Module
Fundamentals of Financial Technology
Module description
This module provides a foundational, inter-disciplinary core for the cutting edge Exeter MSc FinTech programme. What exactly are the main disruptions Financial Technology is bringing? What is money, where does Bitcoin fit into its history, and how is it likely to change the Financial landscape? How are blockchain, AI, robo-advisory and many other technological innovations likely to continue automating financial services, reducing risks and human errors, and providing more accurate information and predictions? These questions will be answered, with input from a selection of real industry practitioners. On completion of this module, you will be confident in your ability to explain current and future trends in FinTech. No prior experience of programming will be expected while you are also introduced to practical programming in useful languages like Python.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Fundamentals of Financial Technology |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEEM061 |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2023/4 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 15 |
| ECTS value: | 7.5 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 12 |
Module aims
This module will introduce you to a new taxonomy of disruptive innovations that are reshaping financial services. You will examine how bitcoin, and hence all blockchain and smart contract applications work, which together with big data techniques and AI are utilised in FinTech. The theory behind how these systems work will be applied to real examples, allowing you as a potential entrepreneur to create your own specialised applications. By the end of this module you will understand how, why, and when banks, financial institutions and other firms can benefit from using these technologies as a way of making payments more efficient, improving user experience, tokenising assets and setting up secure smart contracts. You will also have a basic practical understanding of how to code in HTML, javascript and Python.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. examine case study approaches to how FinTech businesses work;
- 2. critically review and discuss a range of academic and non-academic papers reflecting on FinTech.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 3. analyse the techniques employed in FinTech.
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 4. demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills;
- 5. demonstrate digital literacy and basic programming skills.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 123 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | 22 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 5 | 5 x 1 hour tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 123 | Reading, question practice, and tutorial preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in Group Work | Seminars and 20 minute report back | 1-5 | In-Class Verbal Feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 20 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Term Exam | 20 | 50 minutes | 5 | Verbal feedback & indicative answers |
| Assignment | 80 | 2500 words | 1-4 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Term Exam (20%) | Exam (50 minutes, 20%) | 5 | Referral/Deferral Period |
| Assignment (80%) | Assignment (2,500 words, 80%) | 1-4 | Referral/Deferral Period |
Syllabus plan
- Overview of FinTech
- History of money, bitcoin, and blockchain
- Big Data, AI & Machine Learning
- Basic Programming
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Gupta, P & Tham, T.M. (2018). FinTech: The New DNA of Financial Services. Walter de Gruyter Inc, Boston/Berlin.
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
Origin date
20/08/2020
Last revision date
20/09/2022