Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology and Innovation
| Postgraduate Full Time
course overview
Become a FinTech entrepreneur and build the future!
Dive deep into the rapidly growing realm of Financial Technology with our cutting-edge immersive Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology and Innovation (FTI). Rooted in Ireland’s strategic emphasis on FinTech, this programme is tailor-made for graduates with a passion for finance, aiming to fuse their knowledge with the latest advancements in technology.
Designed primarily for those with undergraduate degrees in business and finance, our curriculum offers a unique blend of traditional financial techniques and modern entrepreneurial insights.
* This programme will run subject to academic accreditation.
Key features:
Highly Industry-Relevant Curriculum: Harness skills in FinTech design and coding. Develop FinTech prototype applications and industry projects. Understand the potential of sustainable finance, generative AI, and other emerging technologies.
Practical Immersion: Experience a unique blend of theoretical learning and hands-on industry exposure. Each week is intensive two-day course blocks followed by immediate application in real-world projects.
Internship Opportunities: Gain industry immersion with our summer internship. The structure is that you take a first semester with taught modules in January to April, undertake a summer internship, then take your second taught semester from September to December.
Path to Masters: Everyone starts by enrolling on the Graduate Diploma, and you can opt for a Masters extension to delve deeper into a specialized FinTech topic, perfect for those aspiring for an MSc qualification.
The Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology and Innovation is a Level 9 conversion course available to those who already have a Level 8 honours degree in business, finance and related fields.
As part of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Human Capital Initiative (HCI), places on this programme are heavily subsidised. Subject to meeting the eligibility requirements, it is free to those who are unemployed, actively seeking work and available to take up work; a 10% course fee contribution is payable for those currently employed.
A condition of the HCI Pillar 1 funding is that this is only available for applicants living in the EU/EEA/UK/Swiss state for 3 out of the past 5 years, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland at the time of course commencement and hold a valid PPSN.
Key Facts
— 1 year Graduate Diploma
— Programme fees are funded by the Government of Ireland through Springboard+. Participants who are employed will need to contribute 10% of the programme fee.
Timetable Information:
This course will commence in January 2024. Further timetable information will be made available in advance of the commencement date.
For more information and to apply visit: https://springboardcourses.ie/details/13408
See Springboard+ Participant Eligibility FAQs for more details: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
Course Content
The Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology and Innovation consists of eight taught modules and a summer internship.
The MSc*, which you can choose to pursue on completion of the Graduate Diploma, adds an industry project, called a ‘Practicum’, on top of the Graduate Diploma content.
The Graduate Diploma runs from January to December, and the MSc continues until April the following year.
* There is an additional cost associated with the MSc.
The taught modules are:
Semester 1:
Financial Technology and Innovation
You’ll gain an understanding of pivotal FinTech innovations such as cryptocurrencies, blockchain, crowdfunding, and evolving payment systems. Through a blend of scientific reports and industry insights, you’ll develop the ability to critically assess the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities within the rapidly evolving world of financial technology, preparing you to make informed decisions and contribute meaningfully to the sector.
Data Science for Finance
The rapid rise of new ways of thinking about finance, as well as technological progress, has created a necessity for finance professionals to be able to work with new forms of data. This move echoes the wider rise of data science as an approach to business. This module will introduce you to the nature and approaches of data science and, in specific, will approach finance through an immersion in Python coding. Python is the most popular language of data science and this module will bring you from the very basics of coding in Python through to advanced techniques for understanding financial data.
Financial Theory and Practice
This foundational module provides an in-depth understanding of core financial concepts, bridging the gap between theory and real-world practice. Designed to be accessible yet challenging for those with limited finance backgrounds, the course covers essential topics such as financial markets, risk management, financial derivatives, portfolio theory, and capital budgeting. Through a blend of lectures, case studies, and applied exercises, you will gain the practical skills needed to assess investment opportunities, understand the workings of modern financial institutions, determine appropriate financing choices, and understand the financial markets and their role in the financial system.
Financial Technology Entrepreneurship
Financial Technology Entrepreneurship is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills essential for launching and managing startups in the rapidly evolving FinTech sector. The course amalgamates critical aspects of entrepreneurial theory with practical applications, focusing on innovation, organizational agility, and change management. Aligned with Ireland’s national ‘Ireland for Finance’ strategy, the module develops crucial capabilities in Human Experience Skills, Reimagination Skills, and Pivoting Skills, facilitating adaptability in a dynamic financial landscape. Furthermore, this module serves as an invaluable primer for career development, enhancing job readiness by offering experiential learning opportunities and skill-building exercises.
Semester 2:
Financial Machine Learning and Automation
This module develops your knowledge of the techniques of machine learning to learn from financial data and build new types of financial models. Through the application of artificial neural networks, support vector machines, random forests, and gradient boosting, and generative AI, we will bring new understanding to financial models. The machine learning techniques are applied to build, for example, asset pricing models, credit acceptance / rejection models, robo-advising, and fraud detection models. A further focus will be on how you can use machine learning, as well as other tools, to implement automation to financial services provision in the firm.
