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Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Course overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
12 Months -
20 Sep 2027
Shape the future of finance through technology, data, and innovation
Financial technology (FinTech) is changing at an extraordinary speed. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming decision-making, blockchain is challenging traditional financial models, and data is becoming one of the most valuable assets in the global economy.
From digital payments and automated investment to cybersecurity and intelligent financial services, technology is reshaping how businesses, governments, and individuals manage, invest, and interact with money.
On this MSc Financial Technology & Analysis course, you’ll explore the technologies driving this transformation and develop the financial, analytical, and technological expertise to understand and shape what comes next.
As part of this MSc FinTech course, you’ll
- Explore the technologies transforming finance, from AI, machine learning, and big data to blockchain, cybersecurity, and digital financial services
- Turn complex data into meaningful insight, developing the analytical expertise to evaluate financial information, emerging technologies, and business challenges
- Challenge conventional thinking, taking a creative approach to analysing complex financial and business issues and making informed decisions
- Become a confident, independent researcher, developing advanced skills in sourcing, evaluating, analysing, interpreting, and consolidating knowledge across finance and financial technology
- Examine the ethical, sustainable, and societal implications of financial innovation, considering how technology can contribute to more responsible and inclusive financial decision-making
You’ll combine theory with practical application, connecting ideas to the challenges facing today’s financial organisations and the opportunities emerging across the sector.
Bring industry insight into your studies
By studying at Leeds Business School, you’ll learn from academics with expertise across finance, technology, data analysis, and business, bringing contemporary research and professional insight into your studies. You’ll be encouraged to question established approaches, challenge assumptions, and explore emerging ideas, developing your own informed perspective on the challenges and opportunities transforming financial services.
Connect your learning to practice
Through a blend of theoretical and practical learning, you’ll explore how organisations are responding to rapid technological change and how innovation is influencing financial markets and global business. Guest lectures and industry engagement will help you connect your learning to contemporary professional practice, offering you insight into the developments shaping the sector.
Build your research expertise
You’ll develop advanced research and analytical skills on this master’s degree, learning how to source, interpret, and critically evaluate complex information and turn it into meaningful conclusions. Your dissertation – an analyst report – gives you the chance to apply your knowledge to a substantial piece of research. You’ll explore a topic aligned with your ambitions and demonstrate the independent thinking and analytical expertise you’ve developed throughout the course.
Why study the MSc Financial Technology and Analysis course at Leeds Beckett University
- Explore the future of finance – investigate the technologies transforming global financial services, including AI, machine learning, blockchain, big data, and cybersecurity
- Build in-demand expertise – combine advanced financial knowledge with analytical and technological skills sought by employers across the financial sector
- Turn data into insight – learn to analyse complex information and use data-driven insights to support financial decision-making and solve real challenges
- Think beyond the technology – explore the ethical, sustainable, and societal implications of financial innovation
- Prepare for a global industry – develop the critical thinking, research expertise, and confidence to pursue roles across international financial and tech-driven organisations
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; a template can be accessed at this link.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements, please access further details at this link
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; a template can be accessed at this link.
All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements, please access further details at this link
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Modules, teaching and learning
What you'll learn
Explore how accounting and finance can help you assess company performance, evaluate business prospects, and understand what drives corporate value. You'll analyse and interpret financial statements and annual reports to assess a company’s financial position and potential for growth. From an investor's perspective, you'll apply valuation models to estimate the value of company shares and other securities, while examining how businesses raise finance and how their choices affect financial sustainability and shareholder value.
Examine how digital innovation is transforming the financial services industry, from the way people make payments to how financial institutions operate and compete. You'll explore key FinTech technologies, including blockchain, cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, big data, and digital payment systems, considering how they're applied in financial services. You'll also evaluate emerging business models, their impact on financial markets and the global economy, and the opportunities and challenges they create for financial institutions. Alongside this, you'll investigate the regulatory frameworks, risks, and governance issues shaping the development of FinTech worldwide.
Discover how data analytics can help businesses make informed decisions, solve problems, and identify opportunities. You'll explore analytical techniques for interpreting business, accounting, and economic data, developing practical skills in Microsoft Excel and Python. Through spreadsheet modelling, data manipulation, and visualisation, you'll learn how to analyse information, build financial and analytical models, and communicate your findings effectively. You'll also consider the ethical, governance, and data quality issues involved in using data responsibly, applying your knowledge to real-world business and financial contexts.
Explore how global capital markets operate and how financial instruments are traded, valued, and used to inform financial decisions. You'll examine equity and debt markets, foreign exchange, and derivatives, considering their role in the financial services industry and their wider impact on the economy. You'll investigate capital market theory and market efficiency and assess the assumptions behind these concepts and the challenges of technical analysis. You'll also consider how different financial instruments can be used to manage risk and support informed decision-making.
Investigate how machine learning and artificial intelligence are transforming finance and accounting, from predicting financial trends to supporting data-driven decisions. Building on your data analytics skills, you'll use Python-based tools to prepare data, develop predictive models, and assess their performance. You'll explore different machine learning techniques and learn how to select and validate models for financial applications. Alongside the practical skills, you'll evaluate the risks and limitations of AI, including overfitting, bias, and reliability, considering how these affect the use of predictive models in financial decision-making.
Bring together your knowledge of finance, accounting, and financial technology to produce a master's-level dissertation in the form of a professional financial analyst report. You'll select a listed company to investigate, conducting independent research into its financial performance, strategic position, and future prospects. Using techniques such as financial modelling, forecasting, and company valuation, you'll interpret data, evaluate evidence, and develop recommendations based on your findings. You'll also critically assess relevant academic and industry literature, justify your research methods, and reflect on the assumptions and limitations of your analysis. Through this extended independent project, you'll demonstrate your ability to apply financial theory to real-world decisions.
What you'll learn
Understand how corporate governance, risk management, and ethical practices help businesses operate responsibly and maintain accountability. You'll examine the role of boards and committees, exploring how they oversee business performance, manage risk, and respond to corporate scandals, fraud, and money laundering. You'll investigate the work of internal and external auditors, the control systems used to safeguard organisations, and how forensic accountants use IT and digital tools to detect and prevent fraud. You'll also evaluate ethical responsibilities, corporate sustainability, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and how businesses manage and report their wider impacts.
Investigate how blockchain technology and decentralised finance are reshaping financial services, creating new opportunities and risks for digital financial systems. You'll examine crypto assets and the technologies behind them, including decentralised exchanges, lending protocols, stablecoins, and tokenised assets. By comparing decentralised and traditional finance, you'll evaluate FinTech services such as digital payments, peer-to-peer lending, and crowdfunding, assessing their applications and impact on financial markets and institutions. You'll also investigate cybersecurity threats such as ransomware, smart contract vulnerabilities, and digital identity risks, evaluating how governance, regulation, and operational resilience can help protect organisations and individuals.
Discover how investment decisions are made and how portfolios are constructed to meet different financial objectives. You'll compare investment options and examine how investors balance risk and return through diversification, portfolio theory, and active and passive management strategies. You'll also investigate bond management, fund management, hedging, and techniques for measuring portfolio performance, while learning how asset and liability management supports financial institutions. You'll consider how investment funds, including pension funds, mutual funds, and other collective investments, are managed to meet different investor needs. With practical insights from a practising portfolio manager, you'll develop knowledge and skills relevant to careers in financial services, as well as managing your own investments.
Examine the growing influence of sustainability and climate change on financial decision-making, investment strategies, and corporate priorities. You’ll look at environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and reporting standards, evaluating how regulation, stakeholder expectations, and global policy developments influence businesses and financial markets. You’ll investigate sustainable investment approaches, green bonds, carbon markets, and transition finance, assessing the risks and opportunities these create for companies, investors, and financial institutions. You’ll also analyse physical and transition risks linked to climate change and evaluate ESG and climate-related performance measures to inform investment decisions and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course are not yet confirmed.
Fees for this course are not yet confirmed.
Fees and funding
Fees for this course are not yet confirmed.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Fees for this course are not yet confirmed.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
The rapid growth of financial technology is creating new opportunities for professionals who can combine financial knowledge with expertise in data analytics and emerging technologies. As organisations increasingly adopt AI, automation, blockchain, and other digital innovations, there’s growing demand for graduates who can understand both the financial and technological challenges facing the sector.
This MSc is designed to help you develop the combination of financial knowledge, technological awareness, analytical capability, problem-solving skills, and confidence needed to succeed in the changing and competitive job market.
Whether you’re interested in analysing data, managing risk, developing strategy, or exploring the next generation of financial technology, you’ll graduate equipped for a wide range of roles across the sector. Depending on your experience and interests, you could pursue roles such as:
- Financial technology (FinTech) analyst
- Banker (investment and retail banking)
- Data analyst
- Financial advisor/consultant (personal and corporate)
- Risk analyst
- Finance manager
The intersection of finance, technology and innovation is reshaping the financial sector. If you are interested in pursuing a career in one of the world's fastest-growing sectors and want to develop the knowledge and skills that employers are increasingly looking for, MSc Financial Technology and Analysis at Leeds Beckett University is just for you.”
Sujana Shafique
Course Director
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed – whether that’s completing your current studies or joining our cutting-edge research teams.
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