Master of

Financial Technology
Respond to the technological
revolution in finance

This program guide contains information for the:

Master of Financial Technology
Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology
Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00098G
Contents
Learn at UNSW. A World Leader. 01

Master of Financial Technology 02

Program overview 03

The UNSW Online experience 05

Program details 06

Entry requirements 07

Academic leadership 09

Get in touch 10

Course descriptions 11
Learn at UNSW.
A World Leader.
#1 in Australia for Highest salary earners
Accounting and Finance Ranked highest median salary
UNSW is ranked 1st in Australia for among Go8 universities.
Accounting and Finance subjects and 2022 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey –
within the top 20 worldwide. Longitudinal, October 2022

QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023

#1 in Australia for Globally recognised

Engineering and Technology UNSW Business School is accredited by
UNSW is ranked 1st in Australia for the Association to Advance Collegiate
Engineering and Technology subjects. Schools of Business (AACSB) International
Business Accreditation and the EFMD
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023
Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).

Top 20
worldwide
UNSW is ranked equal
19th overall in the world.

QS World University
Rankings, 2024

1 Master of Financial Technology

Master of
Financial
Technology
Financial Technology (FinTech) professionals are in high demand
worldwide. The shortage of professionals with FinTech skills is
particularly challenging in Australia.

Employer demand for the right mix of finance and technology expertise
is growing faster than the Australian labour market can fill. In addition,
Census reports that 66% of Australian FinTech companies are now finding
it more challenging to attract talent with the right mix of skills.1
The online Master of Financial Technology program is designed to provide you with skills in finance and
technology to navigate the ongoing technological revolution in the financial services industry. In this
program, you learn how to leverage financial information and technology to generate, evaluate, communicate
and implement new ideas to capitalise on opportunities in the growing FinTech industry. The Master of
Financial Technology is designed and delivered by Australia’s top ranked school of Banking and Finance, at
UNSW Business School.

Designed and delivered Build applicable real-world

with industry for industry FinTech skills
The program is developed with industry Build knowledge of the latest technology
professionals, and validated by through hands-on experience and applied
students as being sought after skills learning, while understanding the full
and competencies required by FinTech context of the FinTech landscape.
specialists.

Quality and reputation Accelerated learning with

Learn from a highly awarded and ranked immediate ROI
global university, which provides world- With intakes every two months, study
class education, substantial career one course at a time, 100% online and
opportunities, extensive industry accelerated, instantly adding value to your
connections and a hugely successful and career and organisation.
diverse alumni community of over 300,000.

¹EY FinTech Australia Census, 2021

2 Master of Financial Technology

Program overview
List A – Elective Courses
Graduate Certificate
1. FinTech Ecosystem and Industry Insights
2. Decentralised Finance Any 3 core courses (from List A), plus 1
3. RegTech Applications for Bankingand Finance available elective course (from List B)
4. Technical Tools for FinTech Or, any 4 courses (from List A)
5. Problem-Solving Methods for FinTech
6. Data Management for FinTech
7. Robo-Advisory and Portfolio Optimisation
8. Tech Disruption in Payments and Transfers Graduate Diploma
9. Tech Disruption in Funding and Lending Any 6 courses (from List A), plus 2 available
10. InsurTech Applications elective courses (from List B)
11. Managing a FinTech Startup
Or, any 7 courses (from List A), plus 1
available elective course (from List B)
List B – Elective Courses
Or, any 8 courses (from List A)
1. Financial Management
2. Managing with Digital Technology
3. Introductory Data Analysis
4. Analytics and Business Masters
5. Managing People, Analytics and Change
All 12 core courses (from List A)
6. Data Ethics
7. Financial Modelling Or, any 11 core courses (from List A), plus 1
8. Portfolio Management available elective course (from List B)
9. Corporate Finance Or, any 10 courses (from List A), plus 2
10. International Finance available elective courses (from List B)
11. Private EquityandVentureCapital
12. EquityValuation
13. Fixed Income
14. Derivatives View full course descriptions
15. Ethics and Professional Standards
16. Principles of Programming Pre-requisite: Introductory Data Analysis.
Courses requiring programming (Python) knowledge.
17. Foundations of Cyber Securty
Pre-requisite: Technical Tools for FinTech.
18. Big Data Management
Capstone courses. Pre-requisite: Completion of 48 Units
19. Foundations of Data Science of Credit (UOC), which is the equivalent of 8 courses.
Masters students must complete Applied FinTech
Project.
This course will not be offered from Hexamester 3, 2024
List C – Core Course
Applied FinTech Project Available elective courses will vary per program and study
period.

