Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Financial Technology (FinTech) Programme codePTS1SBESBE40
Study mode(s) Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

This exciting new programme at Exeter uniquely draws together a multi-disciplinary and practical approach to understanding the rapidly emerging and disruptive suite of technological innovations in financial services. The programme consists of core Financial Technology (hereafter FinTech) modules that consolidate your learning from a range of compulsory modules in Finance, Economics & Law. Practitioner experience comes from a growing hub of real FinTech industry connections that come from Exeter Alumni, as well as our growing student-led FinTech Society, and a range of guest speakers from our successful undergraduate module ‘Bitcoin Money & Trust’. In the summer, you will embark on an exciting real project called a ‘hackathon’ led by an academic working closely with people in real firms who are involved in both the design and assessment. Exeter’s unique programme is designed to provide you with all the tools you need to succeed in any FinTech-associated career pathway. You will understand both existing paradigms in technology, as well as open-source approaches that utilise javascript, R, and Python to deliver seamless, efficient and aesthetically pleasing financial services to consumers.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

1. To understand finance and finance-relevant technology;
2. To equip students with practical skills required in FinTech, including programming and data analysis;
3. To develop uniquely inter-disciplinary understanding of the FinTech industry;
4. To provide strategic insights into how technological progress, the international regulatory environment, and the growing demands from consumers are rapidly changing the nature of competition in financial services;
5. To enable students to work effectively as team members in groups defined by diversity in culture and skills that reflect real FinTech startups and incumbent FinTech hubs
6. To provide opportunities for learning that is enriched by exposure to people of diverse cultural backgrounds and fields of study

4. Programme Structure

The MSc Financial Technology programme is a twelve-month programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of credits. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

 

Interim Awards

A Postgraduate Diploma is awarded when a student gains at least 120 credits, including at least 90 at Level M on a

designated programme.

 

A Postgraduate Certificate is awarded when a student gains at least 60 credits including at least 45 at Level M on a

designated programme.

5. Programme Modules

This programme is available for study 12 months full time over 3 terms and is university based throughout this time. The taught components of the programme are delivered in the first two terms, leaving the third term and most of the summer to research, write and submit your Hackathon assessment. 

During the programme you will study modules (including the Hackathon) totalling 180 credits. Please note that all options are available timetable permitting and may change.

Stage 1

Compulsory Modules

105 credits of compulsory modules, 75 credits of optional modules.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology 15No
BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1 15No
BEAM046 Financial Modelling 15No
BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology 15No
BEAM033 Banking and Financial Services 15No
BEEM063 Hackathon Project 30No

Optional Modules

75 credits of optional modules.

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
BEMM458 Programming for Business Analytics 15No
BEMM148 Marketing Strategy 15No
BEAM031 Financial Instruments 15No
BEAM035 Derivatives Pricing 15No
BEEM012 Applied Econometrics 2 15No
BEMM394 Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation 15No
BEEM154 Economics of Public Finance 15No
LAWM080 International Banking Law 30No
BEMM786 Service Design and Innovation 15No
BEMM178 Innovation Management 15No
BEAM052 Corporate Governance and Finance 15No
BEMM129 Digital Business Models 15No
BEEM159 Law for FinTech 15No
BEEM161 Smart Contracts 15No
BEEM157 Behavioural Finance 15No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Understand principles and practices relevant to Financial Technology
2. Understand Financial Technology developments from multi-stakeholder perspectives
3. Understand the implications and applications of Financial Technology

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:

The lectures and tutorials are designed to approach real Financial Technology case studies from a variety of discipline perspectives (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: The lectures and tutorials are designed to approach real Financial Technology case studies from a variety of discipline perspectives (ILOs 1-3).

BEAM046 Financial Modelling: Practical Lab classes cover understanding and practice in finance (ILOs 1-3).

BEAM046 Banking & Financial Services: Develops critical thinking alongside practical insights from guest lecturers (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM063 Hackathon: The short course consolidates students’ learning on core modules, adding training in how to work through projects reflectively and professionally (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: Includes Lab Classes that prepare students for submitting real data analysis (ILOs 1-3).

Subject-specific skills (ILOs 1-3) will be assessed through assignments, written examinations and a hackathon project.

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:

Assignment and examination (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: Assignment and examination(ILOs 1-3).

BEAM046 Financial Modelling: Exam and Group assignment (ILOs 1-3).

BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: Exam (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM063 Hackathon: Individually assessed written group project (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: Written examination and real data project (ILOs 1-3).

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

4. Develop practical programming, data manipulation and model building skills commonly utilised in the FinTech industry
5. Develop insights into the types of approaches FinTech practitioners use when solving economic and regulatory strategic issues
6. Understand how the academic disciplines of finance, economics, data science and law combine to determine FinTech evolution
7. Reflect on practical case experiences from the FinTech arena.

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:

Teaching material is informed by practitioners and  includes case studies, as well as practical programming classes (ILOs 4-7).

BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: This module builds on beem061 with similar activities (ILOs 4-7).

BEAM046 Financial Modelling: Practical Lab classes include data manipulation in Excel & VBA (ILOs 4,6).

BEAM046 Banking & Financial Services: Lectures cover key financial products, and include critical appraisal of developments since the financial crisis (ILOs 5-7).

BEEM063 Hackathon: The actual project includes an element of real programming and analysis, including business strategy (ILOs 4-7).

BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: Grounds students in enough econometric theory to be immediately applied to real datasets (ILOs 4,6).

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:

Assignment and examination (ILOs 4-7).

BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: Assignment and examination(ILOs 4-7).

BEAM046 Financial Modelling: Exam and Group assignment (ILOs 4,6).

BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: Exam (ILOs 5-7).

BEEM063 Hackathon: Individually assessed written group project (ILOs 1-3).

BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: Written examination and real data project (ILOs 4,6).

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

8. CONFIDENT COMMUNICATOR: Able to adapt and adjust both written and verbal communication styles, to meet the needs of diverse audiences.
9. INNOVATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVER: Able to confidently explore challenges from different perspectives, to creatively offer practical and timely solutions.
10. PROACTIVE COLLABORATOR: Able to actively build strong working relationships with others to have positive outcomes.
11. DIGITALLY FLUENT: Able to embrace a variety of digital technologies to critically source, process and communicate information.
12. RESILIENT SELF-ADVOCATE: Able to develop self-awareness through a commitment to learning from experiences and taking responsibility for personal growth.
13. CRITICAL THINKER: Able to proactively analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources to draw independent and well-founded conclusions.
14. GLOBALLY ENGAGED: Able to recognise diverse individual and cultural perspectives, in order to communicate on interconnected world issues and sustainable decisions

BEEM063: Hackathon involves group presentation as well as an individual report summarising their collaboration (ILO 8)
BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:
Formative presentations provide a low risk environment for students to practice their communication skills (ILO 8)

BEEM063: Hackathon requires students to build an innovative application using financial technology with real world applicability (ILO9)
BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: a machine learning model is built by students requiring high level problem solving skills (IL09).

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:
Formative presentations foster collegiate mentality from the start (ILO 10).
BEAM046 Financial Modelling: students are placed in groups of 5 where they collectively prepare assignments (ILO 10).
BEEM063: Hackathon: Students are placed into groups with the aim of drawing on their individual strengths in a multi-disciplinary environment (ILO 10).

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology
& BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology:
These modules are highly technological and digital by nature. (ILO 11).
BEAM046 Financial Modelling: The methods and models used on this course are develop common skills used all over the world in Excel & VBA (ILO 11).
BEEM063: Hackathon: Training consolidates technological and digital literacy already learned (ILO 11).
BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: The methods and models used on this course require training in the use of econometric software (ILO 11).

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:
Case studies include scenarios that government regulators face when balancing competing interests in finance (ILO 12).
BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: the ethical dilemmas posed by the financial crisis are examined critically (ILO 12).
BEEM063: Hackathon: Training on the module includes awareness of professional conduct (ILO 12).

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:
Formative presentations provide an opportunity for critical reflection on the nature of the FinTech industry (ILO 13).
BEAM046 Financial Modelling: weekly guided case studies help to prepare students for their group assignment (ILO 13).
BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: students critically appraise the financial crisis (ILO 13).
BEEM063: Hackathon: Projects incorporate reflection on where practical solutions to real problems fit strategically, and on how the students developed (ILO 13).
BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: This module helps students understand the philosophical trade-offs between type 1 and type 2 errors so that they can critically judge any statistical analyses (ILO 13).

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:
Case studies used are from countries all over the world including Singapore, and the student intake should be international, and includes formative group work (ILO 14).
BEAM046 Financial Modelling: The methods and models used on this course are the same all over the world (ILO 14).
BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: global issues in finance are approached from a critical perspective (ILO 14).
BEEM063 Hackathon: Projects are defined by a range of truly global organisations
BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: The methods and models used on this course are the same all over the world (ILO 14).

 

BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology:
Assignment and examination (ILOs 8-14).
BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: Assignment and examination (ILOs 9,11).
BEAM046 Financial Modelling: Exam and Group assignment (ILOs 10-14).
BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: Exam (ILOs 12-14).
BEEM063: Hackathon: Individually assessed written group project (ILOs 8-14).
BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: Written examination and real data project (ILOs 11,13-14).

7. Programme Regulations

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Personal and Academic tutoring: It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

 

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits

180

 ECTS credits

90

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

[Honours] Finance

23. Dates

Origin Date Date of last revision

21/07/2022