UNSW Master of Financial Technology

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 18

Master of

Financial Technology
Respond to the technological
revolution in finance
CRICOS Provider Code 00098G

Master of Financial Technology


Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology
Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology
Contents
Learn at UNSW. A World Leader. 01

Master of Financial Technology 02

Program overview 03

The UNSW Online experience 05

Program details 06

Entry requirements 07

Get in touch 08

Course descriptions 09

2 Master of Financial Technology


Learn at UNSW.
A World Leader.
Top three for graduate Top in state
employability UNSW top in NSW for 2019 Australian
UNSW is ranked in the top three Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project
universities in Australia for graduate funding scheme.
employability, and is 27th in the world.
QS World University Rankings by Graduate
Employability, 2020
Top ranked for Accounting
and Finance
UNSW is ranked 2nd in Australia and
Top ranked for Engineering within the top 20 globally for Accounting
and Technology and Finance subjects.
Ranked #1 in Australia for Engineering QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021
and Technology.
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2021
Globally recognised degrees
UNSW Business School is accredited
by AACSB International Business
Accreditation and EQUIS.

Global top 50
university
UNSW is ranked 43rd
overall in the world.

QS World University Rankings, 2022

1 Master of Financial Technology


Master of
Financial
Technology
Financial Technology (FinTech) professionals are in high demand
worldwide. The shortage of professionals with FinTech skills is
particularly challenging in Australia.

Employer demand for the right mix of finance and technology expertise is
growing faster than the Australian labour market can fill. In addition, 45% of
leaders in FinTech companies believe attracting qualified or suitable talent is
one of their major challenges.1

The online Master of Financial Technology program is for ambitious working professionals who are familiar
with the finance industry. They can imagine the data and technology to innovate, evaluate, communicate
and implement new ideas. They are ready to capitalise on opportunities in the growing FinTech industry.
This program is designed and delivered by Australia’s top ranked school of Banking and Finance, at UNSW
Business School.

Designed and delivered with Build applicable real-world


industry for industry FinTech skills
The program is developed with industry Build knowledge of the latest technology
professionals, and validated by through hands-on experience and applied
students as being sought after skills learning, while understanding the full
and competencies required by FinTech context of the FinTech landscape.
specialists.

Quality and reputation Accelerated learning with


Learn from a highly awarded and ranked immediate ROI
global university, which provides world- With intakes every two months, study
class education, substantial career one course at a time, 100% online and
opportunities, extensive industry accelerated, instantly adding value to your
connections and a hugely successful and career and organisation.
diverse alumni community of over 300,000.

¹EY FinTech Australia Census Report 2018, Ernst & Young Advisory Services, 2019

2 Master of Financial Technology


Program overview
COURSES AT A GLANCE
01. FinTech Ecosystem and Industry Insights
02. Decentralised Finance Masters
03. RegTech Applications for Banking and Finance Study all 12 courses
04. Technical Tools for FinTech
05. Problem-Solving Methods for FinTech*
06. Data Management for FinTech
Graduate Diploma
07. Robo-Advisory and Portfolio Optimisation
08. Tech Disruption in Payments and Transfers Any 8 of the
first 10 courses listed
09. Tech Disruption in Funding and Lending
10. InsurTech and Financial Risk Management
11. Managing a FinTech Startup Graduate Certificate
12. Applied FinTech Project
Any 4 of the
first 10 courses listed
*Pre-req: Technical Tools for FinTech

View full course descriptions

Not all courses are offered each Hexamester Schedule a call


Speak with an advisor about desired program outcomes and possible degree pathways

3 Master of Financial Technology


Knowledge areas
Finance and the future

The advent and growth of technology, in all facets, is changing the way we
work. Develop a comprehensive understanding of how technology is enhancing,
reimagining and disrupting financial services and markets.

Build a foundational understanding of the current financial services industry


landscape and gain an insight into the impact of disruptive technological advances.
Learn about the effects of advanced modelling for fiscal decision making.

Ethics and governance

Ethical and governance considerations underpin the role of a modern FinTech


professional. Individual courses within this program reflect the importance of
understanding the relevant frameworks and what it means to be an ethical
professional in a disruptive and innovative industry.

Understand the relevant regulatory frameworks and gain an overview of the types
of requirements that apply to modern financial corporations and the core systems
that are deployed to address these requirements.

Learn about key concerns emerging from crises and scandals within the banking
and finance world. How regulators have implemented more stringent regulations,
improved monitoring and detection capabilities, and imposed expectations to
enhance detection of internal and external misconduct.

Applied intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial capability

Skills developed across a range of courses will enable students to understand


and apply key concepts and themes in context to startups and within existing
innovative businesses.

Learn to navigate innovation in different environments, from startups to existing


businesses. The program will cover the standard requirements for any startup
including the design of a business plan, fundraising, mentoring, governance
regulations related to FinTech, competitive mass required to enter spaces already
dominated by large organisations, among others.

Apply key concepts and themes to real-world problems that require a technological
solution. Team up with fellow students to prepare and propose a solution, which can
then be presented to a FinTech accelerator for validation and discussion. The projects
will be developed in collaboration with financial services companies. This provides
an opportunity for you to develop and apply problem-solving skills learnt in Problem
Solving Methods and integrate various tools throughout the program.

4 Master of Financial Technology


The UNSW
Online experience
Supporting you every step of the way

To help you graduate from one of the world’s leading universities, we’re
here to support you, every step of the way. The design of our online
learning environment seamlessly fits into your busy lifestyle. You’ll
have access to course resources on any device, at any time.

Our academics are some of the best in the world, so you can take
confidence in knowing that your online learning experience will have
the same high standard as the on-campus experience.

Throughout your study journey, you’ll be able to turn to your Student


Success Advisor (SSA), who is committed to assisting you at every
stage, from enrolment through to graduation. Your SSA is on hand to
help with all non-academic queries by phone or email.

5 Master of Financial Technology


Program details
Indicative domestic program fees^

Master of Financial Technology Program code: 8433 12 courses $52,920


Graduate Diploma in
Program code: 5433 8 courses $35,280
Financial Technology
Graduate Certificate in
Program code: 7434 4 courses $17,640
Financial Technology
^All prices are listed in Australian dollars.

Visit our website for up-to-date information. Fees apply to 2021 only.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Program intakes (Hexamesters) Program duration

Six intakes annually Each course is seven-weeks long. UNSW Online


advises a minimum of 15–20 hours of study per
January, March, May, July, September, October week. The master’s program can be completed
in as little as two years.

Nested qualifications

The Master of Financial Technology also includes a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology and
a Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology. The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are both
entry and exit points for the program.

For those who do not qualify for direct entry into the master’s program, you may be eligible for entry
into the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. You can articulate from this into the master’s
program (upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma). Alternatively,
if for whatever reason you choose not to continue to complete the master’s program, you can exit with
a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.

Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma Masters

4 Courses +4 Courses +4 Courses


or continue studying or continue studying

Study plans and completion times might vary depending on elective choice, RPL, leave and subject availability.
For more information, speak with a Student Advisor.

6 Master of Financial Technology


Entry
requirements
UNSW’s Admission Entry Calculator
To assist us in assessing your previous study and eligibility for this course,
we recommend using the UNSW Admissions Entry Calculator as a guide.
This calculator converts and scales the grading schemes across the world
into a percentage that applies to UNSW entry requirements.

Masters English Language


A  recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent You may need to provide evidence of your
qualification) with WAM of 65 or above as English language proficiency to study at UNSW,
determined by the UNSW Entry Calculator in depending on your educational background and
any of the following areas: business, commerce, citizenship. UNSW requires a minimum level of
information systems & technology management, English language competency for enrolment.
information technology, computer engineering and English language skills are essential for webinar
software engineering. comprehension and the completion of coursework,
assignments and examinations.
Graduate Diploma
If English is not your first language, you will need
A recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent to provide proof of your English proficiency prior
qualification) with a credit average of 65% or higher to receiving an offer to study at UNSW. You can do
as per the UNSW Entry Calculator. this by providing evidence that you meet one or
more of the following criteria:
OR
A WAM of 65 or above in the Graduate Certificate English language tests and university
in Financial Technology with full credit provided for English courses
courses successfully completed.
Prior study in the medium of English

Graduate Certificate Other qualifications


A recognised bachelor degree (in any discipline) English waivers
OR
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
El
5 years relevant work experience in a commercial
or public service organisation related to banking,
finance or technology.

