FinTech is where cutting-edge technology meets finance (hence the name) and is mostly concerned with four main areas: AI, Blockchain, Cloud Computing and Big Data, which are commonly referred to as ABCD.
In the last decade, FinTech has grown one-hundredfold and doesn't look set to stop. If you're interested in working in FinTech, you're probably also interested in studying a FinTech course or getting a qualification in FinTech.
Let's see why you should and then look at some of the FinTech courses you could study in Australia.
Why You Should Study FinTech in Australia
As with any industry, there are always concerns about its future, especially when an industry is quite young. FinTech is far from mature, but it's also not completely new, either.
Valued at around 200 billion US dollars, the industry still continues to grow, making it an excellent field of study at an undergraduate or graduate level, especially given how well FinTech in Australia is doing.
Beyond the growth of the industry itself, the career prospects in FinTech are excellent and there are a lot of FinTech jobs. Whether you want to work in cyber security, compliance, analysis, AI, app development, or the blockchain, employability is excellent. For example, blockchain development has an estimated 10 job vacancies for every blockchain developer.
FinTech is also exciting. Not only is the industry constantly changing because it's at the forefront of technology, but it's also regularly changing because it's a fairly new industry.
For the time being, it's unlikely that the industry will become boring or stagnant and if you like fresh challenges and an ever-changing landscape, studying FinTech is an interesting option.
Undergraduate FinTech Courses in Australia
Anybody serious about FinTech should consider studying it as soon as they can. While there are options to study finance, economics, business, development, and other related subjects at school, undergraduate degrees are usually the earliest opportunity that most students have to specialise in FinTech.
Here are a few undergraduate courses in FinTech in Australia that we believe would be worth looking into.
University of New South Wales
At the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, undergraduate students can complete a Bachelor of Commerce (Bcom) degree with a major in FinTech.
There's also the option to complete two majors. You could major in FinTech alongside accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, HR, information systems, international business, marketing and taxation.
This school also offers master's degrees in FinTech so if you're planning on continuing your studies after graduation, UNSW could be a good choice.
RMIT
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) is another university with undergraduate options for those interested in FinTech.
While there isn't an out-and-out FinTech bachelor's degree, students do have the option to complete a Bachelor of Business degree with a major in Blockchain Enabled Business, for example. There are also majors available in business information systems and business and technology.
There are also plenty of options for related minors including areas such as financial planning, information systems, digital business, social impact, supply chain analytics, and industrial relations.
The freedom offered at this level means that students can continue studying business without fully committing to FinTech until they're sure that it's right for them.
Postgraduate FinTech Courses in Australia
Even if you didn't complete an undergraduate degree in FinTech, you can still specialise in FinTech and FinTech-related fields through postgraduate study. In fact, a lot of Australia's best FinTech companies will be looking for applicants with advanced degrees.
There are several good universities offering master's degrees and graduate certificates in FinTech subjects.
While postgraduate studies are a good way to move into FinTech, don't forget that some postgraduate courses will require students to have an undergraduate degree in a somewhat related field or extra work for students that don't.
IMC
The Australian National Institute of Management and Commerce (IMC) has several postgraduate courses and short courses in FinTech. Here are a few of their postgraduate options.
Graduate Certificates in Financial Technology Management
Whether you do this course straight after graduation or decide to study it while you're already working, a Graduate Certificate in Financial Technology Management can either be a stepping stone to further postgraduate studies or a way to boost your career prospects with new skills.
They also offer graduate certificates in accounting, business, business analytics, and digital business technologies that might also be worth considering.
Master of Applied Financial Technology and Blockchain
The Master of Applied Financial Technology and Blockchain is designed for students interested in careers in FinTech with blockchain technology.
Like most master's degrees, this course requires a bachelor's degree, a graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a relevant field, or IMC's Postgraduate Preparation Program.
Master of Business Administration (FinTech Management)
IMC also offers the Master of Business Administration (FinTech Management) course that focuses on business management, finance, economics, marketing, organisational behaviour, strategy, and leadership and ethics through financial technologies, the blockchain, and data.
Griffith University
Griffith University in Queensland offers a Master of Financial Technology. It's designed for students with a background in IT or Finance, but can be studied by those with an undergraduate degree in other areas as there are two main pathways.
For students with a background in IT or Finance, the course can be studied in 18 months as the focus will solely be on Finance and Information Technology courses without the need for the foundation course.
Students without these backgrounds will have to complete the foundation component, taking the total course time to 2 years.
Macquarie University
At Macquarie University in Sydney, students completing a Master of Banking and Finance can choose to specialise in FinTech.
The course is taught at the Macquarie Business School and is a great option for anyone interested in financial markets, financial systems, the international financial sector, or mathematics.
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne offers a hybrid Master of Financial Technologies course that combines on-campus and digital learning over 2 or 4 years. There's also an 18-month option for students with the right prior qualifications and experience.
Other FinTech Courses in Australia
If you don't feel like completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or already have them, there are also short courses available at educational institutions that are designed to give people specific skills or an introduction to the world of FinTech.
Here are a few, but there are plenty more out there.
IMC Micro Credential Courses
IMC offers several micro credential courses that last either 2 or 3 weeks and cover some important FinTech concepts.
In these micro credential courses, you can study FinTech and Big Data, FinTech Technologies, or FinTech Security.
The FinTech Boot Camp at the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney's FinTech Boot Camp is an online 24-week course covering what you need to get started in FinTech.
This is a part-time course so you don't need to take time off work to study it and the whole course is project-based, allowing you to learn by doing.
The key areas of the course cover financial fundamentals, machine learning applications in finance, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and financial programming.
Professionals looking to move towards the world of FinTech may find studying a short course a great way to level up or improve their CV.
FinTech Boot Camp Professional Development Short Course
Monash University in Melbourne is one of the best universities in the world and offers a FinTech Boot Camp course for professionals.
This is another online 24-week course with 3 classes a week. It includes topics like programming in Python, machine learning algorithms, Ethereum, and the blockchain.
The goal of the course is to combine marketable skills with key FinTech concepts.
CPA Australia's FinTech Value Pack
CPA (Certified Practising Accountant) Australia has a value pack of ten courses on FinTech. These short courses are only a few hours in total but cover useful FinTech topics like AI, blockchain, data analytics, robotic process automation, and smart contracts.
Getting Help with Your FinTech Studies
Studying FinTech won't always be easy, but don't worry! There are plenty of options for anyone struggling with their studies.
From Your Peers
You can always talk to your classmates, set up study groups, and work together to stay on top of things. Consider holding each other accountable for studying and checking in on one another so that nobody falls behind.
From Your Teachers
Don't forget that teachers and lecturers are also there to help. Don't feel embarrassed to let them know if you don't understand something or need pointing in the right direction.
Get Help Online
If you're reading this, you're already online. There are plenty of great resources on the internet. Reach out to people on social media, look to student forums and communities, or find articles and information on the things that you're studying.
Help is just a few clicks away.
From Private Tutors
Whether you're struggling with your classes or just looking to improve your grades, private tutors are a great option. There are private tutors for all budgets and you can find specialists in FinTech or tutors that can help you to become a better student.
There are plenty of tutors out there so you can always shop around until you find the right one for you!
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