This 10 week programme brings together experts from the Business School, School of Informatics and School of Political Science. You’ll learn through a mixture of self-paced study, facilitated live discussions and panel discussions with industry experts.

Overview

In this 10 week course you will study:

  • Introductory FinTech fundamentals and terminology
  • Blockchain technology and its applications for the financial sector
  • Alternative finance sources, such as equity crowdfunding
  • The use of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in finance
  • The transformative role of technology in trading
  • The risks and regulations of FinTech
  • New trends in FinTech, including InsurTech and Sustainable Digital Finance
  • The importance of design in the adoption of FinTech applications.

Each academic session will be complemented by a panel discussion with industry speakers from leading organisations, such as FinTech Scotland, the London Stock Exchange Group and the World Economic Forum.

Induction

Week One

This week you will get to know the cohort and the presenters who will guide you through the content. You'll access the learning platform and pre-reading materials, and take part in a reflective exercise.

Module A: Exploring the Blockchain Revolution - From Cryptocurrencies to Regulation

Weeks Two and Three

  • A1: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
  • A2: Stablecoins as a Means of Payment
  • A3: The Dark Side of Cryptocurrencies: Illegal Activities, Market Manipulation, and Fraud
  • A4: Regulation in Crypto Markets

Module B: Unleashing the Power of Technology - Exploring AI, Big Data, and Financial Market Transformation

Weeks Four and Five

  • B1: The Technological Transformation of Financial Markets: Microstructure and the Real Economy Effects
  • B2: Ethical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence
  • B3: The Use of Big Data in Finance
  • B4: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Finance

Module C: Tech-Driven Finance - FinTech, Open Banking, Asset Management, InsurTech

Weeks Six and Seven

  • C1: FinTech and Entrepreneurial Finance
  • C2: Open Banking
  • C3: Asset Management and Pension Funds
  • C4: InsurTech

Module D: Embracing Sustainable FinTech - Design, Cyber Resilience, and COVID-19

Weeks Eight and Nine

  • D1: Sustainable Digital Finance
  • D2: FinTech by Design
  • D3: Cyber Risks in Business
  • D4: FinTech in the Time of Covid-19

Wrap-up

Week Ten

This week, we will celebrate your time on the programme and reflect on what you have learnt over the last 10 weeks.

Course format

With the help of pre-recorded content and further resources, faculty members from across the University of Edinburgh will walk participants through a range of FinTech related topics.

Each academic session is complemented by a panel discussion with industry speakers from leading organisations.

Presenters

  • Dr Khaladdin Rzayev, Senior Lecturer in Finance and Programme Director of the Future is FinTech programme, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Dr Raffaella Calabrese, Director of the FinTech PhD Programme and Senior Lecturer - Data Science, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Dr Yi Cao, Lecturer in Management Science, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Dr Theodor Cojoianu, Senior Lecturer in Energy Finance, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Professor Gbenga Ibikunle, Personal Chair of Finance, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Dr Liz McFall, Chancellor's Fellow, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh
  • Professor Talis Putnins, Professor of Finance, University of Technology Sydney
  • Professor Michael Rovatsos, Personal Chair of Artificial Intelligence, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr Rafael Lima Sakr, Lecturer in Law at Royal Holloway, University of London
  • Professor Chris Speed, Chair in Design Informatics, Edinburgh College of Art
  • Dr Jordana Viotto da Cruz, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Dr Tong Wang, Lecturer in Finance, University of Edinburgh Business School
  • Dr Daniel Woods, BUiD/Edinburgh Lecturer in Cyber Security, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh

Previous guest panellists

  • Nicola Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at FinTech Scotland
  • Amelie Arras, Marketing Director at Zumo Money
  • Matteo Aquilina, Senior Economist and Member of Financial Stability Board Switzerland
  • Chris Brown, Senior Manager at Deloitte
  • Debra Burns, Chief of Staff at Seedrs Limited
  • Maysara Hammouda, Co-Founder and CTO at Predictiva
  • Charles Hoskinson, CEO at Input Output Global Inc.
  • Jerad Leigh, Co-founder and CEO at Supercede
  • Martina MacPherson, Head of ESG Product Management for the Financial Information Business Unit at Six Group
  • Atuksha Poonwassie, Managing Director at Simple Crowdfunding
  • Drew Propson, Head of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services at World Economic Forum
  • Yuxin Sun, Quant Surveillance Analyst Developer at London Stock Exchange
  • Julian Sylvestro, Senior Vice President at Marsh
  • Roeland Vanderstappen, Vice President, Policy and Engagement, EMEA at Crypto.com
  • Carol Wilson, Head of Data Culture and Ethics at NatWest Group