FinTech MSc

Postgraduate

View of a city skyline with the sunset behind

The use of financial technology (FinTech) sees financial markets becoming ever more innovative and dynamic; studying this course should help prepare you for a career in FinTech or provide you with the knowledge needed to operate effectively, in other financial sectors being affected by technology.

Year of entry

2023-24 2024-25

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time
16-24 months (with professional experience)

Course code

FBLT128

Start date

September 2024
May 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

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Course overview

You’ll have opportunities to:

develop skills in digital fluency to apply theories to a rapidly changing finance sector
focus on financial technology, big data analytics and the management of risk, in digital environments
gain a grounding in financial theories and their practical applications.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 UK Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2024

Why you should study this course

This course is designed to prepare graduates for exciting potential future careers, in sectors such as investment banking, financial services, and financial technology.

It aims to provide a solid grounding in key areas of financial theory, such as derivatives, corporate finance and quantitative methods, before focusing more directly on financial technology.
The course aims to provide an overview to the rapidly growing FinTech sector, as well as how to manage risk within it, and how it can be applied in a practical sense to financial firms and their activities.
This course is accredited¹ by the Chartered Management Institute and includes a module that provides you with the opportunity to gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.
Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.
The opportunity to apply for a ‘professional experience’ opportunity² designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited¹ and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2024-25 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

Memberships

European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the European Foundation for Management Development, a global membership organisation dedicated to management development, covering over 900 members across 91 countries.

Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS)

Coventry Business School is currently an active member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, which has a membership of over 120 business schools and higher education providers, and supports its members in maintaining world-class standards of teaching and research.

What you'll study

Alongside an understanding of key financial theories, and how technology can disrupt and improve them, you will have the chance to learn the key skills needed for a future career in a fast-moving, innovative sector, in an internationally diverse environment.

The course also offers you the opportunity to undertake a practical module on data analytics, which is designed to prepare you for the increasing importance of these skills in the modern financial world.

Modules

Corporate Finance – 15 credits

The aim of the module is to examine and critique key corporate finance issues, including financial management, risk and return, corporate financing and asset pricing, capital structure and payout policy. The module will take an international perspective and explore both theoretical models and empirical evidence.

Compulsory

Quantitative Methods – 15 credits

Derivatives – 15 credits

This module focuses on the major classes of derivatives and on the uses of these instruments in hedging, regulatory arbitrage, price discovery, arbitrage and speculation. You will be exposed to both introductory and advanced aspects of the theory and applications of all major classes of derivative products.

Compulsory

Governance, Accountability and Ethics – 15 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with a framework to examine the key issues in corporate governance. These include underlying corporate governance theory and associated reporting and regulation, the role of monitors and issues of independence and ethics. It will also develop your ability to critically appraise relevant academic literature and current issues, then integrate and synthesise topics in order to participate in current debates and suggest potential insights for development.

Compulsory

Introduction to FinTech – 15 credits

This module aims to examine the development of FinTech and its relationship with financial institutions and the transformation of global financial systems. The module also provides an introduction to various FinTech applications (e.g. cryptocurrencies, payment systems and trading platforms) and evaluates their impact on companies and economies.

Compulsory

Risk Management and FinTech – 15 credits

The aim of the module is to examine and analyse how risk management is connected and applied to FinTech. The module also examines fundamental risk management concepts, definitions of risk and types of risk, governance, standards and regulations, and the impact of risk to enterprises and financial institutions. Alternative risk responses and risk management strategies in FinTech will also be created and evaluated.

Compulsory

Applied FinTech – 15 credits

The aim of the module is to equip you with the skills to critically analyse and evaluate FinTech applications. The module begins with an overview of the architecture of FinTech systems and applications, then goes on to analyse the entrepreneurial and development processes of FinTech applications.

Compulsory

Data Analytics using Python/R – 15 credits

The module aims to provide you with the essential skills in data analytics and data mining. The module covers data classification, clustering, and data mining algorithms that can be applied to financial data. With the use of Python/R, you will also explore ways of training computers to investigate and analyse patterns, trends and rules within financial data sets.

Compulsory

Professional Development Module: Entrepreneurial Practice – 10 credits

This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategic and entrepreneurial way whatever the master’s degree of specialisation they elect to follow. The module empowers you to reflect critically on your personal learning and development needs and how you work with others, from an ethical and professional standpoint, to encourage your continuing professional development. The Professional Development module was developed in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). It focuses on entrepreneurship and can lead to a professional qualification upon successful completion. Please see the Accreditation and professional recognition section for further details.

Compulsory

Dissertation/Consultancy Project – 50 credits

In this module, you will carry out a substantive piece of individual research into a business or financial management issue.

You will be expected to draw upon the knowledge acquired, and the intellectual, technical and analytical skills developed during the course.

You will be given the opportunity² to either research a theoretical research question of your choice (research-based dissertation) or to address a real question from a host organisation (management consultancy project)².

Compulsory

With professional experience option 

The professional experience opportunity²enables you the opportunity to apply for optional professional experience in semester 1, which, upon successfully securing an opportunity, will extend the duration of your master’s to either 16, 20 or 24 months. The professional experience provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability.

Please note that the optional professional experience modules incur an additional tuition fee, for which 1 semester of professional experience is £1,333.33, for 2 semesters of professional experience is £2666.67, and for 3 semesters of professional experience is £4,000.

Professional experience may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Professional experience opportunities are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the professional experience option.

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching methods include:

Lectures
Seminars
Presentations
Group projects
Workshops

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.

Teaching contact hours

The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 13 contact hours per week in the taught semesters.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake around 12 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

Reports
Tests
Exams
Practical coursework
Presentations as part of individual assignments or group work elements.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should hold an honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics.

Or should hold a suitable graduate level (Level 6 equivalent) professional qualification including ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should hold a suitable graduate level (Level 6 equivalent) professional qualification including ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CFA, ICAEW and ICAS.

Or a honours degree 2:2 or above in a relevant academic discipline, such as business, finance, accounting or economics.

Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

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English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£15,400 \| £19,400 (with prof. experience)	Request fee information
EU	£15,400 \| £19,400 (with prof. experience) per year with EU Support Bursary £20,050 \| £24,050 (with prof. experience) per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£20,050 \| £24,050 (with prof. experience)	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement², you will need to pay a fee of £1,333.33 for 1 semester, £2666.67 for 2 semesters, £4,000 for 3 semesters. This will cover support throughout your time taking the professional placement.

This course may incur additional costs associated with any professional experience², which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

We have a variety of resources available to help you apply the theories you will learn.

A student using a computer at a desk wearing glasses next to a tutor pointing at the screen

The Trading Floor

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility adds a dynamic practical element to your course.

Talent Team

Employability is at the forefront of all our accounting and finance courses. Our dedicated Talent Team are also on hand to help. They can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate level jobs and offer skills development workshops, and also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts.

A female student sat at a desk holding a pen and looking at a laptop.

sigma Centre

The sigma Centre is housed in our Lanchester Library and offers maths and statistics support through drop-in sessions and bookable appointments. It is the ideal place to help you navigate any issues you might have while studying an accounting and finance degree.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will be able to:

Demonstrate critical understanding of financial theories and principles, and the ability to constructively challenge their assumptions.
Critique, interpret and apply financial frameworks and models to real-world and unstructured scenarios in global finance.
Effectively extract, manipulate and evaluate financial data from multiple sources to develop reasoned conclusions.
Evidence the application of advanced mathematical and statistical methods for financial analysis, interpretation and decision-making.
Demonstrate a critical awareness of the role and importance of good corporate governance, ethical responsibility, professional accountability and civic contribution.
Execute research using critical judgement in the selection of methodological approaches, research techniques and tools.
Effectively communicate financial issues and solutions, both orally and written, to diverse audiences.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of consultancy and the theories and practices found in leadership.
Critically evaluate risk, both financial and technological, assess its impact on enterprises and financial institutions and develop appropriate risk management strategies.
Analyse, evaluate and employ FinTech applications to solve financial problems.
Utilise computing techniques and machine learning to extract meaningful results and information from large financial data sets.

Through the development of core financial knowledge, alongside FinTech knowledge and capabilities, this course should prepare you to pursue a career in FinTech, or more broadly in finance, in sectors such as investment banking or financial services. You might find yourself working for a FinTech start-up, or within a large financial institution, applying FinTech techniques to improve processes, services and products.

In addition, due to the nature of finance and its relevance to all organisations, this course aims to help you to develop knowledge which you can then apply to other business careers, public sectors jobs or to pursue your own ambitions.

Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The University's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

Part-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team.

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.