MSc Financial Technology with Data Science

Program Overview

MSc Financial Technology with Data Science

Overview

From crowdfunding to cryptocurrencies, and from automated trading to Alipay, recent innovations in financial technologies have revolutionised the way we spend, save, borrow, and invest. Companies in the financial services sector are now able to intelligently harness data to provide tailored products and services; big technology corporations offer financial services to customers through their social media accounts; and disruptive technology startups have quickly scaled to challenge the dominance of traditional banks by developing new forms of finance from the ground up.

This MSc offers an opportunity to join the financial technology revolution. You will learn the key design features of a number of financial technology applications and will develop skills to implement, assess and engineer these technologies. You will also develop an understanding of the computational, statistical and machine learning principles necessary for insightful large-scale data analysis used in data-driven finance.

Hosted by a world-leading engineering faculty, this is a technology-focused MSc and not a finance or accounting programme that is traditionally provided by a business school. Therefore, we expect applicants to have a strong background in computer science, engineering or a numerate science. A background in economics or finance is not expected or required.

This MSc is likely to appeal to applicants looking to start or advance their careers in data-driven finance and technology. The UK is a world leader in financial technology and the Bristol region has a flourishing fintech ecosystem. The programme has been co-designed with industrial partners and will offer opportunities to engage with industry on real-world commercial projects.

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time; Two to three years part-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline: Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025; Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

On entry, you will take one of two foundational units, depending on your previous experience. Students without software development experience will take a unit in Software Development, Programming and Algorithms; alternatively, students with software development experience will take a unit in Statistical Computing and Empirical Methods. When you arrive, your unit choice will be decided, based on your previous experience, in consultation with your personal tutor.

The remainder of the programme consists of compulsory units such as Large-Scale Data Engineering; Introduction to Financial Technology; Introduction to AI and Data Analytics; Advanced Financial Technology; and Financial Technology Group Project.

All students will complete their studies with an individual research or implementation project of their choosing from a selection proposed by project supervisors. This unit will provide students with first-hand experience in planning, running, documenting, and presenting a substantial piece of original work in the field of financial technology. The aim of this unit is to give students a substantial opportunity to integrate material from all taught units that they have studied as part of the programme, to demonstrate the breadth and depth of their learning on the MSc.

Entry Requirements

• You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Numerate Science, Computer Science, or Engineering.
• The following degrees are also acceptable:
  • Accounting
  • Astrophysics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Econometrics
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Genetics
  • Geology / Earth Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Operations Research
  • Physics
  • Psychology

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £18,400 per year
• Home: part-time (three years) £6,133 per year
• Home: part-time (two years) £9,200 per year
• Overseas: full-time £35,500 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Career Prospects

This programme has been co-designed with industrial partners to ensure that graduates are equipped with highly in-demand analytical, statistical and programming skills suitable for a range of technology careers in the financial services sector, as well as data scientist and data engineer roles in other non-finance industries. Graduates will also be prepared for careers in research and development or could go on to launch a fintech startup.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc program in Financial Technology with Data Science aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly evolving financial technology landscape. Graduates will be prepared for careers in data-driven finance and technology, data science, data engineering, research and development, or fintech startups.

Outline:

The program consists of a combination of compulsory and optional units. Students without software development experience will take a 20-credit unit in Software Development, Programming and Algorithms, while those with experience will take a 20-credit unit in Statistical Computing and Empirical Methods. Compulsory units include:

• Large-Scale Data Engineering (20 credits)
• Introduction to Financial Technology (20 credits)
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (10 credits)
• Introduction to Data Analytics (10 credits)
• Advanced Financial Technology (20 credits)
• Financial Technology Group Project (20 credits)

Teaching:

The program is hosted by the University of Bristol's world-leading engineering faculty and is taught by a team of experienced academics and industry professionals. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through practical projects and group work.

Careers:

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for careers in data-driven finance and technology, data science, data engineering, research and development, or fintech startups. The program has been co-designed with industrial partners to ensure that graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge that are in high demand in the financial services sector.

Other:

• The program is one year full-time or two to three years part-time.
• The start date is September 2024.
• The application deadline for overseas applicants is 24 July 2024, and for home applicants is 9 August 2024.
• The program is delivered on-campus in Clifton.
• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of the University's research is assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

UK: full-time £17,700 per year UK: part-time (two years) £8,850 per year UK: part-time (three years) £5,900 per year Overseas: full-time £34,200 per year