Introduction
Jointly delivered by the University of Aberdeen Business School and School of Natural & Computing Sciences, this programme brings together expertise in mathematics, computer science, finance, and economics to deliver a fully integrated learning experience in Financial Technology.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
FinTech is a continually growing industry in Scotland, with significant merging of finance and technology, but this also requires a varied skill set to succeed. The MSc Financial Technology offers a rigorous introduction to Python, the dominant programming language in FinTech as well as machine learning and data science. The programme also highlights the inherent risks to the industry such as security breaches and the effects these can have on banks and other financial service providers.
This degree is open to people from any discipline and will provide students with an interdisciplinary learning experience in financial services and technology from experts in their respective fields.
The Business School is internationally recognised and plays a major role in industry through research, and consultancy. Not only will you acquire the business knowledge essential to success, you’ll also develop the crucial characteristics – such as strong communication and interpersonal skills, quantitative knowledge and technical skills – most sought after in the highly competitive global business environment.
The School of Natural & Computing Sciences has a long-standing reputation in Intelligent Systems, with world recognised expertise in areas such as multi-agent systems, natural language generation, knowledge graph and semantic web.
By bringing together students from both financial and computing backgrounds, students will benefit from a richer experience, learning from their peers and gaining an in-depth understanding of both sectors and how they interconnect.
What You'll Study
- Stage 1
-
Compulsory Courses
Candidates must take the following compulsory courses:
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Introduction to Programming (CS5076)
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15 Credit Points
Students will be exposed to the basic principles of computer programming, e.g. fundamental programming techniques, concepts, algorithms, data structures, and object orientated programming. The course contains lectures where the principles are systematically developed. As the course does not presuppose knowledge of these principles, we start from basic intuitions so that students know the basics of programming as the foundation for their future study.
- Database Systems and Big Data (CS5097)
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15 Credit Points
This course will be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn to design and query databases. The course aims to teach the material using case studies from real-world applications. You will develop a critical understanding of the principal theories, principles and concepts, such as modelling techniques used in the design, administration and security of database systems. You will also learn core theoretical concepts such as relational algebra, file organisation and indexing. At the end of this course you will be able to design and build Web and cloud-based databases and have a critical understanding of how database-driven applications operate.
- Financial Mathematics i (MX5021)
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15 Credit Points
The course is a part of the MSc programme in Financial Technology and provides students with the theoretical and practical skills related to discrete time models of financial markets. It introduces basic notions and mathematical methods related to financial markets and it is concerned with mathematical models in discrete time.
- Financial Mathematics II (MX5022)
-
15 Credit Points
This course is a part of the MSc programme in Financial Technology. It is concerned with financial mathematical models in both discrete and continuous time. The main topic is the Black-Scholes-Merton model from both theoretical and practical perspective.
- Stage 2
-
Compulsory Courses
Students must have completed all the courses for stage 1, and then the following compulsory courses:
- Applied Econometrics (BU551V)
-
15 Credit Points
This course offers an introduction to econometrics, which is the application of statistical techniques to provide answers to questions in finance, among others. Economic theories can predict the likely relations of financial variables, and econometrics can provide the evidence for such relations using real-world data.
As building blocks of econometrics, this course will start by covering inferential statistics, asking what inferences can be drawn about the population from a sample. You will then proceed to learn regression analysis which is the fundamental of econometrics.
- Advances in Machine Learning in Finance (BU551W)
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15 Credit Points
This course will introduce machine learning, artificial intelligence and forecasting with applications in finance. The course will explore recent trends in FinTech, which are based on data analytics and recent advances in machine learning.
The course is based on Python, which has become the dominant general-purpose programming language in data analytics and machine learning.
Students are required to take CS5076 Introduction to Programming in the first sub-session; hence, the course expects a basic level of programming skills in Python.
- Financial Crime and Cyber Security (BU551X)
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15 Credit Points
While violent crime has exhibited a considerable decline in most developed countries, financial crime and cyber-crime have flourished.
This course provides an overview of financial crime and major cyber security risks. To evaluate risk and develop preventive methods, it is important to learn how cyber-criminals work.
This course follows strict ethical hacking guidelines.
We introduce the main tools used by cyber-criminals including the dark web, TOR hidden services, private operating systems, cryptocurrencies, encryption, scanning, enumeration, and penetration testing.
Students are required to take CS5076 Introduction to Programming in the first sub-session; hence, the course expects a basic level of programming skills in Python.
Optional Courses
Students must take one of the following options:
- Empirical Methods in Finance Research (BU5565)
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15 Credit Points
This course aims to provide students with the quantitative skills to undertake extended investigation of financial data and assist in financial decision making. It introduces various standard time series techniques such as univariate and multivariate time series modelling, unit root tests, and volatility modelling. Particularly emphasis is on intuitive discussions of the methods, and practical examples and applications are also included.
- Portfolio Analysis (BU5526)
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15 Credit Points
This course examines theories and issues relevant to portfolio analysis. Themes include: risk and return; investment motives; the application of modern portfolio theory (including the Capital Asset Pricing Model); information and market efficiency; portfolio analysis and asset pricing; bonds and equities; real estate and derivative markets.
- Financial Analysis and Markets (BU5575)
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15 Credit Points
Like football, this course is a game of two halves. The first half is financial analysis and builds your ability to analyse companies and think about the implications of financial performance for investors. We will be using Datastream and Bloomberg software. In the second half we will think about how stock markets work and how they are regulated.
- Stage 3
-
Compulsory Courses
Students must have completed all courses for stages 1 and 2, and then the following compulsory course:
- Fintech Dissertation (MX5922)
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60 Credit Points
This course is a part of the MSc programme in FinTech. It provides the students with an opportunity to work independently on an interesting individual project and apply the knowledge gained in the other courses in the programme.
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Fee Information
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | £27,000 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
| UK | £15,700 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year |
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Funding Opportunities
The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme:
The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. More Information can be found here.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3000 to £8,500, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
You’ll study in a contemporary university environment and experience innovative teaching methods. You will learn through a combination of theory and practice. A stimulating mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars and case studies.
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The programme assesses the competency and skills that you will need in the computing and financial world in a number of ways. You will give individual and group presentations, prepare reports, sit assessments, write academic essays and complete the dissertation over the summer period.
Why Study Financial Technology?
- Cover a wide range of programming languages such as Python, quantitative finance, machine learning, cyber security, and applied econometrics
- Aberdeen is a financial hub with particular strength in asset management with demand for highly skilled graduates in FinTech
- Demonstrate critical thinking and interlink its evaluation with creativity
- The Business School is ranked in the top 20 for all Business disciplines by the Complete University Guide 2021
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
This programme is open to graduates from any discipline and does not require computing or finance study to be completed at undergraduate level.
Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
International Applicants
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded post graduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
The MSc Financial Technology programme positions graduates for a variety of exciting FinTech career pathways with practical skills and expertise in mathematics, computer science, finance, and economics.
This programme provides you with the technical and analytical skills needed to successfully adapt to wide-range of situations in the ever-changing world of computing and finance. Some become software developers, business analysts, consultants, data scientists, or follow other roles.
Accreditation
The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX