UCL Institute of Finance & Technology
IFT is fast becoming a hub of excellence of knowledge on digital finance and alternative investment. Our postgraduate degree programmes incorporate contemporary themes such as Machine Learning, IoT and Artificial Intelligence with research and industrial experiences that will help our students to develop both foundations in digital and sustainable finance and commercial competencies. IFT's academic and industrial staff are experts in their fields, providing critical advice to institutions across the public and private sector spectrum, at home and abroad.
Covering practical and theoretical applications in banking and the most innovative aspects of digital finance.
Fundamentals in venture capital, private equity and start-up business modelling.
Focusing on sustainable finance, and environmental investment and policy.
Providing pioneering and sustainable research and consultancy for financial and economic solutions
Our dedicated Institute blog and publications are a sounding board for new ideas and discussions on digital finance.
Our industry connections underpin our research foci and help students apply their learning in the real world.
Photo credit: Deepmind via Unsplash
The Space 2BE (short courses)
Jeremy Bentham’s drive to ‘elevate the lives of all’ dovetails with the Institute of Finance and Technology’s core social purpose. The SPACE 2BE aims to create a knowledge-sharing hub for business ideas and entrepreneurs that provides financial laboratories, seminars, networking breakfasts, and Back-to-Basics financial and accounting training beyond the core MSc offerings and to local and City community members. In 2024-25 four short courses/ thematic seminar series will be available
Introduction to Financial Derivatives
The course aims at increasing the awareness and understanding of how financial derivatives are designed and used. Whilst it includes a pragmatic review of the basic pricing principles underlying the construct of most derivatives, it is not a quantitative course aiming to teach advanced pricing formulas and advanced modelling. Rather, it proposes to simplify the pricing and design concepts of derivatives to provide the student with enough knowledge and reflexes such that (i) students can think of derivatives as a risk management tool and (ii) he can identify and evaluate the presence of derivatives in financial contract. This is why the course will use a lot of empirical observations and will draw on the common sense of the students to build a strong layer of basic understanding. (Lectures: 29/01; 05/02; 26/03; 12/03; 26/03)
TERM 2 (January 2025-March 2025)
Wednesday, 16:00, Room 509, Marshgate Building, UCLEast
Register here
The Impact Entrepreneur’s Toolbox: How to Leverage Finance and Technology to Devise New Solutions for a Just Transition
The societal challenges of our time such as the housing crisis are systemic and complex. There are no simple solutions. Business as usual does not work. Money and technology are key components but need to be combined with a broader set of strategies, tools and skills to devise the new solutions for people and the planet. In the short course (4 lesson, 2 hours each) we will explore how the full design process of such innovative solutions: from problem selection, to ideation, design, financing, test, implementation, and scale. Theory will be discussed through case studies (real life, contemporary, form the UK and internationally) and engaging experts directly involved in the creation and implementation so to learn from innovators and entrepreneurs. The focus will be on financial and digital innovation when is combined with the further toolkit including multi stakeholder partnership, regulation and policy, management and communication
. (Lectures: 12/02; 19/02; 05/03; 19/03)
TERM 2 (January 2025-March 2025)
Wednesday, 16:00, Room 509, Marshgate Building, UCLEast
Register here
Social Entrepreneurship: Opportunities and Challenges for Zebras in a World Fond of Unicorns
This course explores the unique landscape of social entrepreneurship, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges facing social enterprises (zebras) in a world dominated by high-growth startups (unicorns). Students will be provided with an overview of the principles, strategies, and tools essential to assess opportunities, risks, and challenges within social enterprises. The lectures will combine theory and practice, featuring interactive sessions with case studies and guest speakers, including founders, entrepreneurs, and impact investors. (Lectures: 9/10; 23/10; 6/11; 20/11; 4/12)
TERM 1 (October 2024-December 2024)
Wednesday, 17:00, Room 509, Marshgate Building, UCLEast
Business and Sport
The objective of the course is to explore the technical and practical aspects between Business and Sport. Specifically, we will explain the key points for managing an athlete, identify the key individuals that manage them, and outline the methods of how they do so. We will then delve into what motivates Investors (Entrepreneurs or Companies) to invest in sports and what the economic returns are. Furthermore, we will address the topic of sustainability in the world of Sports, seeking to understand how it can be improved in this industry. Finally, we will examine the new digital technologies that are applied in various sports, such as football. Following each lesson, there will be a brief encounter with some professional profiles in the world of Sports, who will share their own experiences. (Lectures: 16/10; 30/10; 13/11; 27/11; 11/12)
TERM 1 (October 2024-December 2024)
Wednesday, 17:00, Room 509, Marshgate Building, UCLEast