MSc Digital Banking and Finance
This Chartered Banker Institute fully accredited Masters course gives you the knowledge and analytical skills you’ll need for a successful career in banking and finance in an increasingly digital world.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2023, January 2024, September 2024
- Application notes For students who need a visa: we are closed for September 2023 entry. Applications for September 2024 entry will open in September 2023.
- Duration MSc full-time: 12 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
Accreditations
Chartered Banker Institute
Overview
Our MSc Digital Banking and Finance course is suitable for everyone, whether you already have related qualifications or experience, or want to change the direction of your career. The course is fully accredited by the Chartered Banker Institute, the oldest and largest UK professional body for bankers, making our course one of very few UK courses in banking and finance to offer this level of recognition.
As the world moves away from physical cash, replaced by cryptocurrencies, and physical banking is replaced by online banking and finance, our course focuses upon how technology and digital infrastructure is changing the way banks do business. You will learn how FinTech is changing bank management and finance, and how cryptocurrencies will change the way banking and finance operates.
You will acquire the analytical skills and the critical knowledge in this changing environment which will enable you to further your career in the new digital banking and financial sector. The course offers you practical business-led knowledge and you can expect to see leading banking and finance experts from the sector in the classroom offering you the most contemporary industry thinking.
Student Managed Investment Fund
Our students have established a Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) with support of our academics within the Accounting and Finance Division. The SMIF allows you to gain practical
Amplify Trading Boot Camp
The course also includes an innovative week-long global financial trading and training boot camp run by our partner Amplify. The Amplify Trading Boot Camp won the CFA Institute Innovative Delivery of Education (IDEA) global award and gives you the chance to trade futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. By letting you trade in real time, but with virtual money, the boot camp bridges the gap between an academic understanding of financial markets and how they function in practice.
Preparing business leaders of the future
Postgraduate education at the University of Stirling Management School goes beyond text books and lecture rooms, we also focus on your personal and professional development.
Our unique Flying Start Leadership Programme equips you with the awareness, knowledge and techniques essential for building a successful career. These range from practical skills, like effective public speaking, to developing ways to work under pressure in difficult situations such as conflict management. Read more about the Flying Start Leadership Programme.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
The overall objective of this course is to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in banking and finance, or a related field. A particular strength of our course is the focus on the practical application of key banking and finance concepts, financial reporting, risk management tools, and professional ethics in the banking industry. The structure of our course has, at its core, a collection of modules that examine various aspects and challenges of banking operations and management in the context of the new technologies (digital banking, online currencies, FinTech, data analytics, etc.) that are re-shaping the banking and finance landscape.
You’ll develop a sound understanding of the different types of banking and financial systems that exist globally, including those in emerging countries and countries in transition. The course also covers theory, methodology and research techniques within the dissertation module.
Throughout this Masters course, you’ll develop:
- A systematic understanding of key concepts and methods in banking and finance, such as operations and strategy, risk management tools and the regulatory framework for risk management, financial reporting and data analysis.
- Critical awareness of current problems and new insights in banking and finance.
- Practical understanding of the techniques of enquiry and research used in banking and finance, and how they are used to create and interpret knowledge.
- Conceptual understanding for evaluating current research and scholarship in banking and finance.
Professional accreditation
The Chartered Banker Institute recognises the relevance and quality of the course and entitles our graduates to use the professional designation ‘Chartered Banker’ and the membership designation MCBI (subject to the ongoing membership requirements of the CBI).
Research overview
In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent.
The Economics Division at Stirling Management School is committed to the pursuit of excellence in both research and teaching. The Division is ranked in the top 10% of institutions in the UK and Europe by RePEc (Research Papers in Economics).
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass overall with minimum 25 in each sub-skill
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Our Masters in Digital Banking and Finance is a full-time one-year course taught across three semesters that gives you the knowledge and analytical skills you’ll need for a successful career in the world of banking and finance. The structure of our course has at its core a collection of modules that examine various aspects and challenges of banking operations and management in the context of the new technologies (digital banking, online currencies, FinTech, data analytics, etc.) that are re-shaping the banking and finance landscape.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
Teaching is carried out through lectures and small group teaching, seminars, workshops and computer labs.
Our lecturers have global reputations for advancing knowledge in the fields of banking and finance, and the course incorporates current developments. We encourage our students to explore contemporary challenges in seminars and workshops. Students will have access to and engage with labs, practical workshops, live markets via the Student Managed Investment Fund and the Amplify Trading Boot camp, and learn from contemporary banking and finance analysts.
Assessment
Assessment includes coursework, presentations and exams. You’ll undertake a dissertation project in the third semester. Your dissertation will be based on an original research question agreed by yourself and your supervisor. The dissertation project should reflect your own understanding and knowledge of selected topics covered in the taught modules.
Classroom hours
Students can expect to have around forty contact hours per module each semester and a timetable will be available shortly before the course begins.