Not all courses are offered each Hexamester

Speak with an advisor about desired program outcomes and Schedule a call
possible degree pathways.
3 Master of Financial Technology
Knowledge areas
Finance and the future
The advent and growth of technology, in all facets, is changing the way we work.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of how technology is enhancing, re-
imagining and disrupting financial services and markets.

Build a foundational understanding of the current financial services industry

landscape and gain an insight into the impact of disruptive technological advances.
Learn about the effects of advanced modelling for fiscal decision making.

Ethics and governance

Ethical and governance considerations underpin the role of a modern FinTech
professional. Individual courses within this program reflect the importance
of understanding the relevant frameworks and what it means to be an ethical
professional in a disruptive and innovative industry.

Understand the relevant regulatory frameworks and gain an overview of the types of
requirements that apply to modern financial corporations and the core systems that
are deployed to address these requirements.

Learn about key concerns emerging from crises and scandals within the banking
and finance world. How regulators have implemented more stringent regulations,
improved monitoring and detection capabilities, and imposed expectations to
enhance detection of internal and external misconduct.

Applied intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial capability

Skills developed across a range of courses will enable students to understand and
apply key concepts and themes in context to startups and within existing innovative
businesses.

Learn to navigate innovation in different environments, from startups to existing

businesses. The program will cover the standard requirements for any startup
including the design of a business plan, fundraising, mentoring, governance
regulations related to FinTech, competitive mass required to enter spaces already
dominated by large organisations, among others.

Apply key concepts and themes to real-world problems that require a technological
solution. Team up with fellow students to prepare and propose a solution, which can
then be presented to a FinTech accelerator for validation and discussion. The projects
will be developed in collaboration with financial services companies. This provides
an opportunity for you to develop and apply problem-solving skills learned in Problem
Solving Methods and integrate various tools throughout the program.

4 Master of Financial Technology

The UNSW
Online experience
We are here to support you, every step of the way, to graduate from one of the
world’s leading universities. Our online learning environment has been designed to
seamlessly fit into your already busy schedule and you’ll be able to access course
resources on any device, at any time.

Our academics are some of the best in the world and, even though you’re studying
online, you can expect your learning experience to be the same high standard as
that of our on-campus students.

Throughout your study journey, you will be able to turn to your Student Success
Advisor, who is committed to assisting you from enrolment through to graduation.
They are on-hand for all non-academic queries by phone or email.

You will also have access to Career Success – a curated, self-paced module
that provides a framework for thinking about, and taking action to implement, an
effective career plan. You will also have access to Career Success – a curated, self-
paced module that provides a framework for thinking about, and taking action to
implement, an effective career plan. Through Career Success, you will have access
to tools like Career AI (powered by VMock) and CaseCoach, and guides on crafting
the perfect LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter.

5 Master of Financial Technology

Program details
2024 Indicative domestic program fees^
Master of Financial Technology Program code: 8433 12 courses $58,000

Graduate Diploma in
Program code: 5433 8 courses $38,500
Financial Technology

Graduate Certificate in
Program code: 7434 4 courses $19,000
Financial Technology

^All prices are listed in Australian dollars and may exceed the indicative figures listed. Total program fee is determined by individual course
selection.