Articulation pathways exist to the Graduate Diploma


and Masters program if the student completes this
program with a minimum WAM of 65.

7 Master of Financial Technology


8

Get in touch
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are here to help you with all
your program and enrolment queries.

studyonline.unsw.edu.au

1300 974 990

future-student@studyonline.unsw.edu.au

Have a question?
Book a 15-minute chat with Schedule a call
a Student Advisor

8 Master of Financial Technology


Course
descriptions

9 Master of Financial Technology


FinTech Ecosystem
and Insights
Course overview

This course gives an overview of significant changes that have recently occurred
in the financial services industry. It includes a series of discussions of the major
disruption concepts in this space, highlighting the main categories of business
models adopted, the skills required to succeed in this industry, and the future
career opportunities available.

This course focuses on FinTech case studies, backed by testimonials from


industry executives sharing their experiences with the program participants in a
podcast setting. These executives will share practical challenges, industry trends
they are observing, and the upcoming opportunities that they envision for a career
in FinTech. The guest speakers will be from various sectors of the finance and
technology industry, such as crowdfunding, data mining, robo advice, payments,
foreign currency transfers, regulation, among others.

Decentralised
Finance
Course overview

This course gives students an introduction to blockchain and cryptocurrency. The course
begins with a brief history and overview of this new paradigm, and it aims to highlight
decentralisation as the key difference to traditional finance.

The second half of the course provides an overview of new developments and
financial applications in the ecosystem such as raising capital, trading, credit and
decentralised organisation.

10 Master of Financial Technology


RegTech Applications
for Banking and
Finance
Course overview

This course focuses on the set of rules, controls, policies, and resolutions put in place to
dictate corporate behaviour in the FinTech industry.

The last few decades have seen rapid growth in regulations, aimed at addressing key
concerns emerging from crises and scandals within the banking and finance world.
Regulators have implemented more stringent regulations, improved their monitoring and
detection capabilities, and imposed expectations on participants to improve their detection
of internal and external misconduct.

The growth in the finance industry and the move towards electronic banking needs a system-
based approach to regulation management. This course is designed to provide an overview
of the types of requirements that apply to modern financial corporations and the core
nature of systems that are deployed to address these requirements.

Technical Tools
for FinTech
Course overview

This course deals with implications of technological advances on the current and future state
of the financial services industry.

It introduces computational finance and banking technology to generate applications of


finance theory. The applications can be used in many different areas of FinTech, such as digital
currency (Bitcoin), settlements (Blockchain), hedging, trading strategies, and financial advisory.

11 Master of Financial Technology


Problem Solving
Methods for FinTech^

Course overview

This course applies the techniques and methodologies covered in ZZBU8504 Technical Tools
for FinTech to solve real problems in the financial services industry. A hands-on approach to the
course helps students to develop their toolkit for solving problems in derivative valuation, risk
analytics, and standard statistical modelling.

In addition, advanced topics on time-series data, sentiment analysis, and graphical visualisation
methods will be covered. This course emphasises applications in finance.

Data Management
for FinTech
Course overview

This course covers the implications of technological advances on the current and future state
of the financial services industry. It introduces the main financial databases and the methods to
manage such data.

^Pre-req: completion of ZZBU8504 Technical Tools for FinTech

12 Master of Financial Technology


Robo Advisory and
Portfolio Optimisation
Course overview

This course examines the various algorithms used by robo-advisors to generate automated
investment solutions. It covers a wide range of financial models in the areas of investment analysis,
portfolio theory, portfolio risk management, and investment style analysis.

The methods examined include the Markowitz approach, the Black-Litterman model, and a mix
of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The course also examines the implementation
challenges associated with these methods and discusses the disruption potential that still exists in
this FinTech subdomain.

