The financial services and banking industry has witnessed major transformations in recent years, fueled by advances in digital platforms and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and blockchain, and a changing regulatory landscape that’s opening up the market to more competitors.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, financial professionals and students must be aware and knowledgeable about the trends that are reshaping the industry.
The following is a list of some of the world’s most notable fintech and blockchain courses available out there:
Fintech Talent Programme – Singapore
The Fintech Talent (FT) Programme was launched in 2017 by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), the Singapore Polytechnic (SP) and the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA).
The FT Programme covers the hottest trends and technologies in fintech, as well as cybersecurity, regulation, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and more.
Over 500 fintech professionals are set to attend the monthly sessions held practitioners and experts, which aim to train participants in the areas of technical, leadership and soft skills. Networking opportunities and sharing of experiences by speakers will also be presented to all participants at every session.
Institute of Blockchain Singapore
The Institute of Blockchain Singapore offers modules covering blockchain, cryptocurrencies, smart contract, cryptography, initial coin offering (ICO), and more.
Three programs will be launched progressively from Q3 2018 onwards and will be made available in full-time and part-time:
- Certificate in Blockchain Technology
- Diploma in Blockchain Technology
- Certified Blockchain Consultant
Founded in January 2018, the Institute of Blockchain Singapore is a blockchain and edutech private school with a primary focus on delivering blockchain education and certification and a secondary focus on blockchain research and development.
Introduction To Fintech – Hong Kong
Introduction To Fintech is a six week course by the University of Hong Kong designed with the support of SuperCharger and the Centre for Finance, Technology and Education (CFTE). The course aims to enable learners with the necessary tools to understand the complex interaction of finance, technology and regulation.
In this course, through a series of video lectures, case studies, and assessments, students will explore the major areas of fintech including payment and emerging technologies, digital finance and alternative finance, fintech regulation and regtech, data and security, as well as, the core technologies driving fintech including blockchain, AI and big data.
Essentials of Fintech for Entrepreneurs – Hong Kong
Essentials of Fintech for Entrepreneurs, by the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), is a short course of 30 hours that aims to equip participants with essential knowledge in innovation and applications of fintech. It focuses on the overall context in fintech including regulatory framework in finance.
The course covers blockchain, cryptocurrencies, ICOs, security trading, payments, P2P lending, and more, and is conducted in Cantonese.
Fintech: Blockchain & Beyond – China
Fintech: Blockchain & Beyond, by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), is three-day course for executives, investors and entrepreneurs, designed and delivered by leading scholars, founding CEOs and legal experts from China and the US.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn and discuss with experts and founders of blockchain companies from the US and China. In addition to the technical and business implications, the program will also address the regulatory and legal environment. On the last day, participants will have the opportunity to meet with a distinguished panel of tech entrepreneurs to discuss real business projects.
Belt & Road Fintech Advanced Program – China
Belt & Road Fintech Advanced Program, by the PBC School of Finance, Tsinghua University (PBCSF), claims to be the first fintech program of this kind in the world to comprehensively study the development trends of fintech and regulatory environment.
The program is taught by scholars from Tsinghua PBCSF, regulators and industry leaders, in collaborated with world established think tanks. It is designed to provide participants a first-hand understanding of fintech beyond books and theories with more interaction among a diverse profile of participants. It focuses on providing more opportunities for dialogues, networking events and field visits in order to achieve a highly effective way of experiential learning.
Blockchain For Business Course – South Korea
Decenter University’s Introductory Blockchain For Business Course is a nine-week course conducted in Korean.
The course aims to help students understand the origin and working principles of Bitcoin and Ethereum, understand the impact that blockchains have on existing industries by analyzing key projects using blockchain, and identify the global government and financial industry visions and trends toward the blockchain.
Students will also have the opportunity to network with experts and participants in the industry.
NYU’s Stern School of Business – USA
NYU’s Stern School of Business offers fintech electives in its MBA program. Courses include:
- Fintech Analytics: Data-Driven Credit Modeling,
- Digital Currencies, Blockchains, and the Financial Services Industry
- Financial Information Systems,
- Robo Advisors & Systematic Trading,
- Applications in Entrepreneurial Finance: Fintech,
- Risk Management for Fintech,
- Fintech Personal Finance and Payments,
- Dealing with Data.
Fintech For Executives: Understanding & Managing Innovation in Financial Technology – USA
NYU’s Stern School of Business also offers a three-day short course called Fintech For Executives: Understanding & Managing Innovation in Financial Technology taught by industry and academic leaders David Yermack and Kathleen DeRose. The course equips participants with an understanding of key fintech concepts, strategies and implications.
Participants will examine the evolution of fintech and digital currencies, and identify the pros, cons and opportunities surrounding these innovations. They will also learn about the regulatory frameworks currently in place to address privacy and law enforcement challenges.
The course will close with a discussion from the C-suite perspective about the broader implications of AI/machine learning on future job markets.
Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application – USA
MIT Sloan School of Management’s Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application is a six-week online course that draws on economic theory to offer participants a deep and practical understanding of blockchain technology, and effectively demonstrate its meaningful capacity for innovation and efficiency in business.
The program examines blockchain technology through an economic lens and covers the possibilities and limitations of blockchain technology and the long-term implications for businesses. Participants earn a certificate from the MIT Sloan School of Management after completion of the online program.
Fintech School – USA
Based in San Francisco, the Fintech School offers a number of learning online courses aimed at introducing professionals to key fintech topics such blockchain, crowdfunding, robo-advisors, insurtech, and more.
In addition to the online fintech courses, Fintech School also holds a number of workshops across North America for a more immersive program.
Around Fintech In 8 Hours – UK
Around Fintech In 8 Hours, by CFTE, is designed to give professionals working in the finance industry a solid understanding of how technology is redefining the provision of financial services.
The online course is structured in 16 modules delivered by the four experts covering cloud, blockchain, challenger banks, ICOs, and more, and features exclusive insights from 16 fintech CEOs, heads of innovation and global investors.
A certificate of completion from CFTE is delivered to participants once all modules are passed.
AI In Finance – UK
AI In Finance, by CFTE and in partnership with Singapore’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic, is a structured online course focusing on helping participants understand the applications of AI in finance.
The course is designed by finance and technology experts, specifically for the finance industry. The lectures and use cases have been designed for those who want to understand how AI is changing the industry, with specific examples relevant to financial services.
The course gives an overview of the main developments in AI, a description of the main technologies, and looks at implementation considerations, before diving into specific applications of AI in finance.
Innovative Banking – UK
Innovative Bank, by the Imperial College Business School and in partnership with CFTE, is a two-day program designed to encompass thought leadership from academic experts, tech developments from leading disruptors and also practical insights from industry.
The program includes presentations, individual learning, group work, and high impact discussions encouraging all participants to challenge the status quo in their business. It covers blockchain, digital identity, cryptocurrencies, digital payments, and more.
The program is targeted at managers who need to prepare for disruptive innovations and challenges coming out of the fintech ecosystem, managers and project directors who need to better understand areas of fintech relevant to their line of work, and heads of strategy and innovation.
Oxford Fintech Programme – UK
The Oxford Fintech Programme, by the Saïd Business School, is a ten-week online course which examines current and emerging technologies around money and payments, markets and consumer experience, and explores key ideas, principles, and frameworks around regtech, proptech and social inclusion.
This online program integrates interactive media such as videos, infographics, and digital learning activities as well as traditional didactic components such as written study guides. It covers topics ranging from blockchain and AI to crowdfunding and quantum computing, and is targeted at professionals in the financial services industry, as well as fintech entrepreneurs.
Wake Up France: L’Ecole de la Fintech – France
Wake Up is a six-week, one-day-a-week training program conducted in French through which young financial executives in a small group of 15 learn about fintech from the entrepreneurs who practice it.
To help students attain their dream fintech job, be it entrepreneur, intrapreneur or work for a startup, the program has three pillars: fintech, mindset and technology.
Topics covered include cryptocurrencies, blockchain, robo-advisors, AI, and more.
Máster en Blockchain, Smart Contracts y CriptoEconomía – Spain
Máster en Blockchain, Smart Contracts y CriptoEconomía (Masters in Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Crytoeconomy) by the Universidad Europea Madrid, aims to provide a comprehensive training in the fields of blockchain technology, decentralized autonomous organizations, smart contracts, and cryptocurrencies, from a triple perspective: technological, economic-financial and regulatory.
The program is conducted in Spanish and is targeted at professionals, students and those interested in knowing blockchain-based technologies.
Master of Science degree in Digital Currency – Cyprus
The Master of Science degree in Digital Currency by the University of Nicosia is designed to help financial services and business professionals, entrepreneurs, government officials and public administrators better understand the technical underpinnings of digital currency, how it will likely interact with existing monetary and financial systems, and what opportunities exist for innovation in digital currency systems.
The online program, delivered in English, aims to bridge the gap in specialist and generalist knowledge in this multidisciplinary field.
Diplomatura en Criptoeconomía: Blockchain, Contratos Inteligentes y Criptomonedas – Argentina
Diplomatura en Criptoeconomía: Blockchain, Contratos Inteligentes y Criptomonedas (Diploma in Cryptoeconomics: Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Cryptocurrencies) by the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires Institute of Technology) is a program delivered in Spanish aimed at anyone looking to acquire basic and intermediate knowledge in the world of cryptocurrencies, ICOs, smart contracts, and blockchain technology.
The program is designed especially for people who are starting from scratch or with very basic knowledge and who wish to learn the reasons, mechanics and disruptive opportunities at the monetary, technological and investment levels related to the world of cryptoeconomics.
Developing Blockchain Strategy – Australia
Developing Blockchain Strategy is an eight-week online course provided by the RMIT University developed in partnership with Stone & Chalk and Accenture.
The course provides a conceptual understanding of blockchain technology but also the potential impact of blockchain on wider society, and explores use cases across different industries and strategic frameworks for applying blockchain to businesses.
It is targeted at business leaders and the next generation of entrepreneurs looking to develop a rich and relevant understanding of blockchain, what it is and how it will impact their industry and business.
Facing The Fintech Disruption Challenge: Fintech For Financial Services Professionals – South Africa
Facing The Fintech Disruption Challenge: Fintech For Financial Services Professionals is a three-day short course provided by Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town.
The course aims to help delegates understand fintech and the challenges and opportunities these innovations pose. Delegates gain a thorough understanding of the foundations and principles that enabled the rise of fintechs and examine case studies for an in-depth analysis of specific innovations such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The course advances fintech knowledge, much needed in the industry, and gives delegates insight into the applications, limitations and risks of technological innovations.
Featured image via Unsplash
