MSc in Digital Financial Technology

Asian Institute of Digital Finance, NUS School of Computing and NUS Business School

OVERVIEW

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science in Digital Financial Technology (MSc DFinTech) is jointly offered by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF), 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 modules 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 2021

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)	Nov of year preceding the intake year to 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 native tongue and 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 650, 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.

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

Note: International applicants must be accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore to apply for a Student’s Pass. Part-time courses and courses conducted in the evening or on weekends are not eligible. For more information, refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The NUS MSc in DFinTech is a 52-modular credit (MC) coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising:

Core/essential modules (28 MCs),
Elective modules (12 MCs), and
Capstone project (12 MCs).

Core/Essential Modules

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

View Modules

Module Code	Module Title	MCs
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
BMF5321	Financial Modelling	4
*BMF5322D	Introduction of Finance	4
*IT5001	Software Development Fundamentals	4
*IT5003	Data Structures and Algorithms	4
* Students who have completed one or more module(s) similar to BMF5322D, 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 Modules

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

View Modules

Vertical 1: Computing Technologies
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
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
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
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
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
IS5006	Intelligence Systems Deployment	4
IS5126	Hands-on with Applied Analytics	4
IS5152	Data-Driven Decision Making	4
Vertical 3: Digital Financial Transactions and Risk Management
Module Code	Module Title	MCs
BMF5333	Options and Fixed Income	4
BMF5342	Technological Disruptions in Finance and Data Analytics	4
BMF5346	Venture Capital and Private Equity	4
BMF5353	Applied Investment Strategies	4
BMF5355	Financial Institutions, Markets, Systems and Technology	4
BMF5356	Applied Financial Risk Management	4
BT4013	Analytics for Capital Market Trading and Investment	4
BT4016	Risk Analytics for Financial Services	4
CS5233	Simulation and Modelling Techniques	4

Capstone Project

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

View Modules

Module Code	Module Title	MCs
FT5007	FinTech Capstone Project	12

Note: For more information about the modules listed above (as well as other modules 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 MCs, comprising: 28 MCs of core/essential modules 12 MCs of elective modules 12 MCs of capstone project
Module and/or Graduate Certificate	Not applicable
Cumulative Average Point (CAP)	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. The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.

Tuition	S$58,000 (excluding GST) Note: The tuition fee stated above is for 52 MCs. Students who are required to take more than 52 MCs for programme completion are subject to supplementary tuition fees.
Financial Assistance	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 For more about loans and other financial assistance, please refer to the NUS Office of Admissions.
Acceptance	S$50 (including GST) 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 (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 Webinar(s):

Fri, 19 Nov 2021,
8.30pm–9.30pm (SGT):
MSc in Digital Financial Technology Info Session

Next Intake:
AUG 2022

Application Period:
1 Nov 2021–31 Jan 2022

Coming soon!

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

• FinTech in Singapore: Leveraging on Disruption for a Better Tomorrow

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 modules, 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, please email us at pgc@nus.edu.sg.