All prices are listed in Australian dollars and may exceed the indicative figures listed. Visit our Fees page for up-to-date information
inclusive of 2024 indicative International program fees. Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with
the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and
available data. You should not rely on indicative fees.

Program intakes (Hexamesters) Program duration

Six intakes annually Each course is seven-weeks long, plus an Orientation

week. UNSW Online advises a minimum of 15–20
January, March, May, July, September, October hours of study per week. The master’s program can
be completed in as little as two years.

Nested qualifications

The Master of Financial Technology also includes a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology and
a Graduate Diploma in Financial Technology. The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are both
entry and exit points for the program.

For those who do not qualify for direct entry into the master’s program, you may be eligible for entry into
the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. You can articulate from this into the master’s program
(upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma). Alternatively, if for
whatever reason you choose not to continue to complete the master’s program, you can exit with a
Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.

Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma Masters

4 Courses +4 Courses +4 Courses

or continue studying or continue studying

Study plans and completion times might vary depending on elective choice, RPL, leave and subject availability.
For more information, speak with a Student Advisor.

6 Master of Financial Technology

Entry
requirements
UNSW’s Admission Entry Calculator
To assist us in assessing your previous study and eligibility for this course,
we recommend using the UNSW Admissions Entry Calculator as a guide.
This calculator converts and scales the grading schemes across the world
into a percentage that applies to UNSW entry requirements.

Master of Financial Technology (8433) English Language

A recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent You may need to provide evidence of your
qualification) with WAM of 65 or above as English language proficiency to study at UNSW,
determined by the UNSW Entry Calculator in any depending on your educational background and
of the following areas: business, commerce, citizenship. UNSW requires a minimum level of
information systems & technology management, English language competency for enrolment.
information technology, computer engineering and English language skills are essential for webinar
software engineering. comprehension and the completion of coursework,
assignments and examinations.
Graduate Diploma in Financial
Technology (5433) If English is not your first language, you will need
A recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent to provide proof of your English proficiency before
qualification) with a credit average of 65% or higher receiving an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this
as per the UNSW Entry Calculator. by providing evidence that you meet one or more of
the following criteria:
OR
English language tests and university
A WAM of 65 or above in the Graduate Certificate
English courses
in Financial Technology with full credit provided for
courses successfully completed. Prior study in the medium of English

Graduate Certificate in Financial Other qualifications

Technololgy (7434)
English waivers
A recognised bachelor degree (in any discipline)
OR Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

5 years relevant work experience in a commercial

or public service organisation related to banking,
finance or technology.

Articulation pathways exist to the Graduate Diploma

and Masters program if the student completes this
program with a minimum WAM of 65.

7 Master of Financial Technology

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit
towards your online postgraduate studies provided
that they meet relevant course requirements. If you
are eligible for admission and you have undertaken
previous studies at another institution, you may be
eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning
(RPL).

Students can apply for RPL during the program

application process and must ensure all relevant
supporting documents are submitted for assessment
if requested by Admissions, including course outlines
from the same year they completed the relevant
course/s as content may change over time. Courses
successfully completed within the past ten years
can be used for credit transfer within a program as
provided within the program rules and the University
rules on credit.

If completed similar courses in previous study,

Master of Financial Technology students can claim
up to 2 courses (12 units of credit) of RPL advanced
standing. However, RPL advanced standing is
not permitted for Graduate Diploma in Financial
Technology or the Graduate Certificate in Financial
Technology students.

Find out more about RPL and

credit transfer at UNSW

8 Master of Financial Technology

Academic
Leadership
Dr Benjamin Loos
Master of Financial
Technology
Key Academic
Benjamin joined the School of Banking and Finance in
2022. Before joining UNSW he held positions as Professor
for Digital Finance at Technical University of Munich, as
Associate Professor at University of Technology Sydney, and
as Assistant Professor at Mannheim Business School. He
completed his PhD in 2015 at Goethe University Frankfurt
with a thesis titled “Potential Solutions to Individual Investors’
Investment Mistakes”. He has also worked in the investment
banking departments of Bank of America and HSBC.

