Program Overview

Program Overview

The MSc Financial Technology is a specialist degree that prepares students to navigate and redefine the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology. This program is designed to develop professionals who understand both the technology and its financial, regulatory, and ethical implications.

Why Study MSc Financial Technology?

There is a demand for specialists who can implement blockchain payment systems while ensuring regulatory compliance, deploy AI in trading while managing algorithmic risk, and build digital financial services while addressing cybersecurity threats. The MSc Financial Technology is designed to develop exactly this breadth.

• Delivered jointly by Birmingham Business School, the School of Computer Science, and industry practitioners, students learn where finance and technology intersect - not as separate disciplines, but as integrated problem-solving.
• Join a small cohort on this competitive specialist program, giving students the opportunity to work closely with academic and industry experts, and fellow students.
• Students have access to the state-of-the-art Bloomberg training suite where a range of trading techniques can be practiced.
• Join hackathon events and real-time industry projects where students apply theory to practice, creating crowdfunding platforms, developing blockchain solutions to combat fraud, creating algorithmic trading applications, and designing financial services apps.
• Benefit from having access to the Sustainable Finance and Innovation Centre, and the ESG hub, where students undertake client-based projects and gain hands-on experience with the latest financial tools and software.

Course Delivery

The Financial Technology Masters degree includes a wide variety of learning and teaching, including:

• Taught modules – these include lectures, laboratory workshops, and seminars.
• Assessments - these will include a combination of case studies, participative exercises, interactive lectures, presentations, written exams, and group projects.
• Individual Project - During the summer term, graduates collaborate with industry partners and supervisors to design and implement innovative industry solutions.

Module Information

The course comprises 180 credits, taught through a series of 20 credit modules and a 60 credit Individual Project. Students will study five core modules and choose one optional module.

Core Modules

• Corporate Finance (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Ethical AI and Regulations in FinTech (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Payment Systems (20 credits, Semester 1)
• Blockchain, Financial Applications, and Cybersecurity (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Machine Learning and Data Analytics in Finance (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Individual Project (60 credits, Full Term)

Optional Modules

• Private Equity and Venture Finance (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Risk Management in Financial Markets (20 credits, Semester 2)
• Visualisation (20 credits, Semester 2)

Teaching Staff

The Programme Director is Dr. Francesco Pierangeli, Assistant Professor of Finance at Birmingham Business School.

Entry Requirements

To gain a place at Birmingham, students will need to meet the general entry requirements, as well as those specific to the course. The application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor.

• 2:1 Honours degree or postgraduate diploma from a UK university (or overseas equivalent).
• This is a highly mathematical program that requires students to be comfortable with numbers and mathematical techniques.
• Applicants with prior study in a highly quantitative subject area such as Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Finance, or Science are encouraged to apply.
• Good programming skills and/or two years of relevant work experience are not strict requirements but will add weight to an application.

English Language Requirements

If students are international, they will need to demonstrate they have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.
• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking, and 21 in Writing.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component.
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill.

Fees and Scholarships

• £18,900 (Full-time)
• We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.
• The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of the program.

Paying Your Tuition Fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by installments.

Scholarships

To help students afford their studies, the university has put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. The Birmingham Business School Masters Scholarships are designed to empower the next generation of leaders who are passionate about advancing responsible business and driving positive change.

Application Process

To apply for a postgraduate program, students will need to submit their application and supporting documents online.

• 28 August 2026 (Application deadline for UK and non-visa requiring applicants)
• We will close applications as soon as the program is full. Early applications are encouraged.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Financial Technology program unlock diverse career opportunities across the rapidly evolving financial sector. Equipped with cutting-edge skills in AI, blockchain, data analytics, and cybersecurity, students are prepared for roles in financial institutions, tech firms, and startups.

Careers Support for Business School Students

Throughout their studies and beyond, students will have access to dedicated careers guidance designed for their success in the global marketplace. Our comprehensive service combines specialist business school expertise with university-wide resources, offering tailored workshops, networking events with alumni and leading employers, and personalized one-to-one consultations.

Related Courses

• Financial Economics (MSc)
• Financial Management (MSc)
• Money, Banking, and Finance (MSc)

Student Experience

At Birmingham, the university experience isn’t just about studying. Students will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills, and make friends for life.

• Accommodation: Coming to Birmingham to study might be the first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow students to enjoy their independence in safe, welcoming, and sociable surroundings.
• Living in Birmingham: As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry.
• Student Support: Whoever students are and wherever they come from, the university is committed to providing the best possible support to all students so that they can get the most out of their university experience.
• Campus Life: Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax, and socialize. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.