Financial Technology and Innovation MSc

Program Overview

---

Financial Technology and Innovation MSc

Key information

Duration: 12 months

Attendance mode: Full-time

Location: Bunhill Row, Central London

Start of programme: September 2025

Application deadline: Rolling applications

Entry year: Showing course information for 2025

Overview

This course is designed for anyone eager to be part of the systemic shift in Finance, driven by the power of digital innovation.

Focusing on the financial sector—including instruments, institutions, and markets—you'll explore how cutting-edge technologies like digital ledgers, AI/ML, tokenisation, and digital platforms are reshaping the way Finance works.

You'll gain hands-on insight into designing next-gen processes, tools, and even autonomous organisations that empower users—from global corporations to everyday individuals—to rethink Finance. Whether it's advancing financial inclusion, revolutionising credit risk assessment, enhancing risk management, automating trading, or optimising portfolios, you’ll be equipped to make a real impact.

Why choose this course?

• Work directly with industry partners on projects as part of your rounded learning experience
• Connect directly with the financial industry and fintech scene in and surrounding the City of London
• Join us at Bayes, situated right by the square mile and London's financial district
• Design and develop solutions while collaborating with peers from different areas of knowledge and expertise across programmes
• Prepare for a wide range of careers for Finance – equipped with cutting-edge knowledge on digital finance, regulation and more.

Course objectives

Shaping the Future of Finance and Technology

At Bayes Business School, our FinTech-focused programme offers a forward-thinking, interdisciplinary approach that prepares you to thrive in the rapidly evolving financial sector. Designed for those with a passion for innovation in finance, this course bridges theory and practice, equipping you with the technical, analytical, and strategic skills sought after by leading employers.

You will have the opportunity to attend a series of guest lectures delivered by professionals from global financial institutions and FinTech companies. These sessions provide first-hand insight into the digital transformation reshaping finance and offer valuable perspectives from practitioners who are actively driving technological change across the industry.

You will apply your learning to real-world challenges through an industry-based final dissertation. This year’s projects include collaborations with MSCI on the asset pricing and risk-return dynamics of crypto assets; dealio.ai on machine learning applications in tactical asset allocation and risk management; and the Bank of England on analysing the volatility characteristics of cryptocurrencies.

The programme integrates Python and R as core tools for data analysis and problem solving, enabling you to engage with advanced analytics and develop robust, data-driven financial solutions. This technical training is aligned with the latest developments in data science and financial technology, ensuring graduates remain at the forefront of innovation.

Teaching staff

This new fintech course will be delivered by our expert Bayes academics. Our teaching staff all have many years of practical experience working in industry as well as being active researchers in their fields. This pairing of industry experience and active research provides a topical, hands-on learning environment.

Dr Zsofia Kraussl

Senior Lecturer in Finance and Technology

Course content

Prior to beginning of this degree, you will be offered access to pre-study modules that focus building on mathematical and statistical skills, and which introduce you to coding in Python.

You'll develop a clear understanding of how modern financial markets function and how to apply quantitative and algorithmic tools to attack systemic problems (for example by using machine learning to aid portfolio construction or by building blockchain-based savings protocols). You also receive skills required by an entrepreneur looking to innovate in finance or banking, including knowledge of the relevant regulatory environment.

The programme is practical and hands-on, but you'll also obtain a thorough, research-led, high-level, topical postgraduate training. The fundamental aim of the MSc course is to deliver graduates with both a solid theoretical underpinning and the ability to apply knowledge to practical problems immediately.

Course structure

Programme content is subject to change. We regularly review our module offering and amend to keep up to date and relevant.

Induction weeks

All of our MSc courses start with two compulsory induction weeks which include relevant refresher courses, an introduction to the careers services and the annual careers fair.

Modules

Eight compulsory modules are given in terms 1 and 2. Term 3 is dedicated to a compulsory and supervised industry-led project, as well as to three elective modules of your choice.

Term 1

Compulsory modules

• Financial markets and financial intermediation
• Foundations of Fintech
• Foundations of Data Science
• Innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial technology

Term 2

Compulsory modules

• Regulatory Compliance, Ethics, Social Values
• Digital money and banking
• Data Analytics for Fintech
• Decentralised finance and blockchain applications

Term 3

In your third term you'll work on a compulsory and supervised industry-led project alongside a choice of three elective modules.

• Industry project
• Elective modules
  • Sustainable Finance with ESG
  • Data Management Systems
  • Financial Crime
  • Ethics Society and the Financial Sector
  • Field trip and study – international exposure
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Trading and Hedging in the FOREX Market
  • Investment Strategy
  • Hedge Funds
  • Foreign Exchange.

Assessment methods

• Course work
• Tests
• Individual presentations
• Group projects

Term dates

Term dates 2025/26

• Induction: 15th September 2025 - 26th September 2025
• Term one: 29th September 2025 - 12th December 2025
• Term one exams: 5th January 2026 - 16th January 2026
• Term two: 19th January 2026 - 3rd April 2026
• Term two exams: 20th April 2026 - 1st May 2026
• Term three - international electives: 4th May 2026 - 15th May 2026
• Term three: 18th May 2026 - 3rd July 2026
• Term three exams: 6th July 2026 - 17th July 2026
• Resits: 10th August 2026 - 21st August 2026
• Additional resit week - tests only: 24th August 2026 - 28th August 2026.

