FinTech and Policy MSc - 2024/5

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Levels 6 and 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

MSc FinTech and Policy

Subsidiary award(s)

Award Title
PGDip FinTech and Policy
PGCert FinTech and Policy

Professional recognition

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PKA61137 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Surrey Business School

Programme Leader

WANG Shuhui (SBS)

Date of production/revision of spec

12/12/2024

Educational aims of the programme

  • To provide a high-quality education that is both intellectually rigorous and at the forefront of FinTech and Policy research, relevant for problem solving and decision making by managers, policy makers, business organisations and legal professionals in the area of business, social, legal, ethical and policy and generate value from available information using the systems that underlie the operations of modern corporations.
  • The compulsory modules provide a sound foundation which builds an analytical, programming, financial, legal and ethical skillset and supports the development of practical hands-on experience applying the theoretical aspects and find solutions to actual problems related to FinTech and its wider social consequences.
  • The optional modules aim to offer students a broader perspective and resource on the subject matter and allow them to specialise in areas that are of particular interest to them.
  • The readings in the module will build a sound basis which would allow students to access and understand the academic literature and undertake empirical investigations in the areas of policy decision, FinTech business development, ethical decision-making and societal and environmental context - A graduate from the MSc Programme should be aware of the societal and environmental context of their business activities.
  • Completion of the programme will provide a sound foundation for those considering continuing their academic development towards a PhD degree in the related disciplines and enhance students' employability.

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
A systematic, in-depth understanding of the development, issues and influences relevant to FinTech, policy, law and ethics. K PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Demonstrate deep learning, understanding of analytical methodologies, academic research process and ability to apply the knowledge and demonstrate skills in problem solving in the relevant to Business Analytics, FinTech, Policy, Law and Ethics. KCP PGCert, PGDip, MSc
Relate existing knowledge structures and methodologies to analytical business challenges, legal and ethical questions, plus policy debates related to finance and technology. CPT PGDip, MSc
An ability to identify modifications to existing business operations, knowledge structures and theoretical frameworks and therefore to pose new areas for investigation, new problems, new or alternative applications or methodological applications. CPT MSc
Demonstrate the ability to independently evaluate critical approaches and techniques relevant to FinTech as well as policy solutions and ethical frameworks applied in this area. KT PGDip, MSc

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7

Module Selection for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Levels 6 and 7

SEPTEMBER START:

First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these TWO compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM493 - OVERVIEW OF FINTECH
MANM530- PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS

And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT
LAWM163 - CYBERLAW
MANM528 - DATA MINING AND TEXT ANALYTICS
ECO3062 - FUNDAMENTALS OF BLOCKCHAIN

Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
LAWM162 - FINANCIAL REGULATION AND FINTECH POLICY
MANM491 - PYTHON PROGRAMMING IN FINTECH

And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM200 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
MANM525 - FINANCIAL MODELLING
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT

Semester 2 Summer period you will study the following THREE compulsory modules (15 credits each unless otherwise stated):
MANM521 - CASES IN FINTECH AND POLICY
MANM492 - FINTECH AND POLICY PROJECT (30 credits)
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE

FEBRUARY START:

First semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these three compulsory modules (15 credits each):
LAWM162 - FINANCIAL REGULATION AND FINTECH POLICY
MANM491 - PYTHON PROGRAMMING IN FINTECH
MANM493 - OVERVIEW OF FINTECH

And you will need to choose two of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM200 - INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
MANM525 - FINANCIAL MODELLING
MANM279 - RISK MANAGEMENT

Summer period (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these three compulsory modules (15 credits each)
MANM521 - CASES IN FINTECH AND POLICY
MANM492 - FINTECH AND POLICY PROJECT (30 credits)
MANM378 - ETHICS IN FINANCE

Second semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study the following ONE compulsory module (15 credits each unless otherwise stated) :
MANM530- PRINCIPLES OF ANALYTICS

And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each) to study:
MANM524 - PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE & INVESTMENT
LAWM163 - CYBERLAW
MANM528 - DATA MINING AND TEXT ANALYTICS
ECO3062 - FUNDAMENTALS OF BLOCKCHAIN

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) N
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Other information

Employability: The Programme provides a variety of tasks and authentic assessments that mimic professional life. The tasks and assessments undertaken across modules are specifically chosen to equip students with knowledge and skills that are key to the role of finance professionals working in the FinTech and regulation industry. Key to this, students develop the ability to critically evaluate the problem at hand, interact with their group members, and present their findings. As a result, students develop and enhance the interpersonal and professional skills.

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The Programme is taught in an interactive and collaborative way, in a cohort that commonly represents a wealth of nationalities and backgrounds. Students are encouraged to engage with, and learn from, diverse perspectives through interaction and teamwork. Students will develop their ability to work in groups effectively with other students from diverse backgrounds to broaden their world view, own perspectives and interpretations, and reinterpreting issues against a broader spectrum of ideas and representations.

Digital Capabilities: Throughout the Programme students learn to navigate and utilise the Virtual Learning Environment @ Surrey (SurreyLearn) and programming skills (such as Python and Excel) and online databases (such as WRDS) to aid their learning and undertake research. Students are encouraged to use current media such as Whatsapp, Teams, Zoom, and utilising cloud/file sharing for communication and team working. Students will develop proficiency in these aspects of digital engagement.

Resourcefulness + Resilience (R+R): From early in the Programme students are introduced to the expectations regarding teaching, learning and assessment to facilitate self-efficacy. Formative and summative assessments are designed to 'feed forward' to assessments within modules and to future modules in the programme. As a cohort, we encourage and foster collaborative learning, communication, and peer support. Students will develop attributes such as confidence, adaptability, self-regulation, self-efficacy, problem solving and decision-making abilities, through interacting in their groups, engaging with their group members, and presenting their findings in front of audience. The nature of the Programme requires students to draw upon individual and collective resourcefulness. The effectiveness of the R+R will be inherent in various assessments in the Programme.

Sustainability: The Programme aims at advancing students' understanding, awareness, and ability to develop creative solutions to deal with key agendas related to specific sustainability and ethically related areas. Students will navigate to investments that focus on long-term sustainability that is enhanced by environmentally and socially viable solutions. The nature of the Programme requires students to critically assess issues in corporate governance, accountability and ethics, examples of corporate failure, ethical implications, and responsible investments.

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.