Financial Technology (FinTech)

Entry requirements

he course is accessible to students with both a computing/engineering and financial/economics background.

Typically (for instance for UK students), a minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent, in either a numerate subject such as maths, computing and engineering, or a business and finance subject is required.

Some experience of computer programming is also required. It may take several forms such as Python, Java, C, C++. If you don’t have these formal qualifications but have relevant work or life experience, you’re still encouraged to apply, and specific cases can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you don’t currently meet the academic requirements for this course, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need for direct entry.

Explore INTO Stirling programmes to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available for this course and others at the University of Stirling.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

The whole industry is taking note - from international banks to backroom start-ups, and a new kind of multidisciplinary expertise is in high-demand. To do well in fintech, you need to understand technology, finance and business creation.

Our MSc Financial Technology (Fintech) is one of the first offered in the UK and provides you with the latest developments in computing technology, financial theory, ethical and regulatory constraints, and business skills. It’s an innovative course designed for those looking to enter a career in the fintech industry.

Fintech includes the technology from big data and analytics, mobile computing and modern financial services. Some of the activity in the sector is being carried out by the large, existing financial institutions, but a strong drive comes from small companies who are developing disruptive technologies.

The course covers:

• Manipulating data and scripting in Python
• An introduction to blockchain
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Bank Theory, operations and strategy
• An introduction to corporate finance
• Data analytics and machine learning
• Fintech app development
• Investment regulation and ethics
• Heuristics and bias in behavioural finance
• Innovation management and disruptive technology
• Business startup planning
• Professionalism, regulation and ethics in banking

Information for international students

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Indicator 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
• Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills
• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

If you are from India, Bangladesh, Ghana or Nigeria please also check your country/region specific page for any additional, or changes to, English language requirements.

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.

Assessment