Masters in financial technology | Tech background, Job opportunities | Fintech- University of Exeter

Summary

The video shares the presenter’s experience completing an MSc in Financial Technology (FinTech) at the University of Exeter, alongside general guidance for prospective students. The entry requirements described were current in July 2023 and may change, so applicants should check the university’s website.

Entry requirements and prior experience

• English-language requirement: The presenter says Exeter’s requirement was IELTS 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in each band. Applicants with a score above 70% in their 12th-standard exams might not need IELTS, depending on the university’s rules.
• Academic background: Applicants generally need a bachelor’s degree that includes at least one mathematics-intensive module. Examples mentioned include statistics, economics, engineering, and finance. Relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• A technology background is not essential: The presenter entered from a finance background, but found programming-related courses helpful.

What the course involves

Teaching can include lectures, practical tutorials, and guest seminars. Tutorials may involve hands-on tasks, such as learning to deploy a smart contract. Guest speakers from FinTech companies can offer industry perspectives; the presenter recalls CEOs and Craig Wright speaking.

Assessment varies by module and may include:

• Written exams
• Individual or group assignments
• Financial modelling
• Essays and reports
• Creative projects, such as analysing a company’s entrepreneurship
• A hackathon project involving a FinTech product pitch

Career paths and preparation

The presenter describes three broad groups of students:

1. People with prior FinTech-related work experience who want to gain a qualification or upskill.
2. People from finance or technology backgrounds who are changing or developing their careers.
3. Fresh graduates without relevant work experience, including the presenter.

For students in the third group, entering the industry can be especially challenging. A one-year master’s may not be enough by itself to build all the skills needed. Possible roles span different areas, including finance and business strategy, security planning, financial analysis, and more technical positions such as RegTech roles involving coding.

The presenter’s experience at Exeter

• The presenter especially enjoyed the group hackathon/dissertation project, where students developed a FinTech prototype and pitched it. They valued its combination of technology, business, finance, and teamwork.
• They found some modules more challenging than others, while describing entrepreneurship and advanced financial technology topics as engaging.
• Studying abroad requires balancing coursework and assignments with part-time work, household responsibilities, socialising, and exploring the country.
• Master’s-level study involves in-depth research, and students may be expected to know foundational material already. The presenter recommends that students without a technology background build basic skills beforehand, including familiarity with programming and tools such as Python, Java, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and Excel.

Advice for prospective students

• Build foundational knowledge in whichever area feels weakest—finance, technology, or FinTech—before starting the degree. The presenter recommends taking courses in advance.
• Research possible career paths and decide on an initial direction before arriving. The plan can change, but having a roadmap helps.
• Investigate the job market, role requirements, and salary ranges.
• Connect with alumni and people who have taken the same course to learn from their experience.

Speakers and sources featured

• Shriya Johari — the presenter and narrator, speaking about her MSc in FinTech at the University of Exeter.
• University of Exeter professors and lecturers — referenced in descriptions of teaching and assessments; they are not separately heard in the subtitles.
• FinTech-industry guest speakers, including CEOs and Craig Wright — mentioned by the presenter as seminar guests; they are not separately heard in the subtitles.