Design and User Experience for FinTech
User experience (UX) is a critical component of successful FinTech innovation and draws on both design skills and neuroeconomics. This module covers both of these aspects in demonstrating how to implement effective UX in modern finance. The module starts by laying a foundation for understanding behavioural influences on financial decision making. We will learn how a behavioural perspective is different to traditional finance. Then we look at how behavioural decision making can explain the behaviour of investors, financial managers, and other financial actors. At each point, we focus on demonstrating and through hands-on experiences, learn how design and UX choices in FinTech can help to capture and address these financial behaviours.
FinTech Interfaces and Infrastructure
This module offers a focused exploration of backend technologies vital to FinTech applications, while also providing an introduction to frontend considerations. You will gain hands-on experience with databases, deployment strategies, version control, and backend frameworks like Flask. While the course does not aim to transform you into fully fledged developers, you will be equipped with the foundational knowledge needed to conceptualize and manage both frontend and backend aspects of a FinTech application. You will emerge with a solid understanding of how to develop core frameworks and effectively communicate with specialized developers.
Financial Technology for Sustainability
You will explore the intersection of Financial Technology and sustainable finance, with a focus on leveraging technology for eco-conscious investments and risk management. You will gain a working knowledge of FinTech tools for appraising green investment products, measuring climate risk, and facilitating emissions trading. The course also delves into how blockchain, AI, and data analytics can be employed to advance sustainability goals. Further, the module critically examines regulations and frameworks that guide FinTech in sustainable financing and investments, such as green bonds and ESG-driven robo-advisors. Topics such as modeling climate risk using advanced algorithms, ESG cash flows in decentralized finance (DeFi), and assessing portfolio ESG scores through machine learning will be discussed.
Assessment will be in the form of 100% continuous assessment (CA) for all modules. No exams will be held.
Why Do This Course
- Access the Finance Jobs of the Future
The landscape of finance is evolving rapidly. As technology continues to influence and reshape traditional financial services, a new world of opportunities emerges. Equip yourself with the expertise needed to thrive in cutting-edge roles that the traditional finance education landscape has yet to address.
- Become a Fintech Entrepreneur
Dream of launching your own startup in the FinTech space? Our programme is designed to impart both the technical know-how and entrepreneurial skills required to conceptualize, launch, and scale a successful FinTech venture. With hands-on projects and real-world applications, you’ll be well-prepared to take the entrepreneurial leap.
- Thrive as an ‘Intrapreneur’
Not everyone wants to start from scratch – and that’s okay. An ‘intrapreneur’ is an innovator within an existing company, driving change and innovation from the inside out. Learn how to bring entrepreneurial thinking into an established finance firm, championing new initiatives and spearheading transformative projects.
- Deep Understanding of the Finance Industry
Gain a holistic view of the finance world, touching on its intricacies, challenges, and potential. Our curriculum ensures you not only grasp the contemporary state of finance but also participate actively in its evolution. Be more than just a bystander; be a change-maker.
- Build Exceptional Industry Connections
No journey is taken alone. Throughout the programme, you’ll interact with both academic and industry experts, forging connections that can open doors to internships, partnerships, and job opportunities. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a network that will be instrumental in shaping your FinTech career.
Choosing the Graduate Diploma / MSc in Financial Technology and Innovation isn’t just about acquiring a qualification; it’s about setting the trajectory for a dynamic, fulfilling career in an industry that’s at the cusp of revolutionary changes.
* This programme will run subject to academic accreditation.
Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 courses are not currently open to International applicants. As these courses are funded by the government of Ireland, all applicants must meet the EU residency criteria to be eligible to apply i.e. an applicant must be living in the EU/EEA/UK/Swiss state for 3 out of the past 5 years. Applicants must also be ordinarily resident in Ireland at the time of course commencement and hold a valid PPSN. Full information on residency criteria is available on the Springboard+ website under the ‘HCI Pillar One FAQ’s’ section.
General Entry Requirements
For admission to the Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology and Innovation candidates must hold –
A 2:1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline eg. Finance, Business, Maths, Computer Science or related discipline, or equivalent international qualification
OR
An 2:1 Honours degree in a non-relevant discipline along with at least three years of work experience.
Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in relevant modules on their undergraduate programme.
Applicants with evidence of substantial relevant managerial work experience will also be considered within the DCU Recognition of Prior Learning policy.
Candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about English language requirements for DCU Business School can be found here.
Making an application:
View the following link on how to apply.
Applications are submitted through the Springboard Application Website https://springboardcourses.ie/details/13408
All applications should include
1) A scanned copy of all relevant academic transcripts (Translate to English if necessary)
2) A CV with telephone contact details for two referees
3) A Personal Statement (~400/500 words) detailing your reasons why you think this programme is a good fit for you.
4) For non-native speakers of English, Certification of English competency in accordance with DCU requirements see https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Springboard funding eligibility
To find out more about your eligibility for Springboard funding please Ssee Springboard+ Participant Eligibility FAQs for more details: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF programme for employability, inclusion and learning 2014-2020.
Applicants who are in receipt of social welfare and seeking zero fees should provide documentary evidence that they are in receipt of payment
Residents in Ireland holding Non- EU passports should include documentary evidence of VISA/Permission to stay.
Insights
Video
Staff
Dr. Aref Mahdavi Ardekani
MSc Investment, Treasury & Banking Course Chair / Assistant Professor of Finance
Professor Michael Dowling
Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Sandeep Keshava Rao
MSc Finance Course Chair / Associate Professor of Finance
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