Lastly, this course analyses the most recent academic research on this topic, to better understand
the promises and pitfalls of robo-advisors.

Course project
example:
The project for this course will be to create
a robo-advisor from scratch then challenge
students to propose relevant extensions to the
baseline algorithm.

13 Master of Financial Technology


Tech Disruption in
Payments and Transfers
Course overview

This course provides an in-depth exposition of payment and transfer systems as related to technological
changes. Payments and transfers are one of the fastest-growing segments and are at the forefront of
FinTech evolution.

The course covers a brief history of payments and transfers, starting with barter up to discussing the most
recent digital advancements. This is a case study-driven course with industry practitioners providing an
insight into relevant challenges and solutions. Here we cover payment gateway providers and underlying
disruptive technologies, right through to the domain of digital cash messages and crypto platforms.

Tech Disruption in
Funding and Lending
Course overview
This course deals with funding and lending from a financial perspective in the age of constant
technological change. It includes the theoretical underpinnings of pricing and valuations of capital
raising, funding and lending from the perspective of financial institutions and is supported by
academic research.

Students then proceed to explore state-of-the-art technologies relevant in this space. Topics
included, but not limited to, are IPOs, ICOs, crowdfunding, neo-banks and technological companies
entering the banking sphere. These are explored in detail with the provision of real-world case
studies.

Finally, the course aims to expand on previous discussions by looking at applied funding and lending
use cases as seen from the customer perspective, either as an individual, small business enterprise,
or a large corporation. Extensive use of academic research is used to highlight practical attributes
of technological changes across capital raising, funding and lending. Guest lecturers provide
constructive scenarios to enhance and enforce the main points of the topics covered.

14 Master of Financial Technology


InsurTech and Financial
Risk Management
Course overview

This course covers financial risk management from a FinTech perspective culminating into a specific
area of insurance, InsurTech. Financial risk management is prone to tech disruption. This course begins
with financial theories related to pricing, hedging and risk management followed by an in-depth look
into the practical mechanics of applied risk management case-studies and relevant academic research.

The second part of the course aims at exploring a specific field, insurance. Guest speakers are asked
to highlight particular areas prone to disruption across insurance specialisations. Knowledge of
technologies used in InsurTech is of ever-increasing importance for market practitioners and ultimately
customers to comprehend. The course elevates the notion that it is the core financial risk management
theories that drive technological change in addition to pure technological advancement.

The course concludes with a critical assessment and analysis of one InsurTech company from a
financial risk management standpoint.

Assessment example:
The course concludes with a critical assessment
and analysis of one InsurTech company from a
financial risk management standpoint.

15 Master of Financial Technology


Managing a
FinTech Startup*

Course overview

This course intends to expose students to the challenges associated with creating and managing a startup
in the FinTech industry. It covers the typical requirements for any startup firm, such as the design of a
business plan, fundraising, mentoring, among others.

Importantly, this course highlights:

(i) the governance issues faced by startups in the heavily regulated FinTech space

(ii) the competitive mass that is needed to enter into spaces already dominated by large organisations

(iii) the design of cost-effective marketing strategies to capture early adopters, when there is
typically a narrow window to scale up

(iv) the cybersecurity and data privacy issues, which are especially crucial for FinTech firms

(v) other issues, such as recruiting strategies, and tactics to create sustainable cash-flow profiles.

Applied FinTech
project*
Course overview

In this course, students will be given a real-world


scenario that requires a technological solution.

They will be asked to form teams to prepare a proposal


of the solution, which can then be selected for
presentation to a FinTech accelerator for validation Applied Project Award:
and discussion. The projects will be developed in The best applied project developed
collaboration with companies in the financial services
by students in the Master of Financial
industry. This capstone project provides students
Technology will be awarded a prize
with the opportunity to develop and practise
problem-solving skills by integrating the various tools sponsored by industry.
acquired while studying the Master of FinTech program.

*Pre-req: completion of ten units of credit (ten courses)

16 Master of Financial Technology

You might also like