Financial Technology MSc

The rapidly growing FinTech sector is disrupting traditional business models and transforming industries worldwide. Companies are seizing new opportunities, and the demand for innovative leaders has never been higher. The MSc Financial Technology at the University of Birmingham is a market-driven programme designed to future-proof your career. Master advanced skills, gain actionable insights, and apply real-world experience. Connect with top industry players and position yourself to shape the future of finance.

Course structure

This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode.

This course will develop your understanding of technology that drives the future of finance along with ethical requirements and procedures to keep the business sustainable. The rigorous curriculum will challenge you to come up with innovative solutions to integrate technologies with the theoretical frameworks and institutional settings where they can be applied.

The programme will involve simulation workshops, hackathon events, industry-interface events and real time application oriented research projects that will be class leading to enrich your student experience.

• Join a small cohort on this competitive specialist programme and develop a closer relationship with experts, staff and fellow students.
• Engage in hackathon events and real-time industry projects, applying theory to practice, like creating crowdfunding platforms, using blockchain to reduce fraud, developing algorithmic trading applications and financial services apps.
• Benefit from our Sustainable Finance and Innovation Centre, and the ESG hub, undertaking client-based projects and gaining hands-on experience with the latest financial tools and software
• You will have access to our state-of-the-art Bloomberg training suite where a range of trading techniques can be practised.
• Tackle real-world investment challenges, emphasising ethical and sustainable business practices, and contribute to a responsible future.

You will gain both theoretical and practical expertise in corporate finance, Python programming, Machine Learning and Data Analytics, blockchain technologies, cybersecurity, Ethics in AI, payment systems and risk management. The course also focuses on enhancing cognitive abilities and transferable skills, such as teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, numeracy, leadership, time management, communication, entrepreneurialism and cross-cultural awareness. Equipped with this diverse skill set, graduates will be capable of developing, applying, maintaining and modernising large data management technologies in an ethical and responsible manner. Graduates will engage with industry leaders in FinTech, participate in industry-led hackathons, and collaborate on real-world projects.

• Taught modules – these include lectures, labratory workshops and seminars.
• Assessments - these will include a combination of case studies, participative exercises, interactive lectures, presentations, written exams and group projects.
• Individual Project - During the summer term, graduates collaborate with industry partners and supervisors to design and implement innovative industry solutions.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

Year: 1
2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students will choose one of the following:

In order to be considered, applicants will have or should be expecting to achieve an Honours degree (2:1 or higher) or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent).

This is a highly mathematical programme that requires students to be comfortable with numbers and mathematic techniques. Applicants with prior study in a highly quantitative subject area such as Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Finance or Science are encouraged to apply. Good programming skills and/or two years relevant work experience are not strict requirements but will add weight to an application.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

As a Birmingham Business School student, you will benefit from two award-winning Careers teams.

Careers Network is the University of Birmingham careers and employability team offering: career fairs, employer events with top firms across the UK, start-up and entrepreneurial activities, and support. Internships and bursaries are also available exclusively to University of Birmingham students.

BBS Careers is a dedicated service for Birmingham Business School students. The team provides guidance, support, and work experience opportunities, tailored to business school students, to help you succeed during and after university. We offer workshops, alumni and employer events, and 1-to-1 consultations. These will help you to develop your skills and learn how to submit high-quality internship and graduate applications.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.