through hands-on exercises and real-world projects, you will learn how to develop and use software to quickly deploy technical solutions to problems in the financial services context.
You will gain the skills necessary to identify the possible approaches and design strategies for programming and problem solving in this domain, and be able to develop and use software solutions to process and analyse large datasets in the context of finance.
30 credits
This module provides you with a strong technical introduction to financial markets and institutions, along with an introduction to the legal and regulatory frameworks and principles for the FinTech sector. You will learn about a range of topics from simple concepts such as time value of money to complex market segments and instruments. You will also cover behavioural finance topics as they relate to traditional finance and more specifically their importance across the FinTech space, including ‘gamification' of FinTech products and services.
You will develop technical skills that are widely used in the financial services industry and understand underlying reasons for financial markets workings. You will also engage with ongoing legal developments, issues and debates on the key areas of regulation and supervision of financial technology, ethics and compliance and the role of central banks and other relevant regulators in national and international settings.
You will gain practical knowledge and skills through a series of lab sessions, industry engagement and the use of Bloomberg Terminals for information gathering and data collection.
15 credits
This module covers the use of machine learning and other automated techniques in the field of financial technology. You will learn about the various applications of these techniques in finance, including credit risk modelling, fraud detection, and trading strategy development.
You will also develop an understanding of the ethical and regulatory considerations of using these techniques, especially machine learning, in financial decision making.
Capstone modules (choose one)
60 credits
This module will introduce you to methods and procedures for identifying, investigating and analysing a research problem, and an opportunity to apply these tools in the development of a dissertation. You will be expected to be familiar with the theory and research in your chosen area of study, and to demonstrate your ability to review and apply concepts and techniques critically.
60 credits
In this module you will have the opportunity to work with clients on a broad range of projects to identify areas where a company can improve its service and operations to remain competitive within the FinTech sector.
You will work with a mentor to co-construct your project which could focus on any element of the programme, from providing strategic advice, implementation support, analysis of the company's current operations or emerging technologies, support with regulatory compliance or designing and implementing new digital products and service.
You will develop the necessary consultancy skills through workshops to review the theory and practice of management consulting, and the process of sourcing and delivering consulting work to aid strategic decision making in the business and finance world.
Optional placement year
Core modules
120 credits
The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the first 180 credits of taught modules and project or dissertation. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject.
It is the responsibility of individual students to locate and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this will normally involve one placement which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the module leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability.
Career opportunities
Graduates from this course are well-placed for careers within finance, financial technology, financial services, compliance and quantitative analysis.
This course, like many postgraduate courses at Kingston University, enables students to integrate a 12-month work placement into their course. You are responsible for finding and securing your own professional placement, which can be highly competitive but also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a Student Route visa.
You will take part in an Assessment Centre Experience, providing the opportunity to experience the pathway to employment with tailored feedback:
- Develop your understanding of the jobs market, including current trends and opportunities, different recruitment processes and how to identify relevant roles
- Receive personalised feedback reports to help you to improve and progress
- Access additional webinars on top tips, employer expectations and best practice
Teaching and assessment
When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 180 credits across a year (typical for a postgraduate course) would equate to 1,800 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- 14% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:
- Year 1: coursework: 70%; practical: 27%; exam: 3%
- Professional placement year: coursework: 100%; practical: 0%; exam: 0%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Each student receives a personalised timetable. This is usually available after you have completed your online enrolment, which typically accessible 1 month before the start of your course.
You will be part of an intimate cohort of students which supports dedicated academic guidance and advice and the opportunity to build a life-long network of colleagues. Some modules are common across other postgraduate programmes therefore you will be taught alongside students who are on these courses within the Business School.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £13,500 |
| International | Full Time £19,700 |
| Fee Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | Full Time £12,900 |
| International | Full Time £18,900 |
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Financial Technology MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
The Inspire the Future Scholarship offers a 40% reduction in fees for taught masters or postgraduate diploma courses with September start dates. 20 scholarships are available for progressing Kingston University graduates.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Inspire the Future Scholarship page.
International postgraduate students could receive up to £5,000 towards tuition in their first year of study.
For more information on how to apply for these scholarships, visit the International Scholarship page.
If you are a Kingston University 2024/25 undergraduate progressing to a 2025/26 postgraduate degree (taught or research), you could get a 15% reduction in tuition fees.
For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit the Postgraduate Progression Scholarship page.
Kingston University offers a 10% discount on full and part-time postgraduate degree course tuition fees to our alumni.
For more information on how to apply for this discount, visit our alumni discount page.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
If the postgraduate admissions tutor requires further information or wishes to invite you to further assessment by interview they will contact you directly. You will then hear whether your application has been successful.
If you do not clearly meet the standard entry requirements and the admission tutor wishes to see a portfolio from you, you will be sent an email asking you to upload your portfolio to your Kingston University OSIS account. Further details on how to do this will be provided at the time.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
