Module
FinTech in Investment Management
Module description
This module is intended for Financial Services Professional Degree Apprenticeship students who are looking to develop a sound understanding in the concept of and areas of 'finance and technology, commonly known as ‘FinTech’. FinTech refers to the technological innovation in the design and delivery of financial services and products. The module defines FinTech and outlines some of its key areas of impact in the field of investment management. Advancements include the use of Big Data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are discussed to evaluate investment opportunities, optimise portfolios and mitigate risks. These developments affect not only quantitative asset managers but also fundamental asset managers who make use of these tools and technologies to engage in hybrid forms of investment decision making.
Full module specification
| Module title: | FinTech in Investment Management |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEF2003DA |
| Module level: | 2 |
| 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 2: 11 |
Module aims
This module is designed to provide a general overview on the concept of and areas of FinTech and outline some of its key areas of impact in the field of investment management. Regulatory and technological developments are changing the nature of financial markets, services and institutions in ways completely unexpected before the 2008 global financial crisis. The module focuses on topics such as Big Data, cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence that will provide an insight regarding the new ways in which technology has impacted the role of a financial analyst.
The areas of FinTech development that are more directly relevant to the investment industry include the following:
- Analysis of large datasets
- Analytical tools involving artificial intelligence
- Automated trading
- Automated advice such as Robo-advisers
- Financial record keeping, such as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
The development of ‘RegTech’ is also introduced in this module, as financial market participants and regulators use technology to enhance regulatory compliance and streamline its component processes.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Define FinTech and identify their advantages and challenges
- 2. Describe Big Data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
- 3. Apply FinTech applications to investment management
- 4. Describe financial applications of Distributed Ledger Technology
- 5. Evaluate security challenges in the evolving Fintech landscape
- 6. Explain how the programming code and economic incentive structures make cryptocurrencies work
- 7. Discuss the development of RegTech
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 8. Evaluate the implications of FinTech in delivering financial solutions
- 9. Apply FinTech to the control to costs and risks effectively
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 10. Identify new opportunities and development in organisations
- 11. Keep up to date with sector relevant legal/regulatory changes
- 12. Identify the likely consequences of proposed reforms and new approaches
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 118 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 14 hours (2 days) | Masterclass/workshops |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 14 hours | Online lectures and webinars |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 4 hours | Revision |
| Guided independent study | 118 hours | Reading and research, web-based activities |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock Exam | 1 hour 15 minutes exam | 1-7 | Marks and feedback |
| Online Discussion | Online discussion contributions | 1-13 | Online discussion feedback from peers and lecturer |
| Weekly online quizzes | Five quizzes, each taking about 20 minutes | 1-13 | Correct answers on ELE |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 50 | 1 hour 15 minutes written exam | 1-7 | |
| Applied exercise Assignment | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-13 | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 1 hour 15 minutes written exam | 1-7 | Next available opportunity |
| Applied exercise Assignment | 50% 2,000 words | 1-15 |
Re-assessment notes
Defer – as first time
Refer – capped at 40%
Syllabus plan
- FinTech: An Introduction
- The Evolution of Fintech
- FinTech in Developed and Developing Economics
- Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning
- FinTech applications to investment management
- FinTech applications to portfolio administration
- Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology
- What’s next for RegTech
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- Chishti, Susanne and Janos Barberis (2016), The FINTECH Book: The Financial Technology Handbook for Investors, Entrepreneurs and Visionaries, Wiley.
- Forum, World Economic (2015), The Future of FinTech A Paradigm Shift in Small Business Finance
- Ernst and Young (2014), Landscaping UK Fintech Commissioned by UK Trade & Investment
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Origin date
28/02/2019
Last revision date
15/03/2019