Program Overview

Master of Applied Finance - Financial Technology

The Master of Applied Finance - Financial Technology at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is designed to equip professionals with the skills to lead the FinTech industry. This specialized program combines core financial principles with advanced technological applications, providing expertise in blockchain technology, digital banking, algorithmic trading, and financial data analytics.

Program Overview

The program requires the successful completion of 72 credit points of subjects and normally takes five or six trimesters to complete. The capstone subject, Business Research Capstone, should be completed within the final session of study.

Program Structure

The program consists of:

• Program Core Subjects
  • Business Statistics
  • Financial Statement Analysis for Business
  • Advanced Managerial Finance
  • Socially Responsible Finance
  • Financial Institutions
  • Risk Management
• Specialisation Core Subjects
  • Tokenised Assets and Decentralised Finance
  • Ethics and Regulation in FinTech
  • FinTech Applications in Banking and Insurance
• Elective Subjects
  • Students must complete two elective subjects (12 credit points of 900 level) from subjects offered from the School of Business.
• Capstone Project
  • Business Research Capstone

Program Outcomes

The program learning outcomes for the Master of Applied Finance program and the major in Financial Technology include:

1. Integrating technical, theoretical, and industry knowledge as it relates to the operation of the organization of and participation in local and international finance.
2. Critically applying technical, theoretical, and industry knowledge and skills to propose solutions to routine and/or emerging problems in finance.
3. Exercising professional judgment to propose solutions to problems in diverse contexts using economic, finance, regulatory, and ethical perspectives.
4. Communicating appropriately in oral, written, and visual forms with relevant stakeholders.
5. Working appropriately with others in order to achieve outputs relevant to finance.
6. Conducting an applied research project.
7. Reflecting on performance and feedback to identify learning opportunities and self-improvement.

Financial Technology Concentration Learning Outcomes

In addition to the Master of Applied Finance learning outcomes, students will be required to meet the following proposed learning outcomes for this major:

1. Inspecting a variety of financial assets and range of investment scenarios using analytical tools and processes for financial and investment decisions.
2. Applying financial technology strategies grounded in responsible professional practice and principles of sustainability.
3. Proposing effective technology-based solutions, employing rigorous analysis and critical evaluation.
4. Explaining the complex relationships between investors, financial institutions, regulators, and markets across a range of investment and financing contexts.
5. Applying knowledge effectively in financial technology to make informed decisions.

Accreditation and Recognition

All degrees at the University of Wollongong in Dubai are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Education and are licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The degree is quality assured by UOW, which is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the national regulator of the higher education sector in Australia.

Professional Accreditation

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) provides an international seal of approval for business programs that ensures the educational needs of students are met through high-quality, continuous improvement, and excellence in education.

Faculty

The faculty includes:

• Dr. Haroon Khan, Associate Professor and Finance Program Director
• Dr. Burcu Kapar, Associate Professor
• Dr. Kashif Saleem, Associate Professor
• Dr. Osama Al-Hares, Associate Professor and Director (Postgraduate Programs)
• Dr. Vikash Ramiah, Associate Professor and Head of Postgraduate Studies (HPS)

Admission Requirements

Students applying for a master's degree must have completed a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) at an accredited institution of higher education and have achieved the minimum grades outlined below:

• Country-specific GPA requirements are listed in the admission requirements table.
• English language proficiency requirements:
  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.0 with 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.0 in Listening and Speaking
  • TOEFL: 79 with not less than 20 in Writing, 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 16 in Speaking

Credit for Prior Learning

If you are seeking credit for prior learning, you will need to submit an official academic transcript showing all courses studied and the grades obtained, syllabus details (including information on course content) for the courses you have successfully completed, and an explanation of the grading system.

Attestation of Documents

Applications are required to obtain attestation/equivalency of their bachelor's degree from the UAE Ministry of Education. The attestation/equivalency process is dependent upon whether you completed your bachelor's degree within the UAE or outside the UAE.