Singapore has seen a speedy proliferation of fintech grasp’s applications, pushed by its place as a world monetary hub and a fintech powerhouse.
On the finish of 2022, Singapore was house to 1,580 fintech corporations, up 52.5% from 1,036 in 2018, in accordance with UOB’s Fintech in ASEAN report. On the time, this was the best quantity in Southeast Asia, underscoring Singapore’s management in fintech innovation.
Nonetheless, Singapore can also be going through a serious expertise scarcity. For over a decade, ManpowerGroup has been monitoring expertise shortages worldwide, together with in Singapore, the place it discovered that the proportion of organizations struggling to search out and rent expert professionals has surged from simply 10% in 2014 to a staggering 79% in 2024.
The Financials and Actual Property sector presently faces probably the most extreme scarcity, with 88% of corporations reporting hiring difficulties. The Data Know-how sector additionally ranks excessive, with a 78% expertise hole.IT and data-related expertise had been discovered to be probably the most difficult to rent for in Singapore.
To deal with this rising demand, universities have launched specialised fintech grasp’s applications to equip college students and professionals with experience in blockchain, synthetic intelligence (AI), digital banking, and monetary analytics, amongst key matters.
In the present day, we take a look at six of town state’s prime fintech grasp’s applications. These applications mix technical coaching with real-world functions, guaranteeing that graduates are well-prepared for careers within the evolving fintech panorama.
Grasp of Science in Digital Monetary Know-how (MSc DFintech) on the Nationwide College of Singapore (NUS)
The MSc DFintech, provided by the NUS College of Computing, goals to assist college students construct a robust basis in computing and finance. It’s supposed primarily to assist put together graduates for difficult however rewarding careers as AI, software program builders, knowledge scientists, fintech safety specialists, monetary quantitative analysts and different related professions in monetary establishments or fintech companies.
This system is offered for each full-time (18 months) and part-time examine (30 months), and requires college students to finish 52 models, which embody 28 models of core programs, 12 models of elective programs, and a 12-unit capstone undertaking.
Core programs cowl topics equivalent to fintech innovation for customers, blockchain, and machine studying (ML) for finance, whereas electives permit college students to concentrate on one of many following three tracks: Computing Applied sciences, Monetary Information Analytics and Intelligence, and Digital Monetary Transactions and Threat Administration. Lastly, the capstone undertaking can both be an educational analysis undertaking or an internship with a fintech firm.To earn the diploma, college students should keep a minimal Grade Level Common (GPA) of three.0 out of 5.0 and full the required models.
This program is offered to college students with a Bachelor’s diploma in Computing or a associated self-discipline, together with STEM, finance, economics, or enterprise. Candidates also needs to have data of Python programming and superior quantitative topics. These with a associated diploma are anticipated to have at the least two years of fintech or IT {industry} expertise.
If the applicant’s college instruction was not in English, a TOEFL rating of at the least 90 or an IELTS rating of 6.0 is required. Moreover, worldwide candidates could must submit GRE, GMAT, or GATE scores.
The tutoring payment for this system is S$64,800 (excluding items and providers tax (GST)), with an utility payment of S$109 and an acceptance payment of S$5,000, which is credited towards tuition.
Grasp of Science in Monetary Engineering (MFE) at NUS
The MFE is a graduate diploma program provided by the Threat Administration Institute (RMI) at NUS. Launched in 1999 by the Centre for Monetary Engineering at NUS, the predecessor to RMI, the MFE is a multi-disciplinary program that mixes finance, arithmetic and computing with a sensible orientation to resolve issues in finance.
This system focuses on monetary modeling, threat administration, and computational proficiency: expertise which might be extremely wanted however not sometimes present in graduates of conventional Grasp of Enterprise Administration (MBA) or quantitative or quantitative diploma applications. It’s designed for finance and banking professionals, in addition to contemporary graduates seeking to develop experience in monetary expertise and innovation.
This system consists of 40 coursework models, together with core programs in derivatives, threat evaluation, stochastic calculus, and monetary econometrics, in addition to electives protecting matters like portfolio idea, sustainable finance, machine studying, and fintech.
