OVERVIEW

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science in Digital Financial Technology (MSc DFinTech) is jointly offered by the NUS School of Computing and NUS Business School.

Financial technology (abbreviated as FinTech) refers to a broad spectrum of technologies and innovations that are being used to improve and automate the delivery of financial services. The FinTech industry has grown explosively in the last decade, with the advances being made in cloud computing, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).

To meet surging demand for high quality FinTech talent in Singapore and globally, this new flagship graduate programme in FinTech is designed to help students build a strong foundation in computing and finance, and features a range of elective courses organised along three tracks: Computing Technologies, Financial Data Analytics and Intelligence, and Digital Financial Transactions and Risk Management.

The programme is intended primarily to help prepare graduates for challenging but rewarding careers as AI software developers, data scientists, FinTech security specialists, financial quantitative analysts and other similar professions in financial institutions or FinTech firms.

Why This Programme?

  • Build a solid foundation in FinTech with a programme backed by NUS School of Computing and the NUS Business School, both of which are ranked among the best schools in their subject areas1.

  • Optimise learning with a customisable curriculum; choose electives according to one of three tracks or based on personalised needs, and decide which capstone project option is a better fit—an academic research project conducted under the supervision of our accomplished faculty, or an internship with a FinTech company to gain practical industry experience.

  • Prepare for a career in the fast-growing FinTech sector such as a Blockchain Developer, Financial Analyst or FinTech Product Specialist.

1 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Application Period
An Academic Year (AY) at NUS consists of two semesters and a special term (which occurs during the Semester 2 Vacation, and is divided into two parts of six weeks duration each):

  • Semester 1: Aug–Dec
  • Semester 2: Jan–May
  • Special Term (Part 1): May–Jun
  • Special Term (Part 2): Jun–Jul

For the MSc in DFinTech programme, there is one application period for each AY:

Programme Intake Application Dates
MSc in DFinTech Semester 1
(Aug Intake)
1 Nov of year preceding the intake year to 31 Jan of the intake year

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the NUS MSc in DFinTech programme is granted on a competitive basis as places in the programme are limited. Applicants should possess the following minimum requirements:

Academic 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computing, or
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline (such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Finance, Economics or Business)

Note: Candidates with academic qualifications other than the above may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the department

Skill/Experience

Python programming knowledge and/or learning in advanced quantitative subjects

For holders of Bachelor’s Degrees in related disciplines (see above), two years of Fintech or information technology (IT) industry experience

English Language
Applicants whose medium of university instruction is not completely in English:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score of 90 (Internet-based), or
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum Academic score 6.0

Note: TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application.

Other

International applicants*:

  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) minimum scores of 320 (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning) and 3.5 (Analytical Writing), or
  • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) minimum score of 700, or
  • Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) scores for graduates from Indian universities.

* GRE/GMAT/GATE preferred, but not required.

Candidates may be required to sit for other tests as prescribed by the School.

Note: GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date and should not have expired at point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application.


Note: Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application information and all supporting documents are truthful and correct. NUS reserves the right to verify information provided as part of an application. False or misleading information in an application (including but not limited to test scores, resumes, certificates, transcripts, etc.) is grounds for admission rejection, revocation and/or dismissal from the University.

MODE OF STUDY AND PROGRAMME CANDIDATURE

The NUS MSc in DFinTech programme is offered on the following basis (with estimated time to complete the programme indicated below):

 Full-time  18 months 
 Part-time  30 months 

Note: International applicants must be accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore to apply for a Student’s Pass. For more information, refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The NUS MSc in DFinTech is a 52-Unit coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising:

  • Core/essential courses (28 Units), 
  • Elective courses (12 Units), and
  • Capstone project (12 Units).

Core/Essential Courses

Students must complete 28 Units (16 Units focused on computing and finance, and 12 Units on FinTech), comprising courses from the following list.

View Courses

Course Code Course Title Units
FT5001 Fintech Innovations for Consumers 2
FT5002
Digital Transformation at Financial Institutions
2
FT5003
Blockchain Innovations
2
FT5004
Programming for Blockchain Applications
2
FT5005
Machine Learning for Finance
4
*BMD5301
Introduction to Finance for FinTech Professionals
4
BMD5302 Financial Modelling for FinTech Professionals
4
*IT5001
Software Development Fundamentals
4
*IT5003  Data Structures and Algorithms
4

* Students who have completed one or more course(s) similar to BMD5301, IT5001 and/or IT5003 can submit a request to the School of Computing and (subject to the School’s approval) take the following as replacement:

  • IT5004 Enterprise Systems Architecture Fundamentals,
  • IT5005 Artificial Intelligence, or
  • IT5006 Fundamentals of Data Analytics
Elective Courses

Students are strongly encouraged (but not required) to take their 12 Units of elective courses from one vertical track, as described in the following list.

