The University of Edinburgh

The University is a founding member of FinTech Scotland and was named Financial Technology Partner of the Year at the 2019 Scottish FinTech Awards, in recognition of initiatives and engagement with financial services and fintech companies.

In June 2020 the Global Open Finance Centre of Excellence, hosted at the University, was awarded £22.5 million from the UK Government. As one of seven UK recipients of major Strength in Places funding across all sectors, the award recognises Edinburgh’s national leadership in finance innovation.

Of particular relevance to the financial sector is the University’s leading role in the Data-Driven Innovation programme of the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal and the creation of Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). The Institute connects researchers from across a range disciplines to address major industry challenges, and has a particular focus on the application and use of fintech. Our academics are developing interdisciplinary research to address societal challenges and explore new business models linked to the delivery of financial services. Working with partners in fintech and financial services we aim to develop solutions to address business challenges.

The University supplies a rich pipeline of talent to help businesses, both locally and globally, grow their fintech capabilities, and has ambitious plans to increase our impact and help make Edinburgh the Data Capital of Europe. As one of the world’s leading Universities we produce over 1,000 graduates a year in data science, and over 300 in Finance and Innovation. We supply a rich pipeline of talent to help businesses, both locally and globally, grow their Fintech capabilities.

Our MSc in Finance, Technology & Policy is a unique degree applying the core principles of finance with practical skills in programming, machine learning and big data analysis within a problem-based learning framework to help students develop the skillsets that are relevant for Fintech roles of today and the future.We also develop Fintech talent across our wider programme portfolio, which includes specialist degrees in:

• Business Analytics
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Banking & Risk
• Finance
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Informatics
• Design Informatics
• Financial Mathematics
• Financial Modelling & Optimization
• Computational Mathematical Finance

Students of MSc Fintech (MSc in Finance, Technology & Policy) and many of our other specialist degrees undertake industry research and consultancy projects as part of their studies. It is a great opportunity to engage with our students and receive a dedicated piece of work including a rigorous academic report, and a business-focused analysis and summary for practical purposes.