The rapid development of Financial Technologies (FinTech) is transforming the future of finance and is creating new opportunities and challenges for businesses in the financial sector. Professionals working in this field increasingly need to understand emerging technologies impacting financial services.

In response to this need, DCU Business School has developed a microcredential delivered online through our partnership with the Future Learn online education platform.

This microcredential, worth 5 ECTS, upskills professionals in the core elements of FinTech and advances understanding of the technologies underpinning FinTech’s advancement.

Learn more about our partnership with the Future Learn platform here.

Meet Our Academics

This programme will be delivered by:

By completing this 10-week online course you will receive 5 ECTS credits as well as a postgraduate-level certificate award. The microcredential includes formal online assessments and meets the standards set by the Common Microcredential Framework (CMF), part of the European Qualification Framework.

Participants will be able to evaluate competitive and collaborative opportunities that exist both for start-up FinTech firms and for established financial institutions.

This course will appeal to the following professionals:

• Finance professionals seeking to upskill in the area of FinTech and financial innovation.
• Technology professionals seeking to appraise how new technologies are being adopted and applied in the financial services industry.
• Business, management, and finance graduates seeking to develop knowledge and expertise in respect of important concepts and issues pertaining to the emergence of FinTech.

What will I learn?

This course will provide participants with a professional development opportunity that will support efforts to transition into a FinTech role. It is designed for both postgraduate students and for professionals working in the financial sector.

The following are the main learning outcomes you can expect to develop through this course:

• Acquire a deep understanding of the FinTech landscape and modern financial innovation.
• Synthesise theory and practice to assess the interaction of finance and technology in various contexts.
• Appraise how the financial services industry is innovating through the adoption and application of new technologies.
• Critically evaluate the emerging academic evidence pertaining to the dynamics and efficacy of new FinTech based markets and products.
• Develop and defend coherent and persuasive arguments for the adoption and application of innovative technologies to support finance services activities.
• Evaluate the competitive and collaborative opportunities that exist for established financial institutions and start-up FinTech firms, which should lead to a superior customer journey for consumers of financial services. 

While not exhaustive, the course is designed around the key areas of

1. crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending;
2. blockchain and cryptocurrencies; and
3. banking and payments.

Find out more by downloading the FinTech – Financial Innovation brochure and detailed topic list.

The way that financial organisations are conducting business and compete have changed drastically as a result of the rapid development of FinTech. As such it is increasingly important for professionals to have an understanding of the opportunities and challenges that the digital technologies may generate, and to understand the new dynamics in the financial market.

This online course explores the main themes of FinTech, and you will learn about technological innovation in the financial services industry through the adoption and application of new technologies.

The course will provide you with:

• The skills needed for a role in the FinTech sector
• The ability to advance your career within the finance industry
• Networking opportunities with sector experts

“It’s clear that in addition to the FinTech skills shortages identified by both industry and government the FinTech phenomenon poses a challenge to many existing jobs and a picture emerges of a financial services sector that needs to be prepared and informed in all elements of FinTech. Our new programme does just that.”

Dr Pierangelo Rosati, Assistant Professor in Business Analytics

To qualify for direct entry into this microcredential, you should hold a Level 8 Honours Degree (2:1) or higher in business, finance, or a related discipline.

If you don’t meet these requirements, you may still be considered if you can demonstrate equivalent competence to the entry requirements, such as completion of relevant, accredited CPD learning.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participating students will be awarded a microcredential worth 5 ECTS from DCU.