His research is mostly in behavioral and household finance

with a particular focus on financial advice, (digital) product
innovations like ETFs, fintech and individual investor behavior
in general. To address new fundamental questions his
research is based on big proprietary datasets stemming from
collaborations with banks and fintechs as well as from field-
and laboratory experiments.

9 Master of Financial Technology

Get in touch
Our Student Enrolment Advisors are here to help you with all
your program and enrolment queries.

studyonline.unsw.edu.au

1300 974 990

future-student@studyonline.unsw.edu.au

Have a question?
Book a 15-minute chat with Schedule a call
a Student Advisor

10 Master of Financial Technology

Course
descriptions
List A List B

FinTech Ecosystem and Industry Managing People, Analytics and

Insights12 Change  19

Decentralised Finance  12 Data and Ethics  19

RegTech Applications for Banking Principles of Programming  20

and Finance  13 Foundations of Cyber Security  20
Technical Tools for FinTech  13 Big Data Management  21
Problem Solving Methods for Foundations of Data Science  21
FinTech  14
Ethics and Professional
Data Management for FinTech 07 Standards  22
Robo Advisory and Portfolio Derivatives  22
Optimisation15
Fixed Income  22
Tech Disruption in Payments and
Transfers  16 Equity Valuation  22

Tech Disruption in Funding and Private Equity and Venture Capital 23

Lending  16
International Finance  23
InsurTech Applications  17
Corporate Finance  24
Managing a FinTech Startup  18
Portfolio Management  24
Financial Modelling  25
List C
Analytics and Business  25
Applied FinTech project  18
Introductory Data Analysis  26
Financial Management  26
Managing with Digital Technology 27
FinTech Ecosystem
and Industry Insights
(List A)
Course overview

This course gives an overview of the major changes that have recently occurred in the financial services
industry. It includes a series of discussions of some of the main disruption concepts in this space,
highlighting the main types of business models adopted, the skills required to succeed in this industry,
and the future career opportunities that can still open. This course focuses on FinTech case studies, which
will be backed by testimonials from industry executives who will share their experiences with the program
participants Podcast setting. These executives will share practical challenges, trends that they observe in
the industry, and the upcoming opportunities that they envision for a career in FinTech. These guest speakers
will be from different areas of FinTech, such as crowdfunding, data mining, robo advice, payments, foreign
currency transfers, regulation, among others.

Decentralised
Finance (List A)
Course overview

This course gives students an introduction to blockchain and cryptocurrency. The course begins with a brief
history and overview of this new paradigm, and it aims to highlight decentralisation as the key difference to
traditional finance.

12 Master of Financial Technology

RegTech Applications
for Banking and
Finance (List A)
Course overview

This course focuses on the set of rules, controls, policies, and resolutions put in place to dictate corporate
behaviour in the FinTech industry.

The last few decades have seen rapid growth in regulations, aimed at addressing key concerns emerging
from crises and scandals within the banking and finance world. Regulators have implemented more
stringent regulations, improved their monitoring and detection capabilities, and imposed expectations on
participants to improve their detection of internal and external misconduct.

The growth in the finance industry and the move towards electronic banking needs a system-based
approach to regulation management. This course is designed to provide an overview of the types of
requirements that apply to modern financial corporations and the core nature of systems that are deployed
to address these requirements.

Technical Tools
for FinTech (List A)
*

Course overview

This course deals with implications of technological advances on the current and future state of the financial
services industry.

It introduces computational finance and banking technology to generate applications of finance theory.
The applications can be used in many different areas of FinTech, such as digital currency (Bitcoin),
settlements (Blockchain), hedging, trading strategies, and financial advisory.

*Requires programming (Python) knowledge.