View Courses

Vertical 1: Computing Technologies
Course Code Course Title Units
CS5224 Cloud Computing 4
CS5231
Systems Security
4
CS5321
Network Security
4
CS5331
Web Security
4
CS5421
Database Applications Design and Tuning
4
CS5439  Software Security  4
FT5008 Contemporary Topics in Blockchain Applications 2
IS4234
Compliance and Regulation Technology
4
IS5008
Technology Risk and Cyber Resilience 4
IS5009
Topics in Financial Technology Solutions
4
Vertical 2: Financial Data Analytics and Intelligence
Course Code Course Title Units
CS5242 Neural Networks and Deep Learning 4
CS5246 Text Processing on the Web 4
CS5339 Theory and Algorithms for Machine Learning  4
CS5344 Big-Data Analytics Technology 4
CS5446
AI Planning and Decision Making
4
FT5009 Contemporary Topics in Financial Data Analytics 2
IS5006
Human-Centred Intelligent Systems
4
IS5126  Hands-on with Applied Analytics
4
IS5152
Data-Driven Decision Making
4
Vertical 3: Digital Financial Transactions and Risk Management
Course Code Course Title Units
BMF5342 Technological Disruptions in Finance and Data Analytics 4
BMF5346 Venture Capital and Private Equity 4
BMF5353 Applied Investment Strategies 4
BMF5354 Financial Regulation in a Digital Age 4
BMF5355 Financial Institutions, Markets, Systems and Technology 4
BMF5358 Entrepreneurship in Financial Technology 4
BT4013 Analytics for Capital Market Trading and Investment 4
BT4016 Risk Analytics for Financial Services 4
CS5233 Simulation and Modelling Techniques 4
FE5103 Equity Products and Exotics  4
FE5224 Current Topics in Applied Risk Management  2
FE5227 Commodities Fundamentals and Modelling  2

Capstone Project

Students can choose to do either an academic research project or a FinTech internship for the two-semester capstone project.

View Courses

Course Code Course Title Units
FT5007 FinTech Capstone Project 12

Note: For more information about the courses listed above (as well as other courses offered in the current academic year), please visit NUSMODS.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from the NUS MSc in DFinTech programme, students must meet the following requirements:

Programme and/or Specialisation

Read and pass a total of 52 Units, comprising:

  • 28 Units of core/essential courses
  • 12 Units of elective courses
  • 12 Units of capstone project
Course and/or Qualification

Not applicable

Grade Point Average (GPA) 

Minimum 3.0 (out of maximum 5.0)

Please see also the University’s minimum standards for Continuation and Graduation Requirements specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements.

Other 

Not applicable


FEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Kindly note that all fees for the NUS MSc in DFinTech programme quoted on this page are exclusive of prevailing GST, unless otherwise stated (GST rate will be increased from 8% to 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024). The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.

Tuition

S$61,000.00 (excluding GST) /
S$66,490.00 (including 9% GST)

Note: The tuition fee stated above is for 52 Units. Students who are required to take more than 52 Units for programme completion are subject to supplementary tuition fees.

Financial Assistance

Starting AY2023/2024, tuition fee rebates will be provided for this programme as an NUS Master's Degree by Coursework programme not subsidised by the government:
• All Singaporeans and Singapore PRs (non-NUS alumni) will receive a 10% tuition fee rebate
• All NUS alumni will receive a 15% tuition fee rebate

Students in this programme have in the past been eligible for, or received funding support from:

Singapore Digital (SG:D) Scholarship (Postgraduate) (Singapore Citizens only) — An industry scholarship offered by the Infocomm Media Development Authority that empowers individuals interested in pursuing Infocomm Media-related studies at the Master's or PhD level

• School of Computing (SoC) Tuition Fee Subsidy (Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents only) — Candidates who are successfully admitted into the programme may be provided with the SoC Tuition Fee Subsidy. Applicants do not need to apply for the Tuition Fee Subsidy as eligible candidates will be notified in the admission offer.

For more about loans and other financial assistance, please refer to the NUS Office of Admissions.

Application

S$108.00 (including 8% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2023);
S$109.00 (including 9% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2024)

  • Non-refundable and non-transferable
  • Limited to one application submission per intake, for up to a maximum of five programmes/courses per application
Acceptance

S$5,000.00 (excluding GST)

  • Payable upon acceptance of offer
  • Non-refundable and non-transferable
  • Will be credited towards tuition fees
Miscellaneous Student Fees

As published by NUS Registrar’s Office

  • Payable every regular semester

Programme at a Glance*

Upcoming Event(s):

Watch this space for updates!

Next Intake:
Application Period:
To be announced

Updating soon!

* For full details, please refer to main write-up.

For enquiries, contact us.

Video
Livestream 14

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on the links below for more information:

Is two years of relevant work experience an admission requirement?

Fresh graduates are welcome to apply for this programme. If you do not possess an Honours and/or a four-year Bachelor Degree, work experience in the field of financial technology (FinTech), artificial intelligence (AI) or data analytics would be advantageous but is not strictly required.

Applications will be assessed holistically, with consideration given to academic performance, professional certifications, relevant work/internship experience, company endorsement and co-curricular activities.

Is programming knowledge needed?

Since a large proportion of the MSc in Digital Financial Technology programme curriculum involves programming, non-computing students must provide sufficient evidence of Python programming knowledge and/or evidence of learning advanced quantitative subjects. This can be in the form of completed courses, online courses and/or professional certifications. However, exceptional applicants who do not meet the above requirements may still be considered.

What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)/result required?

There is no minimum GPA stipulated as part of the admission requirements. However, as this is a highly competitive programme with limited seats, it would be advantageous to have a good GPA (i.e. a score of 80% and above).

Is the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)/Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) mandatory?

As evidence of academic ability and readiness for graduate study, international applicants are encouraged to submit GRE/GMAT test scores (for GRE, minimum scores for Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning of 320 and Analytical Writing of 3.5, and for GMAT, minimum score of 650).

Applications submitted without GRE/GMAT test scores will be reviewed holistically, with consideration given to academic performance, professional certifications, relevant work/internship experience, company endorsement and co-curricular activities.

Will applicants need to attend interviews?

This will assessed on a case-by-case basis, but in general applicants are unlikely to be required to attend interviews.

However, in the Personal Statement section of the online application, applicants are required to describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the programme, preparation for the field of study, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests that may help in the evaluation of your aptitude and motivation for graduate studies.


For enquiries, contact us.

We will guide you through the next steps of your transformative journey.

 
05 June 2023