Master of Science Financial Technology

MScPostgraduateBusiness & Finance

Part Time Available

About This Programme

The Master of Science in Financial Technology (MSc FinTech) is a graduate program designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in the rapidly evolving digital finance ecosystem. Offered by the College of Business Administration, Department of Finance and Economics, the program integrates advanced financial theory with cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cybersecurity, and computational finance. The program equips students with strong analytical, technical, and research skills to address complex challenges in banking, financial markets, fintech firms, and regulatory institutions. Emphasis is placed on ethical standards, sustainability, innovation, and data-driven decision-making, with particular attention to the UAE and Gulf region’s digital finance landscape within a global context. The MSc FinTech is a 33-credit-hour program delivered in English, with full-time and part-time study options. Students complete a structured set of compulsory and elective courses and culminate their studies with a research thesis. Admission pathways accommodate applicants from finance, business, and non-business backgrounds, with remedial courses assigned where necessary. First student intake begins Fall 2026/2027 at the University of Sharjah - Main Campus.

Course Highlights

33 credit hours
Taught in English
College of Business Administration
First intake Fall 2026/2027
Includes a 9-credit research thesis
Full-time and part-time study

What You'll Study

The student shall be awarded the master’s degree by a decision of the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Council of Deans and the Council of Graduate Studies and upon a proposal from the Department after the student has completed all the program requirements with a CGPA of not less than 3 out of 4. Degree Requirements Compulsory courses (18 credit hours) Elective Courses (6 credit hours) Thesis (9 credit hours) The study plan document counts the thesis within 27 credit hours of compulsory courses.

Year 1, Fall semester

9 credit hours

0308510Modern Finance and Financial Technology3 credits
The course focuses on understanding the opportunities and challenges associated with these advancements and their impact on traditional financial systems. Topics include blockchain, cryptocurrencies, digital payments, peer-to-peer lending, robo-advisors, and regulatory frameworks. Students will explore the technological and operational foundations of FinTech, the challenges of implementation, and the opportunities for innovation within the financial sector.
0308511Advanced Corporate Finance3 credits
This course provides an overview of the fundamental theory and practice of corporate finance in a global context. Core topics include capital budgeting, cost of capital, capital structure, and dividend policy, with a focus on their application to real-world corporate decision-making. The course also examines how sustainability and emerging technologies, such as AI and financial analytics, influence these fundamental issues and reshape corporate finance practices in a dynamic environment.
0308512Financial Econometrics3 credits
This course provides comprehensive analysis of financial phenomena using statistical concepts, techniques, and methods that are extensively used to support business decision-making activities. The course draws from concepts and applies techniques in econometrics and statistics aiming to develop competence in the interpretation and analysis of data and development of models. The main issues and techniques covered in this course include concepts in probability and distributions; inferential statistics; and simple or linear and multiple regression analyses. The focus of this course is regression analysis mostly on finance and economics time series data. All material leading up to the topic of regression modeling and analysis is considered requirement. Computer packages such as Stata, EViews and R are used to illustrate and reinforce their applications of the regression topics considered, including case studies.