13 Master of Financial Technology

Problem Solving
Methods for FinTech^

(List A)
Course overview

This course applies the techniques and methodologies covered in ZZBU8504 Technical Tools for FinTech to
solve real problems in the financial services industry. A hands-on approach to the course helps students to
develop their toolkit for solving problems in derivative valuation, risk analytics, and standard
statistical modelling.

In addition, advanced topics on time-series data, sentiment analysis, and graphical visualisation methods
will be covered. This course emphasises applications in finance.

Data Management
for FinTech (List A)
^

Course overview

This course covers the implications of technological advances on the current and future state of
the financial services industry. It introduces the main financial databases and the methods to manage
such data.

^Pre-req: completion of ZZBU8504 Technical Tools for FinTech. This is a Python-intensive course.

14 Master of Financial Technology

Robo Advisory
and Portfolio
Optimisation (List A)
^

Course overview

This course examines the various algorithms used by robo-advisors to generate automated investment
solutions. It covers a wide range of financial models in the areas of investment analysis, portfolio theory,
portfolio risk management, and investment style analysis.

The methods examined include the Markowitz approach, the Black-Litterman model, and a mix of
quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The course also examines the implementation challenges
associated with these methods and discusses the disruption potential that still exists in this FinTech
subdomain.

Lastly, this course analyses the most recent academic research on this topic, to better understand the
promises and pitfalls of robo-advisors.

Course project
example:
The project for this course will
be to create a robo-advisor from
scratch then challenge students
to propose relevant extensions to
the baseline algorithm.

^Pre-req: completion of ZZBU8504 Technical Tools for FinTech. This is a Python-intensive course.

15 Master of Financial Technology

Tech Disruption
in Payments and
Transfers (List A)
Course overview

This course provides an in-depth exposition of payment and transfer systems as related to technological
changes. Payments and transfers are one of the fastest-growing segments and are at the forefront of FinTech
evolution.

The course covers a brief history of payments and transfers, starting with barter up to discussing the most
recent digital advancements. This is a case study-driven course with industry practitioners providing an
insight into relevant challenges and solutions. Here we cover payment gateway providers and underlying
disruptive technologies, right through to the domain of digital cash messages and crypto platforms.

Tech Disruption in
Funding and Lending
(List A)
Course overview

This course deals with funding and lending from a financial perspective in the age of constant technological
change. It includes the theoretical underpinnings of pricing and valuations of capital raising, funding and
lending from the perspective of financial institutions and is supported by academic research.

Students then proceed to explore state-of-the-art technologies relevant in this space. Topics included, but
not limited to, are IPOs, ICOs, crowdfunding, neo-banks and technological companies entering the banking
sphere. These are explored in detail with the provision of real-world case studies.

Finally, the course aims to expand on previous discussions by looking at applied funding and lending use
cases as seen from the customer perspective, either as an individual, small business enterprise, or a large
corporation. Extensive use of academic research is used to highlight practical attributes of technological
changes across capital raising, funding and lending. Guest lecturers provide constructive scenarios to
enhance and enforce the main points of the topics covered.

16 Master of Financial Technology

InsurTech Applications
(List A)
Course overview

This course aims to inspire students to launch a start-up that disrupts the sector and solves some of the
challenges customers face with insurance. By sharing practical examples that bring theoretical and complex
concepts to life, this course will instil passion and enthusiasm in students. These practical examples are
supported by direct experiences of insurance as customers, highlighting the important role insurance plays
in their lives and the significant financial opportunity there is in disrupting the sector. Applied concepts
underlying what InsurTechs are and the problems they are looking to solve in the sector will enhance the
students’ understanding of InsurTech applications and will eventually enable a greater appreciation of the
importance of insurance in customers’ lives, the key pain points customers face, the role technology has in
enhancing the sector and outcomes for customers, start-ups, and end customers.

Assessment example:
The course concludes with
a critical assessment and
analysis of one InsurTech
company from a financial risk
management standpoint.

