Finance, Technology and Policy MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time
Accreditation
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Finance, Technology and Policy
The operation of financial markets and the delivery of financial services impact a variety of real-world issues including job creation and credit approval. Our vocationally minded MSc in Finance, Technology and Policy addresses the knowledge gap created by the pace of technological transformation in financial services and markets.
Accreditation
Not only is the University of Edinburgh Business School part of a world renowned University, but it is also accredited by the three most influential business accreditation bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). This triple accreditation highlights the quality of teaching and excellence of research at the Business School.
Learning will primarily be through:
- formal lectures
- seminars
- workshops
- flipped classes
- practical computer labs sessions
- student presentations
- guest speakers
- masterclasses
- research assignments
- the research dissertation
Assessment methods include examinations, reports, essays and team presentations.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Finance, Technology and Policy | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
As well as delivering a solid understanding of key theoretical finance and economic concepts, this fintech MSc encourages potential future leaders to analyse and challenge the accepted financial setup.
By the end of the programme, you will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced knowledge of key theoretical finance and economic concepts underpinning financial markets
- critically compare, contrast and evaluate the different machine learning techniques in terms of their applicability to solving problems in finance - demonstrating this by using appropriate software to apply techniques to a given set of data
- have an in-depth understanding of the relationships existing among the key global financial systems (for example, how bond yields dictate investment in equity and its derivatives)
- conduct valuation of financial instruments and projects within relevant regulatory contexts
- trade financial instruments on exchanges/trading platforms by using state-of-the-art software packages and harnessing the power of relevant real-time financial data
- demonstrate an appreciation of the role played by policies in shaping financial services delivery and financial markets
- critically evaluate markets by being able to competently present arguments on the criticisms of the current set up and offer the basis for the development of alternative technology-based markets and financial services products
demonstrate an appreciation of the social dimensions of technology use in financial markets
Industry opportunities
We regularly bring guest speakers to the School to talk to Finance, Technology and Policy students about real, current practice. From company sponsored dissertations to career and employability treks, you will also have a variety of opportunities to learn from and network with industry and business professionals.
Career development
Graduates from the University of Edinburgh are highly sought after globally. Our dedicated Student Development Team within the Business School will be an integral part of your student experience from day one. We are here to help you become equipped to maximise your potential in the global market.
Career outcomes
The success of our programmes within the finance portfolio is reflected in the career destinations of our graduates. Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide the perfect learning experience with access to world-class academics and programmes that are underpinned by real world insights.
Job titles of our recent graduates include:
- analyst
- blockchain analyst
- company founder
- consultant
- financial analyst
- fintech product specialist
- fixed income trader
- global project manager
- innovation engineer
- senior portfolio manager
- senior technology consultant
software engineer
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 10 July 2025.
Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.
Academic requirements
A UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in one of the subjects below, or an equivalent overseas qualification.
An undergraduate honours degree in finance, economics, engineering or informatics is normally required.
You will need to have taken and passed at least one course with significant statistical analysis and/or programming as part of your undergraduate degree or be able to demonstrate that you have relevant work experience in the use of statistical and/or programming software packages.
Candidates with a first class or 2:1 honours degree in other disciplines will be considered on an individual basis if some level of finance/economics/informatics content formed part of the degree and you can demonstrate a high level of quantitative ability through your degree results.
Candidates with a first class or 2:1 honours degree in an unrelated subject area but have relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
Candidates with a first class or 2:1 honours degree in an unrelated subject area but who have relevant professional qualifications will be given due consideration on an individual basis.
If you are a mature candidate with significant finance and tech industry experience or with relevant professional qualifications, you will be given due consideration on an individual basis.
Students from China
This degree is Band A.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Application fee
This programme requires a non-refundable application fee.
- £60
Deposit
You will need to pay this deposit within 28 days of receiving your offer of admission (either unconditional or conditional).
- £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)
Additional programme costs
See the programme website for more information on additional costs, as well as deposit payment.
Living costs
You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies. Below you can find a breakdown of the cost of living in Edinburgh and other studying costs to help you calculate your finances.
Tuition fees
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSc | Finance, Technology and Policy | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Enquiry Management Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4000
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Adam Ntakaris
- Contact: adamantios.ntakaris@ed.ac.uk
- The University of Edinburgh Business School
- 29 Buccleuch Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9JS
- Programme: Finance, Technology and Policy
- School: Business School
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Finance, Technology and Policy - 1 Year (Full-time)
Due to high demand, the School operates a number of selection deadlines. We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline when we will offer a proportion of the places available to applicants selected through the competitive process described on the School website.
Full details on the admissions process and the selection deadlines are available on the Business School website:
Deadlines for applicants applying to study in 2025/26:
Round | Application deadline | Decisions by |
---|---|---|
1 | 16 October 2024 | 5 December 2024 |
2 | 11 December 2024 | 20 February 2025 |
3 | 12 February 2025 | 24 April 2025 |
4 | 23 April 2025 | 5 June 2025 |
5 | 11 June 2025 | 24 July 2025 |
You must submit one reference with your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Enquiry Management Team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4000
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Adam Ntakaris
- Contact: adamantios.ntakaris@ed.ac.uk
- The University of Edinburgh Business School
- 29 Buccleuch Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9JS
- Programme: Finance, Technology and Policy
- School: Business School
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences