FI5312 Financial Technology (FinTech)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be arranged

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr X Chen

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Kulnicha Meechaiyo, Dr George Kladakis, Dr Eleonora Sfrappini, and Dr Shabnam Kazembalaghi

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Financial Technology (FinTech) has seen a dramatic increase of popularity in terms both of business applications and academic research in the last decade (Allen, Gu & Jatiani, 2020). Importantly, FinTech has the potential not only to improve profit-margins of financial service companies but also to democratise finance, help unbanked individuals and support responsible financial enterprises. The course will equip students with a sound understanding of the technology underlying FinTech by introducing topics in blockchain, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Building on this technological basis, the course will provide an overview of key trends and discuss the impact of FinTech on financial services such as payments, investing, lending, borrowing and spending.

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 HOURS X 11 WEEKS (TO INCLUDE BOTH LECTURE AND SEMINAR STYLE DISCUSSION WITHIN THE 3 HOUR BLOCK)

Scheduled learning hours

33

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

167

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance of financial intermediation and the use of money in financial technology.
  • Understand current trends in FinTech, including the importance of blockchain and electronic currencies
  • Recognise the relevance of capital and investment processes within FinTech, especially in terms of equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer platforms
  • Apprehend the current FinTech startups and FinTech hubs landscape
  • Recognise the role of emerging markets in, and social impact of, FinTech
  • Understand how FinTech can help democratise banking and help unbanked individuals