17 Master of Financial Technology

Managing a FinTech
Startup (List A)
*

Course overview

This course intends to expose students to the challenges associated with creating and managing a startup in
the FinTech industry. It covers the typical requirements for any startup firm, such as the design of a business
plan, fundraising, mentoring, among others.

Importantly, this course highlights:

(i) the governance issues faced by startups in the heavily regulated FinTech space

(ii) the competitive mass that is needed to enter into spaces already dominated by large organisations

(iii) the design of cost-effective marketing strategies to capture early adopters, when there is
typically a narrow window to scale up

(iv) the cybersecurity and data privacy issues, which are especially crucial for FinTech firms

(v) other issues, such as recruiting strategies, and tactics to create sustainable cash-flow profiles.

Applied FinTech
project (List C)
*

Course overview

Over the course of your studies, you will have gained

an appreciation for the vast range of opportunities that
exist for innovation within the FinTech space at the
intersection of financial services and technology. This
capstone course provides students with an industry
aligned framework for application of their cumulative
FinTech skills to identify a real-world opportunity for Applied Project Award:
an innovative FinTech application, and to then develop The best applied project
and pitch a methodology or an actual solution for developed by students in the
implementation of that FinTech application. Students Master of Financial Technology
will exercise and develop their collaborative, creative, will be awarded a prize
analytic and communication skills across this process. sponsored by industry.

*Pre-requisite: Completion of 48 Units of Credit (UOC), which is the

equivalent of 8 courses. Masters students must complete Applied
FinTech Project.

18 Master of Financial Technology

Managing People,
Analytics and Change
(List B)
Course overview

This course provides an understanding of the ways in which data analytics can be used to manage
people and change, and also the essential role of people in analytics. Using an evidence-based approach,
students explore the people-related elements of a business’s analytics and technology strategies, including
stakeholder and people management, power and influence, and working in cross-functional teams. We look
at the ways in which data analytics both drives and supports change in organisations. Students also develop
skills in designing and implementing successful organisational change processes.

Data and Ethics (List B)

Course overview

Data analytics takes place within an information supply chain comprising upstream sources and downstream
uses of data. Within this supply chain are multiple participants, interests and power relationships, yet firms
that collect and analyse data are often invisible to users. The use of data by many types of organisations
has already given rise to a range of practices and outcomes that are clearly harmful to individuals or groups,
leading to broad public concerns and legal ramifications.

It is therefore incumbent on data professionals to consider the ethical implications of their data generation
and use activities. This includes issues such as: what questions should be asked about data and its
sources?; how do downstream users of data protect or impact individuals and groups?; what are the rights
of various stakeholders, including consumers?; and who owns data, particularly within secondary markets?
Consideration of these implications gives rise to questions around the ethics of data (how data is generated,
recorded and shared), and the ethics of algorithms (how data is interpreted), the ethics of practices
(responsible data analytics).

This course will consider these issues and provides students with a set of thinking tools to help them
navigate ethical dilemmas and guide decisions and behaviours. The role of organisational and industry
cultures in shaping ethical (or unethical) data analytics practices will also be considered.

19 Master of Financial Technology

Principles of
Programming (List B)
Course overview

This course provides an introduction to programming in Python and covers the following essentials:

• Program design and implementation in a high-level language, with procedural and object-oriented
constructs and some functional features;

• Fundamental programming techniques, data structures and algorithms;

• Debugging and testing;

• Simulation;

• Applications in different areas, including those involving graphical user interfaces and animations.

Foundations of Cyber
Security (List B)^^

Course overview

This foundational course will equip you with an understanding of cyber security concepts, nomenclature, and
key current issues, practice and trends.

Learning activities

You will analyse case studies applying cyber security principles to decision making in real world historical and
contemporary scenarios.

Web-based practical work will introduce simple security vulnerabilities and exploits. No programming
experience is assumed.

