MSc Financial Technology with Data Science
- MSc
Overview
From crowdfunding to cryptocurrencies, and from automated trading to Alipay, recent innovations in financial technologies have revolutionised the way we spend, save, borrow, and invest. Companies in the financial services sector are now able to intelligently harness data to provide tailored products and services; big technology corporations offer financial services to customers through their social media accounts; and disruptive technology startups have quickly scaled to challenge the dominance of traditional banks by developing new forms of finance from the ground up.
This MSc offers an opportunity to join the financial technology revolution. You will learn the key design features of a number of financial technology applications and will develop skills to implement, assess and engineer these technologies. You will also develop an understanding of the computational, statistical and machine learning principles necessary for insightful large-scale data analysis used in data-driven finance.
Hosted by a world-leading engineering faculty, this is a technology-focused MSc and not a finance or accounting programme that is traditionally provided by a business school. Therefore, we expect applicants to have a strong background in computer science, engineering or a numerate science. A background in economics or finance is not expected or required.
This MSc is likely to appeal to applicants looking to start or advance their careers in data-driven finance and technology. The UK is a world leader in financial technology and the Bristol region has a flourishing fintech ecosystem. The programme has been co-designed with industrial partners and will offer opportunities to engage with industry on real-world commercial projects
Programme structure
On entry, you will take one of two foundational units, depending on your previous experience. Students without software development experience will take a unit in Software Development, Programming and Algorithms; alternatively, students with software development experience will take a unit in Statistical Computing and Empirical Methods. When you arrive, your unit choice will be decided, based on your previous experience, in consultation with your personal tutor.
The remainder of the programme consists of compulsory units such as Large-Scale Data Engineering; Introduction to Financial Technology; Introduction to AI and Data Analytics; Advanced Financial Technology; and Financial Technology Group Project.
All students will complete their studies with an individual research or implementation project of their choosing from a selection proposed by project supervisors. This unit will provide students with first-hand experience in planning, running, documenting, and presenting a substantial piece of original work in the field of financial technology. The aim of this unit is to give students a substantial opportunity to integrate material from all taught units that they have studied as part of the programme, to demonstrate the breadth and depth of their learning on the MSc.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc Financial Technology with Data Science.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in a Numerate Science, Computer Science, or Engineering. The following degrees are also acceptable:
- Accounting
- Astrophysics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Econometrics
- Economics
- Finance
- Genetics
- Geology / Earth Sciences
- Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Operations Research
- Physics
- Psychology
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications:
- evidence of significant, relevant paid work experience (minimum two years) in one of the following sectors: a technical role as a data analyst, data engineer, data scientist, quantitative analyst, software developer/engineer.
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
Go to admissions statementIf English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £18,400 per year
- Home: part-time (three years)
- £6,133 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £9,200 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £35,500 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
This programme has been co-designed with industrial partners to ensure that graduates are equipped with highly in-demand analytical, statistical and programming skills suitable for a range of technology careers in the financial services sector, as well as data scientist and data engineer roles in other non-finance industries. Graduates will also be prepared for careers in research and development or could go on to launch a fintech startup.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk