XClose

UCL Institute of Finance & Technology

Home
Menu

Banking and Digital Finance MSc

The programme focuses on major practical and theoretical applications in banking and the most innovative aspects of digital finance. The programme emphasises the analytical foundation of finance and financial products, focusing on theory and methods and making extensive use of relevant practical applications.

Key information

Programme starts

September 2021

Modes and duration

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2 years

We aim to schedule compulsory teaching components over two days. Part time students will usually attend one of these days each week.

Application dates

All applicants
Open: 9 November 2020
Close: 31 May 2021
Notification
Applications may close earlier if all places on the programme are filled.

Tuition fees (2021/22)

UK:
£34,100 (FT)
£17,050 (PT)
Overseas:
£34,100 (FT)
£17,050 (PT)


Note on fees: The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Location: London, Bloomsbury

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in an appropriate subject such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics or other highly numerate disciplines. Knowledge of mathematical methods and introductory probability and statistics is also required. Applicants must show an interest in developing thinking and problem-solving skills.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Good

Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

International students

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.

Select your country:

About this degree

The primary objectives of our Banking and Digital Finance MSc are to provide students with the tools and skills to gain an in-depth understanding of the finance and banking industry. The programme is highly applied and the teaching is also research-driven, thus allowing students to have access to the most innovative aspects of digital finance.

The programme consists of eight compulsory taught modules (120 credits) and a project dissertation (60 credits).

Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Banking and Digital Finance.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Banking
  • Financial Analytics and Machine Learning
  • Asset Pricing
  • Corporate Financial Strategy and Capital Structure
  • Big Data in Quantitative Finance
  • Finance and Artificial Intelligence
  • Monetary System and Digital Finance
  • Risk Analysis and Quantitative Asset Allocation

Optional modules

There are no optional modules.

Dissertation

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words (60 credits).

Teaching and learning

The programme will be delivered through a combination of formal lectures, seminars, classes, workshop sessions, and independent or group work. Industry experts in the field of banking and finance have been consulted during the detailed design of the syllabus, and will contribute to teaching. In addition, you will be taught by UCL academic staff with international research reputations, who are specialists in their fields.

Additional costs

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Funding

Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

CEGE MSc/MRes Bursary

Note:
Deadline: 11.59pm, 31 July 2021  
Value:
Full or partial fee waiver (1yr)
Eligibility:
UK, EU, Overseas
Criteria:
Based on both academic merit and financial need

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Careers

The programme aims to produce graduates who will serve the needs of universal banks, mutual and pension funds, investment banks, governments, central banks, advisory bodies and the fintech industry. The MSc will provide graduates with a systematic understanding of banking, financial systems and advanced technological applications of finance, the external context of these areas, and how they are managed. Graduates will be competent in applying a range of digital tools, taking account of their relationship and interaction with banking and financial markets. Through having gained critical awareness of current issues and the development of financial systems and markets, graduates will be able to convey their knowledge of cutting-edge practice and research in the field.

Employability

Once they enter professional practice, graduates from this programme will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:

  • analytical aspects of banking and financial markets
  • interpretation and analysis of data and big data 
  • banking products and operations
  • blockchain and crypto economics
  • artificial intelligence and machine learning

Why study this degree at UCL?

Global demand is growing for financial managers to be capable of dealing with the interaction between finance and new technologies (fintech). Our Banking and Digital Finance MSc is a specialist Master’s degree designed to address the demands of the next era of technology-led financial services. It is aimed at those already in, or targeting, technology-led finance and banking careers. 

Finance is going through major changes due to disruptive innovations which have developed and accelerated the next era of technology-led financial services. The view of industry is that universities have not kept pace with the continuous innovations taking place in the finance sector. UCL’s Institute of Finance and Technology, the home of Banking and Digital Finance MSc, is addressing this concern from its inception by liaising with industry, government and other influential bodies, including BlackRock, HSBC, European Investment Bank, London Stock Exchange Group, KPMG, WILLIS Re, the Bank of England, HM Treasury, the World Bank and the IMF.

The challenges and opportunities posed by new technologies, and in particular by the Internet of Things, call for unique approaches and cross-discipline analyses. The Institute is built around a vision of finance at the service of major societal challenges. New financial models, embedding technical, environmental and social aspects within financial mechanisms, will be developed by experts in their fields who will pass on this new understanding to future global leaders through our Banking and Digital Finance MSc.

Department: Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering

Application and next steps

Applications

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

This programme does not require references to be submitted in support of your application.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.

Who can apply?

We encourage applications from prospective students with a background in an appropriate subject such as finance, banking, computer science, mathematics, economics or other quantitative disciplines. Knowledge of mathematical methods and introductory probability and statistics is also required. Applicants must show an interest in creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Application deadlines

All applicants
31 May 2021

For more information see our Applications page.

Apply now

What are we looking for?

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Banking and Digital Finance at graduate level
  • why you want to study Banking and Digital Finance at UCL
  • what parlicularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with the essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

We look for students with drive, intelligence, enthusiasm, and the right aptitude. Applicants should highlight any relevant work experience they have, including international exchanges, internships, and/or interest in major global challenges. These attributes would be advantageous because applicants are likely to be working in a highly diverse and international environment.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

Page last modified on 28 August 2021