In-depth fintech research and analysis with specialist MSc students
Article written by Ksenia Siedlecka, Financial Services and Fintech Sector Engagement Manager at Edinburgh Innovation
We are currently looking for projects for a variety of MSc programmes with finance and fintech focus (MSc Fintech ”“ Finance, Technology, Policy, MSc Banking and Risk, and MSc Finance, MSc Financial Mathematics). We also have a number of business and data science MSc programmes which are popular with Financial Services and Fintech companies looking to propose projects (e.g. Business Administration, Business Analytics, Statistics). With such a fantastic selection of programmes, we are able to tackle a variety of business challenges. Our students are among the best in their field and combine their specialist subject knowledge and management skills with the refinement offered through our 12-month, intensive programmes. Projects are delivered free of charge and supported by our world-leading academics at The University of Edinburgh. We offer different types of projects and will match you with an individual postgraduate student with the specialised skill set suited to your business challenge and research needs.
Our Business School students can help tackle questions related to corporate strategy, marketing, finance, internationalisation, product development, HR, operations management, change management and many others. The MSc in Finance programme covers all aspects of investment, corporate and energy finance. MSc Accounting and Finance could help with topics on financial reporting and management accounting. MSc Banking & Risk projects could cover such topics as analysis of corporate financial information, credit risk management, econometrics applications and many others. We can consider almost any topic that has a finance, accounting, investment, energy market, banking or risk focus. Successful projects tend to have an empirical element, which has practical relevance. Our students are keen to work with practitioners on projects which will be of real value to them, helping them find solutions to strategic financial issues such as validity forecasting, forecast asset market returns, risk modelling, dynamic lifecycle strategies etc.
MSc Financial Mathematics students will work on a real mathematical finance problem and can utilize specialist techniques such as stochastic analysis, Monte Carlo methods, statistics and optimisation, construction of algorithms and programming skills. Projects often require the design and implementation of computational analysis to a specific area, and can involve the application and implementation of existing mathematical models, or development of new approaches to solution methods. Quantitative modeling, data analytics, financial computing and software development projects can be tackled by our computer science students from MSc Advanced Technology for Financial Computing.
The MSc Finance, Technology and Policy (Fintech) prepares students with technical skills and knowledge of programming, artificial intelligence and machine learning who also understand financial markets and regulations so they are ready to develop technological solutions fit for the financial sector. We are particularly interested in dissertation topics in applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, and portfolio optimisation. Example topics include: building robo-advise algorithms using ML; pattern recognition in big data (including alternative data) using ML; optimal execution strategy with particular emphasis on trading securities in ratio, and many others. Can you help?
If so, we’re looking for companies to submit project ideas by approx. 25 January 2021. In return, you’ll benefit from the insight of one of our high-calibre postgraduate students, including a substantial report featuring extensive research, rigorous analysis and practical conclusions.
To discuss further, contact Ksenia Siedlecka, Financial Services and Fintech Sector Engagement Manager, ksenia.siedlecka@ei.ed.ac.uk
The University of Edinburgh launches a fintech doctoral programme
The University of Edinburgh is launching a new initiative to help companies access talent and develop innovative products and services, a Fintech Doctoral Programme delivered is partnership with companies.
It combines a PhD training structure with a specific focus on topics at the intersection of finance/economics and informatics/technology with a company research project. Each student works on a project commissioned by their sponsoring company partner. Projects need to be of commercial interest to the sponsor and aim to ultimately drive development of new digital solutions and products.
Business partners will set the projects’ topics and will be involved in the candidates’ selection process. Sponsoring companies provide a company supervisor for the project and remain closely involved to ensure delivery of commercially-relevant outcomes. The PhD student is also supervised by 2 academic experts from the University of Edinburgh.
During the first year of the programme the students are based mostly in Edinburgh as they will be undergoing a comprehensive training programme. During the years 2-4 of the programme their time will be divided between the partner company and the University. The exact arrangements would be decided with the company for each project to suit their project requirements. After completion of the programme which lasts 4 years, graduates typically enter employment with their company sponsor. Programme provides a high-quality talent candidates who help their host company deliver new innovative products and services.
The University of Edinburgh is also partnering with the EIT Digital (European Technology Institute) which provides co-funding for the Fintech Doctoral Programme for their member companies. EIT Digital also provides access to innovation funding for companies for commercialisation of fintech products and services which could also be of interest to many companies.
We are currently recruiting projects for the first intake of students. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact ksenia.siedlecka@ei.ed.ac.uk More information: https://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/collaborate/access-research-expertise/fintech-doctoral-programme