Sure programs are co-taught by senior bankers and {industry} leaders, and college students even have the chance to take intensive one-week elective programs at prestigious establishments such because the College of Oxford, Princeton College, and the College of Waterloo.
The MFE is offered in each full-time and part-time codecs, with the choice for distance studying, although all college students should attend the primary semester in particular person in Singapore. College students should keep a minimal GPA of three.0 out of 5.0 to graduate. Upon commencement, they will pursue careers in business and funding banking, securities companies, company finance, insurance coverage, consulting, funding advisory, accounting, authorities monetary businesses, hedge funds, pension funds, and monetary expertise corporations.
Admission to the MFE is aggressive, requiring a four-year bachelor’s or honors diploma. Related work expertise is advantageous, and worldwide candidates should meet English language proficiency necessities.The tutoring payment is S$64,000, inclusive of GST, with extra utility and acceptance charges.
Grasp of Science in Monetary Know-how (MSc in Fintech) on the Nanyang Technological College (NTU)
The MSc in Fintech at NTU is designed to equip college students with the abilities wanted to navigate the evolving finance panorama utilizing knowledge science, AI, and superior digital applied sciences. This system goals to handle the rising demand for professionals able to leveraging fintech improvements equivalent to monetary automation, blockchain, and digital monetary providers.
The MSc in Fintech is an intensive one-year full-time or two-year part-time program by coursework taught in three trimesters per educational yr. This system consists of a complete of 30 Educational Items (AU), with 12 AU of obligatory programs, 12 AU from the chosen specializations electives, and 6 AU from different electives.
Obligatory programs cowl matters like statistical modeling, fintech improvements, Python programming, ML in finance, and threat administration.
Candidates should select one of many two specializations:
The Clever Course of Automation (IPA) specialization is designed for college kids within the technical points of fintech. Candidates choosing this specialization ought to have a very good bachelor’s diploma in a quantitative main or a very good observe file in arithmetic and programming.The Digital Monetary Providers (DFS) specialization is designed for college kids within the managerial points of fintech. Candidates choosing this specialization ought to have a very good bachelor’s diploma in a related program, equivalent to quantitative majors or enterprise, or related working expertise within the finance {industry}.
Specialization-specific programs embody topics equivalent to blockchain programs, algorithmic buying and selling, monetary crime compliance, and monetary inclusion.
To graduate, college students should full all required programs and keep a minimal cumulative GPA of two.50.Candidates will need to have a related Bachelor’s diploma, equivalent to in quantitative fields, enterprise, or engineering, and exhibit proficiency in English.
Tuition charges for this system are S$63,220 for the tutorial yr 2025/2026, with a deposit payment of S$5,450.
Grasp of IT in Enterprise on the Singapore Administration College (SMU)
The Grasp of IT in Enterprise (MITB) program at SMU is designed to equip professionals with the abilities to navigate the growing demand for technology-driven management in enterprise. It goals to arrange college students to guide decisively in fields equivalent to knowledge analytics, technological platforms and enterprise methods.
The MITB program affords 4 specialised tracks, amongst which the Monetary Know-how and Analytics (FTA) observe. This observe focuses on the digitalization of the monetary sector, making ready college students to work with applied sciences like blockchain, AI, and analytics to drive innovation in monetary providers. The electives on this observe cowl matters equivalent to digital banking, digital funds, risktech and regtech, in addition to central financial institution digital currencies (CBDCs).
Class periods are three hours lengthy, and are carried out in a extremely interactive, seminar-styled method. These periods mix lectures with discussions, hands-on lab periods, problem-solving follow lessons, and group work. By this pedagogy, college students have the chance to work together intently with school, full-time skilled hires (instructors) and pupil educating assistants.
College students additionally get to take part in internships or capstone initiatives, permitting them to realize hands-on expertise. The internship allows college students to use their studying in an expert atmosphere, whereas the capstone undertaking supplies a possibility to conduct in-depth analysis on a enterprise downside or alternative.
All lessons are held both on weekday evenings, Saturday mornings, or Saturday afternoons. These timings have been chosen to accommodate the schedules of part-time college students who’re working, and full-time college students who is likely to be engaged with {industry} attachments.