Course director
Key staff
Dr Kevin Campbell
Dr Theo Diasakos
Dr Maria Grydaki
Professor Kevin Grant
Professor Rob Webb
Ask an expert
Hear from Dr Kevin Campbell who researches primarily in the fields of corporate finance and corporate governance.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK | £9,850 | £10,350 |
| Students from the Republic of Ireland | £9,850 | £10,350 |
| Overseas (non-EU) students | £21,345 | £21,845 |
| European Union students | £21,345 | £21,845 |
Students from the UK
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
EU Postgraduate Scholarship
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Postgraduate Scholarship, which provides a 40% fee discount on full-time, on-campus postgraduate degrees at the University of Stirling.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our MSc Digital Banking and Finance graduates have enjoyed worldwide success within different organisations, ranging from multinational banks to asset management companies. 94.3% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, HESA). Taking our course you'll benefit from an innovative week-long global financial trading and training boot camp run by Amplify Trading.
Our graduates work in countries such as China, Germany, Greece, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Norway, Turkey, Malta and the UK.
In addition to working for banks and financial services organisations, our graduates have found opportunities at specialist property companies, government agencies and other organisations that must deal with banks daily. Our graduates work for many different financial organisations, including:
- Alpha Bank
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Bank of China
- BDO UK LLP
- Citibank
- CITIC Trust
- DXC Technology
- Emporiki Asset Management
- Ernst and Young
- Grant Thornton UK LLP
- HSBC
- Jones Lang LaSalle
- JP Morgan Chase
- Ministry of Finance (Greece)
- Morgan Stanley
- Santander
- Vodafone
Alumni who have built their careers after graduating more than 10 years ago now hold posts such as the regional head of Novartis in Switzerland, credit partner at Santander Corporate Banking and head of banking trends at Egnatia Bank in Greece.
HigherEd Global Talent Portal
As a Management School student, you'll have access to the HigherEd Global Talent Portal where you’ll find internship, trainee positions, apprenticeships and graduate positions from companies around the world. It’s targeted towards both international students looking for placements back at home and local students that want to explore an international experience.
This global talent portal comes as an addition to all other existing initiatives and resources you have access to at Stirling through the Careers and Employability Service, and the Target Connect vacancy and events system.
Testimonial quotes
This is a challenging and worthwhile course which will be ideal preparation for students wishing to work in the Banking and Financial sector.
Professor David Blanchflower, CBE, External member of the Bank of England's MPC 2006-09
Employability skills
Everything you do while studying here is designed to help you build the personal skills that will make you stand out to future employers.
You'll start your MSc course on our Flying Start leadership programme which will challenge your perspective of culture and develop your self-awareness, as well as team-working, problem-solving and presentation skills.
Find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.
Companies we work with
As a student on the MSc Digital Banking and Finance you’re given the chance to participate in regular guest lectures. These are typically held on a Wednesday afternoon and are delivered by eminent speakers drawn from leading financial institutions, think tanks, regulatory and professional bodies. Previous speakers include:
- Kweku Adoboli - Former Trader at UBS
- Dr. Dimosthenis Archontidis – General Manager, Eurobank Ergasias SA
- Nick Bartlett - Director of Education at CFA Society of the UK
- Richard Dunbar - Head of Economic and Thematic Research at Aberdeen Asset Management
- John Goodwin - Executive Vice-President and CFO at Lego
- Ross Lorrimer - Client Service Associate at State Street
- Bill McCall – (Chartered Banker, FCIBS, Chartered FCSI) Principal, McCall & Partners Ltd.
- Colin McLean - CEO at SVM Asset Management
- Russell Napier - Co-founder and Chairman of ERIC (Electronic Research Interchange)
- Maxim Skorniakov - Investment Manager at Walter Scott Global Investment Management
- Dr. Theodoros Stamatiou - Senior Economist, Economic Analysis and Market Research Division, Eurobank-Ergasias SA
- Adrian Cudby - (MBA, Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers), Commercial banker with over 34 years working experience at RBS; Principal and Founder of That Was The River Ltd, a financial training and consulting company; author of the CBI textbook “Commercial Lending (Principles and Practice)”
- Dr. Daniel Schmidt - Research and teaching assistant at the Chair in Banking and Financial Services at the University of Hohenheim in Germany; visiting Lecturer at the Chair of Banking and Finance at the University of Potsdam
- Dr. Dimitris Gounopoulos - Professor of Accounting and Finance in the Accounting and Finance Group of the School of Management at the University of Bath; Senior Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Business, Management and Economics of the University of Sussex; visiting Fellow in the Newcastle University Business School
What our students said
China
MSc Digital Banking and Finance
Read Huifeng's storyThe courses involved a lot of practical experience which allowed me to build in the theory I learnt, for example, the Trading and Financial Market Analysis training week that we participated in.
China
MSc Banking and Finance
Read Shengwei's storyDuring my studies here I have improved my academic knowledge, my English language skills and made new friends.
Vietnam
MSc Banking and Finance
Read Le's storyI think the University of Stirling Management School is a great place to study Banking and Finance.