^^This course will not be offered from Hexamester 3, 2024

20 Master of Financial Technology

Big Data Management
(List B)
Course overview

This course introduces the core concepts and technologies involved in managing big data. Topics
include: characteristics of Big Data and Big Data analysis storage systems (e.g. HDFS, S3); techniques for
manipulating Big Data (e.g. MapReduce, streaming, compression); programming languages (e.g. Spark,

PigLatin); query languages (e.g. Jaql, Hive); database systems (e.g. noSQL systems, HBase), and typical
applications (e.g. recommender systems, dimensionality reduction, text analysis).

Foundations of Data
Science (List B)
Course overview

This course covers the fundamentals of data science as it is applied in computer science, economics and
mathematics and statistics. The course will provide an introduction to topics such as databases, data
analytics, data mining, Bayesian statistics, statistical software, econometrics, machine learning and business
forecasting. The course also aims to indicate the relevance of the courses that follow in the program
(including electives) and their place in data science and its applications.

21 Master of Financial Technology

Ethics and Professional
Standards (List B)
Course overview

This course describes why a high level of ethical standard is needed in investment management. It covers the
six components of the Code of Ethics and the details of each of the seven Standards of Professional Conduct.
It also goes through key features and scope of the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS), why
they were created, to whom they apply to, and how to verify GIPS compliance.

Derivatives (List B)
Course overview

This course covers some fundamental pricing principles that apply to various derivative contracts in
financial markets. It also covers the main types of derivatives contracts and valuation techniques. The
course emphasises the use of derivatives in financial risk management. It includes an option market making
simulation which aims to help students to gain practical knowledge about the sophisticated options market-
making mechanism.

Fixed Income (List B)

Course overview

This course covers the pricing, hedging and risk management of fixed income. It includes analytical and
numerical techniques, duration measures, the interaction between interest rate risk and credit risk, and
mortgage-backed securities.

Equity Valuation (List B)

Course overview

This course explores techniques, models and industry practices in equity analysis and valuation. Both
quantitative and fundamental analyses are covered to illustrate the work and research behind the trade
recommendation reports prepared by financial analysts.

22 Master of Financial Technology

Private Equity and
Venture Capital (List B)
Course overview

This course examines venture capital and private equity investments. In particular, it focuses on issues
surrounding the funding of entrepreneurial firms that are financed by venture capital or private equity funds.
The course departs from conventional investment approaches that examine risk and return of publicly listed
securities, focusing on issues associated with financing and innovation intensive private businesses.

International Finance
(List B)
Course overview

This course provides students with the knowledge required for the management of financial functions of
multinational firms. In addition to building a rich theoretical grounding in international finance concepts, the
course teaches you how to apply those concepts via real-world data analysis and scenario-based studies.

The course begins by exploring international monetary policy and foreign exchange markets at the macro-
economic level and moves on to a theoretical understanding of exchange rate determinants. We then shift
the focus from the global- to the transaction-level and learn how to identify and develop hedging strategies
to deal with risk related to exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations.

With the core conceptual understanding of hedging instruments in place, we expand our knowledge to
application and decision-making at the firm-level and students learn how multinational firms can invest and
finance in international markets and manage related risks.

At each stage of the student journey, learning material, as well as weekly activities and assessments, are
designed to build a community of inquiry and to articulate theory through real-world examples, cases or
data exercises.

23 Master of Financial Technology

Corporate Finance (List B)
Course overview

This course explores the modern fundamentals of corporate financial decision making with a focus on
the successful deployment of corporate assets, drawing on an understanding of the interests of a range
of stakeholders. Hence, we consider environmental, social and governance issues -- at the same time we
incorporate analyses of capital structure, payout strategies and financial forecasting concerns. The course is
a blend of theory and practice, drawing on prepared review exercises as well as the real-time analysis of listed
companies.

Portfolio Management
(List B)
Course overview

This course develops a framework to understand modern investments. Participants learn to evaluate
alternative investment strategies, develop a more complete understanding of the risk-return relation, and
discuss recent developments in investment management. Surveys various financial markets and provides a
review of the instruments used to allocate capital and manage risk. Topics include measuring risk and return,
designing optimal portfolios, pricing risk, valuing equities and fixed income securities, and hedging with
derivatives. The overarching goal is to prepare participants for the market challenges.