The MITB program spans 12 to 24 months, with intakes in August and January. It’s open to candidates with a GMAT, GRE, or SMU Admissions Check rating, and the tutoring payment is S$54,500, together with GST.
College students should full and go a complete of 15 Course Items (CUs) with a minimal cumulative GPA of two.5 to graduate with the MITB diploma.
The MITB program claims excessive employability, with 9 out of ten graduates securing employment inside six months. The curriculum is often up to date to replicate present IT tendencies and applied sciences, and college students profit from studying from world-class school and {industry} practitioners.
Grasp of Science in Utilized Finance on the SMU
The Grasp of Science in Utilized Finance (MAF) at SMU is designed to supply college students with a strong basis within the ideas, practices and operations of worldwide and home monetary markets. This system goals to equip college students with the flexibility to use present monetary data in real-world conditions, aided by internship alternatives with over 3,000 corporations worldwide. It’s ranked third within the Monetary Instances’ Masters in Finance post-experience 2022 rating.
The MAF program includes 9 core modules protecting matters equivalent to fairness evaluation, portfolio administration, superior quantitative strategies, company finance, and monetary assertion evaluation.
College students get to select from three tracks: Fintech, Fund Administration, and Actual Property. They’ll choose to do any 4 elective modules accessible or select to concentrate on a observe by finishing 4 elective modules provided in the identical observe.
Modules within the Fintech observe embody monetary knowledge science, ML and monetary utility, quantitative buying and selling methods, fintech for finance, and monetary analytics and innovation.
College students additionally get to learn from the expertise and experience of eminent school members with PhDs from top-ranked universities all over the world. Additionally they achieve priceless profession insights from thought leaders with deep {industry} expertise and community and share their ardour for studying.
To finish the MAF program, college students are required to finish 15 CUs, which embody core and elective modules, an open module (equivalent to an internship or capstone undertaking), and an expert improvement course.The MAF curriculum is industry-relevant and aligned with the Chartered Monetary Analyst (CFA) Institute and Chartered Different Funding Analyst (CAIA) Affiliation, making it a great preparation for these in search of CFA or CAIA designations.
It’s designed for flexibility and is offered in each full-time (12 months + internship) and part-time (24 months) modes of examine. This system is open to candidates with a bachelor’s diploma, and candidates are required to submit GMAT, GRE, or SMU Admissions Check scores. Non-native English audio system should additionally present TOEFL or IELTS scores. Contemporary graduates are welcome to use.
The tutoring payment is S$59,950, inclusive of GST.
Grasp of Science in Monetary Know-how on the London College of Enterprise and Finance (LSBF) Singapore Campus
The Grasp of Science in Monetary Know-how on the LSBF Singapore Campus combines cutting-edge expertise with monetary experience to equip college students with the abilities required to navigate the evolving monetary panorama. By a mix of theoretical data and sensible functions, this system goals to supply college students with insights into rising applied sciences, monetary laws, and enterprise transformation methods.
The MSc in Monetary Know-how is a 12-month fast-track diploma designed for profession development. It’s triple-accredited and ranked among the many prime 20% globally within the Instances Larger Schooling Younger College Rankings 2023. Upon completion, the diploma is awarded by Manchester Metropolitan College.
This system affords a dynamic curriculum that bridges finance and expertise, empowering college students to handle up to date challenges within the monetary sector. Key modules, equivalent to Improvements in Know-how, Enterprise Mannequin Innovation and Fintech, and Threat Administration for Monetary Establishments, present a deep understanding of monetary applied sciences and their influence on enterprise fashions and threat administration.
Graduates get to develop sensible experience in fundamentals of programming, digital management transformation, and monetary technique, whereas honing their analysis skills by means of the prolonged analysis proposal and dissertation modules. Studying outcomes embody vital considering, moral consciousness, company social duty, {and professional} competence in fintech.
The MSc in Monetary Know-how is open to candidates with a bachelor’s diploma with a minimal GPA of two.7/4.0 or equal. These with related {qualifications} or vital skilled expertise could also be thought of on a case-by-case foundation. English proficiency necessities embody an total IELTS rating of 6.5 (with no part beneath 5.5) or equal {qualifications}.
The tutoring payment is S$18,203 for native college students and S$22,890 for worldwide college students, inclusive of GST.
