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Banking and Digital Finance MSc

London, Bloomsbury

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.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£35,100
£17,550
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£35,100
£17,550
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 13 May 2022

Applications closed

Notification

Application closes at 17:00 (UK time).

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

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.

Equivalent qualifications

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. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The primary objective of our Banking and Digital Finance MSc is 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 research-driven, allowing our students to gain access to the most innovative aspects of digital finance.

Who this course is for

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.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

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.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

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

Employability

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.

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.

Modules

Full-time

The programme consists of 8 taught modules followed by a research based project dissertation. The topics covered in the programme include aspects of:

  • Banking and Corporate Finance
  • Financial Analytics and Machine Learning
  • Asset Pricing
  • Financial engineering
  • Big Data in Quantitative Finance
  • Behavioural Finance and Artificial Intelligence
  • Payment system and digital finance
  • Financial Strategies and Risk Analysis

Compulsory modules











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.

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 an MSc in Banking and Digital Finance.

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.

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Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Applying for Graduate Study at UCL

The Applying to UCL for graduate study session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Graduate Admissions and Student Recruitment teams, provides helpful information about the process of applying for graduate study, as well as offering an insight into what we consider to be a competitive application.

Watch on demand event

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Funding your studies

The Funding your studies session took place in December 2021. The session, covered by our Funding and Student Recruitment teams, provides information and guidance about the various scholarships and funding opportunities for graduate study at UCL.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £35,100 £17,550
Tuition fees (2022/23) £35,100 £17,550

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

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.

Funding your studies

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

See all the ways you can fund your studies
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.

Brown Family Bursary

Deadline: 9 June (application via the Masters Funding Awards)
Value: £15,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

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 Application fees.

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.

Please note that you are not allowed to defer your offer for this programme.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering Department
Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering Department

ift-teaching@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.

This page was last updated 28 Sep 2021