24 Master of Financial Technology

Financial Modelling
(List B)
Course overview

Financial Modelling will explore the techniques used by analysts in the business environment to facilitate
financial decision-making processes within uncertain contexts. This course aims to engender skills and
confidence to effectively create and use financial models, helping students to better understand and
communicate the practical value of financial models, and to build this literacy for their future work. Students
will develop and extend their skills in high-level critical thinking, problem-solving, and analysis. Students
will also develop a set of practical tools and techniques to help them make effective judgements about a
organisation’s current financial situation and future performance based on best-practice financial modelling
principles.

Analytics and Business

(List B)
Course overview

Business Analytics entails the use of data to support business decision-making. The field has emerged as a
crucial element of contemporary business practice. With the amount and range of information available to
organisations growing exponentially, the ability to harness this information for evidence-based management
has become a key capability.

This course presents the fundamentals of implementing and managing business analytics in organisations
including: decision making; business analytics concepts and frameworks; technologies and tools required
for descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics; frameworks for putting analytics to
work; technologies and tools required for business analytics; the governance, oversight and business value
gained from business analytics within organisations; ethical and social implications of business analytics;
future directions for business analytics.

25 Master of Financial Technology

Introductory Data
Analysis (List B)
Course overview

A key foundational step for business analytics is understanding the ways in which data can be presented
and analysed. Introductory Data Analysis provides a solid basis from which data analysis techniques can be
applied to solve business problems and support evidence-based decision-making, with a specific focus on
the use of Microsoft Excel.

This course will cover methods such as charts, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, confidence
intervals, hypothesis testing, and basic regression models. These methods will be the foundations for more
advanced courses using statistical and econometric methods.

Financial Management
(List B)
Course overview

This course introduces core concepts and principles associated with the financial management of
organisations. Drawing on financial and management accounting and aspects of corporate finance, this
course introduces students to core business skills including the ability to read and interpret financial
statements, an understanding of sources of revenue and drivers of costs as well as insights into the ways that
organisations are financed and how this impacts the business.

Students will also be introduced to principles of extended reporting, such as integrated reporting, that seek
to provide insights into the financial performance of organisations but also their social impact. Students will
have the opportunity to apply the concepts covered in this course to real world examples and will gain an
appreciation of how these concepts can be used to help shape business decisions. By the end of the course,
students will feel confident in using accounting and financial information.

26 Master of Financial Technology

Managing with Digital
Technology (List B)
Course overview

Managing with Digital Technology aims to increase technical literacy of managers and leaders. The main
objective of this course is to give managers a high-level overview of the fundamental concepts, main topics
and problems in contemporary information technology and how they relate to business settings, and thus
equip them to make better decisions regarding applications of technology, even if they are not technologists
themselves. This course takes a top-down approach and emphasises high-level mastery of important
concepts in information technology. Students who successfully complete this course will feel confident in
any technology organisation and will have an appreciation for the problems in the field, how they affect or
constrain business decisions and how it all works.

The course prepares students for product-management roles. Similarly, more and more industries,
especially traditional service industries, are creating their own products to deliver more capabilities to
their customers and require new capabilities from their managers. A successful product manager needs
to master the business side of developing a product as well as be able to interact with a wide range
of technical and non-technical stakeholders - from customers through to product engineers and user
experience specialists.

Managing with Digital Technology equips founders to succeed in technology endeavours. Successful
start-up founders will come across technology from day zero. Virtually every business idea today involves
technology - often entire stacks of various technologies. Founders with a non-technical background
must rely entirely on their technical co-founders, if they are lucky, or on the word of developers and other
technologists they hire, to help them realise their dream. They are often faced with difficult choices and
this course aims to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices not just in
business but in technology as well.

27 Master of Financial Technology