Year 1, Spring semester

9 credit hours

0308514Banking Management3 credits
This course covers the knowledge, skills and applications in the theory and applications of bank management. It offers a comprehensive overview of key concepts, operations, and management strategies and navigating to gain in-depth insights into the intricate workings payment and settlement systems, retail banking, foreign exchange operations, marketing, lending, and fundamental banking principles. The course covers the topics, including bank accounts, bank services, methods of payment through the banking system, asset management, liability management, credit analysis, investment policies, and bank marketing.
0308513Blockchain Applications and Cybersecurity3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308510 Modern Finance and Financial Technology
This course provides an in-depth exploration of blockchain technology and its applications and offers insights into cybersecurity needs. The first part of the course focusses on blockchain technologies and its financial applications. Students will be offered the basics of blockchain and other forms of distributed ledger technology, their underlying cryptographic fundamentals and limitations. It also introduces the fundamentals of digital/electronic currencies (such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.), their advantages over the conventional/paper currencies, their challenges with their creation. It also focuses on the functioning of blockchain systems in financial systems, such as transactions, consensus mechanisms, and smart contracts, as well as giving a smooth introduction to the basic features of cryptography that underpin blockchain technology, e.g., digital signatures and hashing. In the second part of the course, students will be offered a wide range of methods and technologies that are used to achieve cybersecurity, based on insights from businesses, government/regulatory organisations and technology firms. Among other things, it offers adequate attention to the regulatory and social responsibility aspects of cybersecurity. This course also provides practical applications of theories introduced along with their role in promoting ethical and sustainable businesses, financial systems and economies.
0308515Big Data Management in Finance3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308510 Modern Finance and Financial Technology
This course covers advanced techniques for managing and analyzing large-scale financial datasets. It includes applications of big data technologies, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in finance. Topics include data storage solutions, real-time analytics, predictive modeling, and ethical considerations in big data. Case studies from banking, investment, and fintech industries will be used to illustrate practical implementations.

Year 2, Fall semester

9 credit hours

Program Elective3 credits
Program Elective3 credits
0308600Thesis3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308510 Modern Finance and Financial Technology, 0308513 Blockchain Applications and Cybersecurity, Grad. Standing
The Master’s Thesis is the culminating assessment in earning the degree of Master of Science in Financial Technology. This course gives students an opportunity to produce and defend a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor in the field of Financial Technology. Students shall formulate a research question of relevance within the field of study, choose a methodology that can be used to find answers to the research question, use concepts, theories and methods to analyze and answer the research question and present a written, scientifically convincing argumentation to justify the results. Each student is given a supervisor who will advise the student in the research task included in the course and in the writing of the thesis.

Year 2, Spring semester

6 credit hours (programme total: 33)

0308600Thesis6 credits
Prerequisite: 0308510 Modern Finance and Financial Technology, 0308513 Blockchain Applications and Cybersecurity, Grad. Standing

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

The two Program Electives are chosen from this list.

0308517Digital Innovation3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308510 Modern Finance and Financial Technology
This course examines the transformative role of digital innovation in financial services, focusing on technologies like blockchain, AI, and big data analytics. It explores their impact on markets, institutions, and regulations, emphasizing financial inclusion, efficiency, and challenges such as cybersecurity. Special attention is given to the UAE's fintech ecosystem, equipping students with practical skills to address contemporary issues in digital finance.
0308518Financial Markets and Institutions3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308511 Advanced Corporate Finance
This course examines the structure, functioning, and regulation of financial markets and institutions, with a focus on global and UAE contexts. It covers financial intermediaries, market mechanisms, monetary policy, and the impact of FinTech on market dynamics. Students will analyze financial instruments, assess risk management, and explore the factors influencing market efficiency, with practical applications using UAE case studies.
0308524Advanced Financial Sustainability3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308511 Advanced Corporate Finance
This course introduces students to the theoretical and empirical research in finance sustainability issues. It covers the necessary foundation of theoretical and conceptual tools of financial sustainability that contains introductory to sustainable Finance, development finance and growth, finance and global warming, sustainable Finance and technology, climate and renewable energy finance, environmental sustainability, and applications of sustainable finance.
0308520Advanced Portfolio Management3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308511 Advanced Corporate Finance, 0308512 Financial Econometrics
This course offers an in-depth study of advanced portfolio management and modern investment strategies. It covers mean-variance portfolio theory, efficient frontier construction, asset pricing models, and portfolio selection under risk. The course emphasizes risk-return analysis, correlation structures, and portfolio performance evaluation using market- and density-based measures. It also integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, ethical standards, and legal considerations to support informed and responsible portfolio decision-making in professional investment practice.
0308525Ethics and Professional Standard in Finance3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308510 Modern Finance and Financial Technology
This course examines ethical theories and professional standards essential in the field of finance, with a particular emphasis on the evolving landscape of financial technology. Students will explore global and cultural ethical frameworks and apply critical thinking to navigate real-world dilemmas in fintech and finance. Through case studies and projects, students will develop an understanding of ethical decision-making, corporate governance, and adherence to regulatory standards of professional behavior within the UAE and global contexts.
0308526Computational Finance and C++3 credits
Prerequisite: 0308513 Blockchain Applications and Cybersecurity
This course introduces the fundamentals of C++ programming and its application in computational finance. Students will learn object-oriented programming, numerical methods, and risk modeling techniques such as Monte Carlo simulations and Value at Risk (VaR). The course covers data structures, portfolio optimization, and algorithmic trading, with hands-on integration of C++ with tools like Excel and databases. A final project enables students to develop practical financial applications, preparing them for advanced roles in computational finance.

What You'll Learn

• Apply advanced financial and FinTech concepts in real-world business and banking contexts. • Use blockchain, AI, big data, and cybersecurity tools to support digital finance innovation. • Analyze financial data using financial econometrics and quantitative techniques. • Design technology-driven financial solutions for modern markets and institutions. • Understand UAE, Gulf, and global financial ecosystems within international standards. • Apply ethical, professional, and regulatory frameworks in finance and FinTech. • Conduct independent research and produce a master’s thesis using rigorous methodologies.

Entry Requirements

Academic: College Requirements (admission pathways) 1- Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree in Finance are admitted directly, with no remedial courses required. 2- Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a Business-related field (e.g., Marketing, Management, Accounting, etc.) Applicants are admitted conditionally and must successfully complete the following two remedial courses: • Corporate Finance (0308331) • Investment Analysis (0308332) 3- Candidates with a non-Business background (e.g., Engineering, Health Sciences, etc.) Applicants are admitted conditionally and must successfully complete the following five remedial courses: • Financial Management (0308230) • Introduction to Economics (Non-Business) (0308150) • Business Statistics (1440264) • Corporate Finance (0308331) prerequisite is (0308230) • Investment Analysis (0308332) prerequisite is (0308230) A candidate may be exempted from the remedial course(s) if it is approved that they have already completed equivalent course(s). Admission requirements for master programs: • The student must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00. • Students with a CGPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted conditionally. • The degree must be in a major that qualifies the student to study the master's program. • Students must meet the English language proficiency requirement. • Attachment of ‘no objection of study certificate’ from the authorities responsible for national service for male Emirati students (ages from 18 to 30 years old). • Attachment of a letter of study approval from the Kuwait Embassy Cultural Office for Kuwaiti students only. • Attachment of People of Determination card (if applicable). • In case the student works in a certain place, please attach a letter from the employer stating that the student is working for this agency. • For individuals with foreign qualifications, it is necessary to provide a Certificate of Equivalency.

English: For programs taught in English, a score of 550 in TOEFL (ITP) (or its equivalence), or 6 in IELTS must be obtained. Native English speakers are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if the language of instruction for their undergraduate studies was English. Additionally, students who graduated from academic institutions where English is used as the primary medium of instruction for bachelor’s studies are also exempt. Equivalent scores (EmSAT / paper-based TOEFL ITP / IELTS academic): 950-1075 / 450 / 4.5; 1100-1225 / 500 / 5.0; 1250-1375 / 530 / 5.5; 1400-1525 / 550 / 6.0. The paper-based TOEFL ITP is offered only by the University of Sharjah, AMIDEAST Dubai, and Abu Dhabi head offices. The UoS reserves the right to require students to attend an interview in the Languages Institute. Students may be required to take a further in-house test to ensure their scores are consistent with their English Language proficiency.

Careers

• FinTech Specialist / Product Analyst • Digital Banking & Financial Services Analyst • Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Analyst • Data Analyst / Financial Data Scientist • Risk Management & Compliance Analyst • Cybersecurity Analyst (Finance-focused) • Investment & Portfolio Analyst • Technology-Driven Financial Consultant • Regulatory & Financial Policy Analyst • Research Analyst or PhD Candidate in Finance/FinTech These career paths span banks, fintech firms, financial institutions, consulting companies, regulatory bodies, and technology-driven enterprises, both in the UAE/Gulf region and globally.