IB3M1-15 Fintech
Introductory description
This module is only open to WBS undergraduate students, and some students taking joint degrees with WBS and another department. Students from other departments cannot take this module. To find detailed availability and to apply for this module, log in to my.wbs.ac.uk using your normal IT login details and apply via the my.wbs module application system. Once you’ve secured a place on my.wbs you should apply via your home department’s usual process, which usually takes place via eVision. Note that you do not require the module leader’s permission to study a WBS module, so please do not contact them to request it.
Module aims
The course covers the intersection of finance and technology. Its main aim is to provide a sound foundation across the spectrum of financial concepts driving innovations of the principal intermediation functions (money, payments, capital raising, market aggregation, price discovery, mass distribution) with examples of business models and products (neobanks, robo-advisors, crypto exchanges etc). It will facilitate better understanding of the value propositions, best practices, regulation and technology encountered in fintech start-ups and help structure thinking about new business and partnership opportunities from traditional financial institutional and venture funding perspective.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Introduction to FinTech
- Blockchain and basics of cryptography
- Bitcoin and other digital currencies
- Crypto assets and blockchain applications
- Central bank digital currencies
- Fundamentals of artificial intelligence
- Market place lending
- Quantitative trading, machine learning in trading
- Regulatory landscape of FinTech
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand how Fintech can transform financial services
- Differentiate traditional assets and crypto-assets
- Manage innovation in retail and B2B markets
- Understand the role of Fintech in retail and B2B market
- Apply the Fintech concepts introduced in this module in new start-ups
- Integrate traditional financial services with Fintech
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
Work with Fintech data and algorithms.
Understand the technology (e.g., Blockchain) within Fintech start-ups.
See the link between the value chains and wider financial networks.
Transferable skills
Develop written and verbal communication and numeracy skills in the formal assessment for the module.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Online learning (independent) | 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 48 hours (32%) |
| Assessment | 73 hours (49%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private study.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group D3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | 8 hours | No |
| Centrally-timetabled examination (On-campus) | 90% | 65 hours | No |
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Exam
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Assessment group R3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Examination | 100% | No | |
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Exam ~Platforms - AEP
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback provided via my.wbs.
Pre-requisites
To take this module, you must have passed:
There is currently no information about the courses for which this module is core or optional.