Finance with Financial Technology (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Master the fundamentals of finance while specialising in the dynamic and evolving field of financial technology.
Integrating finance and technology
Study traditional finance subjects alongside cutting-edge financial technologies like AI and Big Data Analytics.
Career enhancement
Work with professional advisors who offer tailored support to enhance, or advance, your progress in the workplace and achieve your career aspirations.
Topical and engaged
Participate in events related to topical challenges and build your network with societies such as the Finance and Trading Society.
Gain practical skills
Put knowledge into practice with cutting-edge trading simulations in our flagship Trading Room.
This programme will allow you to pursue an MSc in Finance with a specialisation in Financial Technology. You’ll be exposed to emerging financial technology and core finance theory and practice ensuring your success in an interconnected, diverse and rapidly evolving international finance arena.
You’ll gain an in-depth insight into strategic aspects of finance and financial technology. Together, we’ll explore key topics of investment management, corporate finance, big data and AI application in finance while developing your research skills and programming proficiency for data analysis and machine learning. Optional modules will help you tailor your learning in specific aspects of finance or financial technology to achieve your future career aspirations. This specialisation will be further solidified through a FinTech-focused dissertation that tackles real-world FinTech challenges.
During your studies, you’ll also be exposed to cutting-edge trading simulations in our flagship Trading Room. This 56-seater facility is one of the largest in the UK and provides you with the opportunity to gain the practical skills required for life at the stock exchange. An optional Bloomberg Certification is also offered.
This programme will enable you to pursue a traditional or FinTech-driven career in investment management or trading or working as a senior executive or consultant in corporate and financial institutions.
Where you'll study
Cardiff Business School
We’re an AACSB International and AMBA-accredited Business School with a clear mission: to make a positive impact in the communities of Wales and the world.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 honours degree in finance or a related subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a 1-year full-time programme.
You’ll study 5 core modules which allow you develop expert knowledge in finance and financial technology. You’ll choose one optional module from a selection exploring the use of innovative aspects in finance and financial technology, allowing you to undertake specialised study in an area of interest or of relevance to your future career.
The programme concludes with the completion of an individual piece of in-depth research on a Fintech related question.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/26 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
The taught stage of the programme is between September and June, and will involve 4 blocks of teaching. There will be a mix of lectures, tutorials and independent learning, and the modules will be assessed at the end of each block.
In the dissertation stage, you'll undertake an independent piece of research, but with a topic focused upon financial technology. The dissertation will take place between June and September. You'll be supported by a dissertation supervisor, who will meet regularly with you over this period.
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
AI Application in Finance | BST157 | 20 credits |
Big Data Analytics for Finance | BST158 | 20 credits |
Investment Management | BST953 | 20 credits |
Corporate Finance | BST954 | 20 credits |
Quantitative Methods in Finance | BST956 | 20 credits |
Research Dissertation | BST969 | 60 credits |
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
Market Structure and Electronic Trading | BST959 | 20 credits |
Financial Derivatives | BST960 | 20 credits |
Corporate Reporting and Global Markets | BST962 | 20 credits |
Financial Technology and Behaviour | BST963 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
An active learning approach is embedded in this programme. We believe that effective learning is founded on two things - your involvement in diverse experiences, and the way you make sense of those experiences, both individually and with others.
Each block of learning includes a variety of activities such as case studies, videos, mini team challenges, and role-play, all designed to introduce new ideas and develop your understanding.
We will help you enhance the technical and critical analysis skills that you were introduced to during your first degree to build your capability and profile as a finance expert. We will also support you to work with other students to reflect on your existing knowledge and skills and build new insights into the nature of finance and financial technology in a variety of contexts. You’ll be encouraged to work collaboratively in diverse teams to consider a range of alternative understandings and practices.
Trying out new learning is important too. You’ll integrate and apply new understandings, together with new finance and financial technology skills, in practical tasks embedded in each learning block, and in formal coursework activities.
How will I be assessed?
The block programme structure provides plenty of opportunities for you to reflect on your learning and development informally. Short knowledge/skill review activities are built into each module to help you check your progress and improve your approach to learning. This will build your confidence and enhance your approach to formal assessment tasks.
A variety of formal assessment tasks provide the opportunity to explore concepts and models in creative and practical ways. These include poster presentations, case studies, group presentations, reports, and videos. You’ll work individually and as part of a team, just as you would in the workplace.
Block teaching enables more in-depth consolidation and application required for successful performance in assessment tasks based on the complex work undertaken by finance professionals. For example, in-class tests and exams reflect realistic workplace timescales for the completion of tasks.
How will I be supported?
The University offers a wealth of support for postgraduate students, which includes:
Learning Central
Learning Central is the University’s virtual learning environment. All programme and module materials are posted here for students to access before, during and after lectures.
Libraries
You’ll have access to libraries across campus which hold over 1.1 million printed books. You will also have access to more than 1.5 million online books, journals, resources and databases.
Personal Tutor System
You’ll be allocated a personal tutor. This member of academic staff will maintain an overview of your learning and educational experiences. If you are experiencing difficulties, your personal tutor will be there to listen and where possible provide professional guidance or else direct you to the appropriate source of support.
In addition to this, a suite of support services is offered by our Student Life teams. Located in the purpose-built Centre for Student Life, these support services encompass: Advice and Money, Student Futures for careers support, Counselling services, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service including dyslexia support, Academic Study Skills and Student Mentoring.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
- Evaluate the links between theory, principles and practice of finance.
- Critically evaluate contemporary issues in finance by drawing on current research and identifying the potential implications for future research and practice.
- Critically evaluate the relevance of modern theoretical concepts in the context of the dynamic financial environment.
- Apply finance research and professional knowledge to solve real-world business scenarios.
- Apply and critically evaluate Fintech solutions such as big data analytics and machine learning for financial applications.
Intellectual Skills:
- Define a business or research-based problem clearly.
- Review and select an appropriate research approach.
- Use appropriate tools to investigate business or research-based problems.
- Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate contrasting perspectives and supporting evidence.
- Generate and communicate data-driven insights to inform FinTech-based strategies and decision-making.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Analyse data, identify current situation and predict future trends.
- Select and interrogate appropriate databases and relevant econometric software packages.
- Develop programming skills essential for building and implementing Fintech solutions.
- Apply relevant financial knowledge for effective day-to-day decision making.
- Develop effective working relationships with peers.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Apply financial technology to solve complex problems.
- Communicate to diverse audiences through a range of media.
- Challenge assumptions based on robust evidence.
- Work independently/collaboratively.
- Take the initiative and be proactive.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|---|
Year one | £13,200 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|---|
Year one | £30,450 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
Throughout the programme, you'll develop and apply the key technical and soft skills required to become an effective specialist in finance and financial technology. You'll see your expertise build cumulatively across the programme as you are given multiple opportunities to explore research and practice and respond to practical finance and trading challenges. This will give you an added advantage as you enter the workplace as a specialist in finance and financial technology.
Graduates from our finance programmes have gone on to roles such as analysts, financial managers, consultants, traders and auditors in the London Stock Exchange Group, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, JP Morgan, China Merchants Bank and Petronas among many others.
Placements
There are no placement opportunities on this programme.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.