FinTech and Policy MSc – 2023 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2023
- Study mode and duration
- Full-time: 1 year
Why choose this course
The new FinTech sector is transforming the global financial services industry, which has increasing demand for advanced data analytics skills and knowledge.
Our MSc FinTech and Policy course will provide you with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to work as a professional within the financial services industry and regulatory organisations. Through a carefully selected mix of modules, you’ll obtain a solid understanding of financial regulation, technology, and law, while you learn how to navigate an increasingly complex, dynamic and global financial environment.
You’ll be taught by expert research-active academics in business and law, as well as numerous industry professionals, who will guide you through a forward-thinking and refreshing combination of academic theory and industry experience.
We were ranked 67th for business and economics in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.
What you will study
In an intensely competitive employment market, employers are increasingly looking for graduates with transferrable knowledge and skills that cut across the areas of finance, law and technology.
Our FinTech and Policy MSc will enable you to understand the rapidly changing financial market conditions, investment technologies and regulatory climates that drive business decisions around the world.
Our course will equip you with the skills and training to give you a competitive edge in today’s job market, especially for those seeking to combine business training with exploration of the law and ethics, in responding to and shaping technological innovation.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Teaching staff
Taught by an incredible team of subject matter experts, including Professor Bonnie Buchanan who wrote the Turing Institute Report on AI in Financial Services and SWIFT report on FinTech in China versus the West. Professor Buchanan has presented seminars and workshops on FinTech and AI at SIBOS, the Bank of England and Bank of Finland. She has also testified before the US House of Financial Services on AI and algorithmic bias and appears regularly in the media. Professor Buchanan is the co-recipient of a £233,000 UK Innovate grant on AI.
Our Business School will also provide you with opportunities to obtain practical skills development through a state-of-the-art Bloomberg trading room.
Professional recognition
MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
Our masters will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to understand the ever-changing FinTech landscape.
With an MSc in FinTech and Policy it's likely you'll pursue a career in roles like the following:
- App Developer
- Compliance Officer
- Data Specialist
- Financial Analyst
- Blockchain Developer, and many more.
Schools and departments
Academic year structure
Full-time students complete four modules per semester. Case and project topics are normally allocated towards the end of the spring semester, and work on these will be carried out during the summer period.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7
SEPTEMBER START
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these TWO compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM493 - OVERVIEW OF FINTECH
LAWM161 - ETHICS AND REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT
LAWM163 - CYBERLAW
MANM530- PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
LAWM162 - FINANCIAL REGULATION AND FINTECH POLICY
MANM491 - PYTHON PROGRAMMING IN FINTECH
And you will need to choose THREE of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM200 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
MANM525 - FINANCIAL MODELLING
MANM547 - MACHINE LEARNING/AI & VISUALISATIONS
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE
Semester 2 Summer period you will study the following TWO compulsory modules (15 credits each unless otherwise stated):
MANM521 - CASES IN FINTECH AND POLICY
MANM492 - FINTECH AND POLICY PROJECT (30 credits)
FEBRUARY START
First semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these three compulsory modules (15 credits each):
LAWM162 - FINANCIAL REGULATION AND FINTECH POLICY
MANM491 - PYTHON PROGRAMMING IN FINTECH
MANM493 - OVERVIEW OF FINTECH
And you will need to choose two of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM200 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
MANM525 - FINANCIAL MODELLING
MANM524- PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE
Summer period (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each)
MANM521 - CASES IN FINTECH AND POLICY
MANM492 - FINTECH AND POLICY PROJECT (30 credits)
Second semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study the following ONE compulsory modules and THREE optional module (15 credits each unless otherwise stated) :
LAWM161 - ETHICS AND REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
And you will need to choose THREE of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT
LAWM163 - CYBERLAW
MANM530- PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
If you wish to take MANM547 - MACHINE LEARNING/AI & VISUALISATIONS and you are a February starter, you can only have the following structure due to the module prerequisites:
First semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these three compulsory modules and one optional module (15 credits each):
LAWM162 - FINANCIAL REGULATION AND FINTECH POLICY
MANM491 - PYTHON PROGRAMMING IN FINTECH
MANM493 - OVERVIEW OF FINTECH
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS
Summer period (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM521 - CASES IN FINTECH AND POLICY
MANM492 - FINTECH AND POLICY PROJECT (30 credits)
MANM547 - MACHINE LEARNING/AI & VISUALISATIONS
Second semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study the following ONE compulsory modules and THREE optional module (15 credits each unless otherwise stated):
LAWM161 - ETHICS AND REGULATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
And you will need to choose THREE of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT
LAWM163 - CYBERLAW
MANM530 - PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday - Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree in any recognised subject is required, although students with degrees with any of the following subjects would be especially well equipped for our MSc programme: Accountancy, banking, business administration, law, politics, economics, engineering, finance, management, mathematics or science or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
International entry requirements by country
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit transfer
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees per year
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £13,900
- Overseas
- £22,000
Please note:
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on a two-year full-time MFA programme, or a two-year or three-year part-time masters programme (excluding modular/self-paced/distance learning), the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a tuition fee loan: Will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a tuition fee loan: Are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
- If you are sponsored: You will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
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Course | Status |
|---|---|
FinTech and Policy MSc Full-time, 12 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. | |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH