Financial Technology MSc
This MSc programme focuses on developing technology literate financial services professionals. The programme emphasises the systematic understanding of new digital business models in financial services, how innovation through technology is changing business practices, quantitative finance skills and the application of emerging technologies to financial services.
Key information
Programme starts: September 2021
Modes and duration
Full time: 1 year
Application dates
All applicants
Open: 9 November 2020
Close: 4 June 2021
Tuition fees (2021/22)
UK:
To be confirmed in prospectus (FT)
To be confirmed in prospectus (PT)
Overseas:
To be confirmed in prospectus (FT)
To be confirmed in prospectus (PT)
Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.
Location: London, Bloomsbury
English language requirements: See UCL website.
This MSc programme focuses on developing technology literate financial services professionals. The programme emphasises the systematic understanding of new digital business models in financial services, how innovation through technology is changing business practices, quantitative finance skills and the application of emerging technologies to financial services.
About this degree
The objectives of this programme are to enable students to understand new digital business models and how innovation through technology is changing financial services. Students will also learn technology skills in blockchain and machine learning applications in finance. As students progress through the programme, they will be able to develop quantitative finance skills and apply technology in the domain.
- Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
- The programme consists of four compulsory modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
- Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Financial Technology.
Please note that module content and availability is subject to change, as the information is published a long time in advance of enrolment.
Please also note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
Students will take five compulsory modules that are each 15 credits unless otherwise stated.
- Innovation and Strategy in Finance
- Digital Finance
- Blockchain Technologies
- Machine Learning with Applications in Finance
- MSc Financial Technology Project (60 credits)
Optional modules
Students must pick four optional modules that are each 15 credits unless otherwise stated.
- Financial Services Entrepreneurship
- Advanced Machine Learning in Finance
- Financial Institutions and Markets
- Financial Data and Statistics
- Financial Engineering
- Financial Market Modelling and Analysis
- Database and Information Management Systems
- Networks and Systemic Risk
- Operational Risk Measurement for Financial Institutions
- Algorithmic Trading
- Applied Computational Finance
Dissertation/report
In term three, students will undertake a substantial research project that results in a dissertation. This programme offers both Industry-based and purely Academic projects. The dissertation is expected to be about 10,000 words or 50 pages.
Placement
If students are able to take an Industry-based project, this is usually undertaken with an external partner organised by UCL staff as part of our wider Industry Exchange Network (IXN) programme and have both an Academic and an Industry supervisor. This gives students the experience of conducting project work in a real-life setting, which aligns with UCL’s connected curriculum. Both the student and the Industry partner will need to agree to work together. Industry partners who have participated in summer projects previously include Santander, Ernst & Young, Ripple, HSBC, Bank of England, BNP Paribas, PWC, AXA, Nomura, Credit Suisse et al.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, presentations, written and programming exercises, and project work.
Additional costs
Students will require a modern laptop (PC or Mac). The minimum specifications should be 8GB RAM and 500GB SSD storage. A laptop with the stated specifications will cost approximately £500.
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding.
Funding
For more information about funding opportunities for Department of Computer Science postgraduate programmes, please see the departmental Scholarships page.
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
DeepMind Scholarship
- Value:
- UK Home fees, maintenance grant, plus travel and equipment grants (1 year (or 2 years part-time))
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
By taking this programme, you will gain a critical awareness of current issues and the development of financial systems and markets. You will also develop strong quantitative finance and financial technology skills as well as business and strategy acumen related to the financial services industry. Individuals who wish to pursue technology-led finance and banking careers will be strongly equipped through this MSc programme. Universal banks, mutual, pension and hedge funds, investment banks, governments, central banks, advisory bodies and new challenger fintech start-ups and technology companies should be prospective employers for you.
Employability
At the end of this programme, you will be able to:
- perform analytical tasks basic to the financial services industry (focused on quantitative finance), including the analysis and interpretation of big data
- gain a broad understanding of how technology is applied in the financial services domain in relation to business models, practices and quantitative finance
- apply strategic thinking on how emerging technologies are changing the financial services landscape
- deploy machine learning tools
- design blockchain technology solutions
Why study this degree at UCL?
The UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies (CBT) has created this programme. This multidisciplinary research centre focuses on how blockchain and other emerging technologies are impacting the world’s socio-economic systems and in particular the financial services industry. This programme also leverages the numerous partnerships that the UCL CBT has with some of the largest financial services and technology companies in the world. These relationships exist, for instance, with Fidelity, Ripple, State Street, Natwest, Santander, R3, Oracle, DXC Technology, Santander, Ernst & Young, HSBC, Bank of England, BNP Paribas, PWC, AXA, Nomura, Credit Suisse and many other firms.
UCL received the highest percentage (96%) for quality of research in Computer Science and Informatics in the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2014). Over the years, the three most relevant university rankings (QS, THE, ARWU) have consistently classified UCL among the top 5 universities in Europe and the top 20 universities in the world. UCL Computer Science hosts the Centre for Doctoral Training in Financial Computing and Analytics as well as the Centre for Doctoral Training in AI and Finance.
UCL resides in London, one of the world’s most important financial centres. Students of this MSc will benefit from teaching by practitioners in the City of London and get the chance to work on a summer project. Industry-based and purely Academic summer projects are offered. Industry-based projects are usually undertaken with an external partner organised by UCL staff as part of our wider Industry Exchange Network (IXN) programme and have both an academic and an industry supervisor.
Department: Computer Science
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 4 June 2021
Programming experience in a language such as Python, C++ or Matlab is an advantage but is not mandatory. Relevant work experience is also taken into account.
For more information see our Applications page.
Who can apply?
Prospective students are expected to have backgrounds from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Students should be able to engage in highly quantitative modules as well as work with technology.
What are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Financial Technology at a graduate level
- why you want to study Financial Technology at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to this programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
- what programming experience you have
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree