Programme Specification for the 2020/1 academic year
MSc Financial Technology (FinTech)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Financial Technology (FinTech) | Programme code | PTS1SBESBE40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Academic year | 2020/1 | |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (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. You will also have the opportunity to specialise from a list of options that range from the more technical (Programming for Business Analytics and Database Technologies for Business Analytics) to the more entrepreneurial and business oriented (Entrepreneurship and Marketing Strategy in the Business School).
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
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
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
135 credits of compulsory modules.
*Optional for January Cohort
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEEM061 | Fundamentals of Financial Technology | 15 | No |
| BEEM011 | Applied Econometrics 1 | 15 | No |
| BEAM046 | Financial Modelling | 15 | No |
| BEEM062 | Advanced Financial Technology | 15 | No |
| LAWM080 | International Banking Law * | 30 | No |
| BEAM033 | Banking and Financial Services | 15 | No |
| BEEM063 | Hackathon Project | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
45 credits of optional modules.
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEMM458 | Programming for Business Analytics | 15 | No |
| BEMM459 | Database Technologies for Business Analytics | 15 | No |
| BEMM148 | Marketing Strategy | 15 | No |
| BEAM031 | Financial Instruments | 15 | No |
| BEAM035 | Derivatives Pricing | 15 | No |
| BEEM012 | Applied Econometrics 2 | 15 | No |
| BEMM394 | Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation | 15 | No |
| BEMM178 | Innovation Management | 15 | No |
| BEMM070 | Service Innovation and Marketing | 15 | No |
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 | 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). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Includes formative presentations on banking news to compliment examination of the regulatory structure in which banks operate at an international, EU and UK level (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). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Submitted Essay Assignment (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 | 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). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Includes formative presentations on banking news to compliment examination of the regulatory structure in which banks operate at an international, EU and UK level (ILOs 5-6). | 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). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Submitted Essay Assignment (ILOs 5-6). |
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. A Global Outlook: Our graduates are engaged and prepared for the demands of global business and society. | 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 8). BEAM046 Financial Modelling: The methods and models used on this course are the same all over the world (ILO 8). BEAM046 Banking & Financial Services: global issues in finance are approached from a critical perspective (ILO 8). 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 8). LAWM080 International Banking Law: lecture content includes detail on the regulatory structure in which banks operate at an international level (ILO 8).
BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology: Formative presentations provide an opportunity for critical reflection on the nature of the FinTech industry (ILO 9). BEAM046 Financial Modelling: weekly guided case studies help to prepare students for their group assignment (ILO 9). BEAM046 Banking & Financial Services: students critically appraise the financial crisis (ILO 9). BEEM063: Hackathon: Projects incorporate reflection on where practical solutions to real problems fit strategically, and on how the students developed (ILO 9). 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 9). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Students are shown examples of how to write critical essays in Banking Law (ILO 9).
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). LAWM080 International Banking Law: A summative group work component should be added for 2020 (ILO 10).
BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology: Case studies include scenarios that government regulators face when balancing competing interests in finance(ILO 11). BEAM046 Banking & Financial Services: the ethical dilemmas posed by the financial crisis are examined critically (ILO 11). BEEM063: Hackathon: Training on the module includes awareness of professional conduct (ILO 11). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Ethics lie at the heart of this module, and are frequently explored within the context of debates on how banking law is evolving (ILO 11).
BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology & BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: These modules are highly technological and digital by nature. (ILO 12). BEAM046 Financial Modelling: The methods and models used on this course are develop common skills used all over the world in Excel & VBA (ILO 12). BEEM063: Hackathon: Training consolidates technological and digital literacy already learned (ILO 12). BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: The methods and models used on this course require training in the use of econometric software (ILO 12). | BEEM061 Fundamentals of Financial Technology: Assignment and examination (ILOs 8-12). BEEM062 Advanced Financial Technology: Assignment and examination(ILOs 8-10,12). BEAM046 Financial Modelling: Exam and Group assignment (ILOs 8-10,12). BEAM033 Banking & Financial Services: Exam (ILOs 8-9,11). BEEM063: Hackathon: Individually assessed written group project (ILOs 8-12). BEEM011 Applied Econometrics 1: Written examination and real data project (ILOs 8-9,12). LAWM080 International Banking Law: Submitted Essay Assignment (ILOs 8-11). |
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
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
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
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
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.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
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
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:
- Admissions, progression and completion data
- In Year Analysis data
- Previous monitoring report
- Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
- External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
- Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
- Consultation with employers and former students
- Staff evaluation
- Student evaluation
- Programme aims
Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)
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
Not applicable to this programme.
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
Level 1
23. Dates
| Origin Date | Date of last revision | 25/03/2021 |
|---|