Careers

In the past year, our Financial Technology and Innovation students have engaged in valuable career development opportunities. Notably, they participated in an alumni panel event featuring a senior vice president specialising in digital transformation, providing insights into current trends and career paths in the fintech sector.

Additionally, students benefited from both a Banking and Tech Sector Overview, which enhanced their understanding of the industry landscape and the role of technology in shaping financial services.

Dedicated to your success

From the moment you accept your offer, you'll have access to our dedicated Postgraduate Careers Service, tailored to support your career journey. Our Career Accelerator module, launched over the summer, provides early access to valuable resources, employer insights, and career planning tools to prepare you for the job market.

Our expert Postgraduate Careers Team, made up of experienced recruiters and career coaches offers personalised one-to-one guidance, covering everything from networking and CV building to job offer management and mock interviews. Whether you’re pursuing a new career path, seeking an entry-level role, or launching your own business, you'll receive support to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

You'll also benefit from exclusive events such as Careers Fairs, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with industry professionals and alumni, helping you explore career options and make valuable connections.

Workshops led by our Careers Team and industry experts cover essential professional skills, including presentation techniques, personal branding, and assessment centre success, ensuring you stand out in the job market.

Additionally, Bayes Careers Online (BCO) offers career planning tools, guidance leaflets, access to job postings directly from employers and key career events, helping you stay on track with your career goals.

Alumni stories

• Hear from our alumni. Discover the real experiences of learning at Bayes and how Bayes helped to boost our graduates' careers.

Fees & funding

International fee

September 2025 entry

£33,100

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

UK/Home fee

September 2025 entry

£26,500

Tuition fees are subject to annual change.

• Deposit: £2,000 (usually paid within 1 month of receiving offer and non-refundable unless conditions of offer are not met).
• First installment: Half fees less deposit (payable during on-line registration which should be completed at least 5 days before the start of the induction period).
• Second installment: Half fees (paid in January following start of course).

Graduate Loyalty Discount

We are offering a Graduate Loyalty Discount of 20% on tuition fees to all our alumni when applying to any of our degree courses.

To be eligible for the discount you must have successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at legacy City, University of London or legacy St George's, University of London.

To apply you will need to be accepted onto your intended course of study and to meet all the normal academic admissions criteria for the relevant course at City St George's, University of London.

Scholarships & bursaries

Scholarships, sponsorships, loans and other funding could support your education at Bayes Business School.

Learn about the cost of living as a Bayes student in London.

Scholarships

We have a range of scholarships for Master's degrees at Bayes Business Scool. Most scholarship applications for 2025/26 year of entry will open in January 2025.

View our scholarships and funding

Other funding opportunities

Scholarships are very competitive, you may wish to look other options for funding, including the government PG Loan.

View other funding options

Sponsorship

Students on the course who are sponsored in full or in part by their employer will need to complete a sponsorship form as part of the application process.

View our sponsorship guidance

Entry requirements

• A UK upper second-class degree or above in Finance or Finance-related disciplines, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.
• A UK upper second-class degree in Management disciplines with a proven, i.e. upper second-class level in mathematics and/or in statistics, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.
• A UK upper second-class degree in Quantitative disciplines with a proven, i.e. upper second-class level in mathematics and/or in statistics, or the equivalent from an overseas institution.

Work experience is not a requirement of this course, but may strengthen your application, in case your main degree in Management or in Quantitative disciplines, is more relevant and topical.

English language requirements

If you have been studying in the UK for the last three years it is unlikely that you will have to take an English language test.

If you have studied in the UK at degree level for less than three years (e.g. 3+1, 2+1, 2+2, etc.) you will be required to provide the results of an approved English language test and possibly resit the test to meet our academic entry requirements.

Full list of approved English language tests/qualifications and minimum requirements.

Apply

Please see our Application Guide for details of the documents you will need to supply as part of your application, and other useful information.

We cannot comment on individual eligibility before you apply. We can only make a decision on your application once it is fully complete, with all requested information received.

Applicants selected by the Admissions Panel may be invited to an online interview. We will contact all selected applicants with full instructions after the Admissions Panel has made an initial assessment of your application.

We strongly advise you to provide us with your own personal email address when applying to avoid missing interview deadlines and any important information sent from the Admissions Team.

Your motivation letter shall clearly state, what interests you the most in this MSc degree, and how you believe this inter-disciplinary degree can help you for your future career.

Frequently asked questions

Apply for September 2025 entry

We only accept online applications.

Apply - MSc Financial Technology and Innovation

Individual Appointments

If you would like to arrange an individual appointment to discuss the application process and be given a tour of the facilities, please complete this form.

Please note - these are subject to availability and will be on campus.

Terms and conditions

Students applying to study at Bayes Business School are subject to City, University of London's terms and conditions.

Student life

We are located right in the heart of London. Being a City St George's student allows you to take advantage of all that London has to offer.

London is ranked first as 'Best Student City' in the world to study in (QS, 2025).

• Living in London
• Student support
• Accommodation

Have a question about student experience at Bayes?

Talk one-on-one with a student who is currently studying at Bayes.

Ask a student

Contact us

Speak to one of our staff from Master's programmes teams.

• Book an MSc Consultation
• Enquiries form
• Events

Related courses

• Financial Mathematics
• Mathematical Trading and Finance
• Quantitative Finance