Singapore has seen a fast proliferation of fintech grasp’s packages, 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 keeping 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.
Nevertheless, Singapore can 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 share 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 at present faces essentially 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 abilities had been discovered to be essentially the most difficult to rent for in Singapore.
To deal with this rising demand, universities have launched specialised fintech grasp’s packages to equip college students and professionals with experience in blockchain, synthetic intelligence (AI), digital banking, and monetary analytics, amongst key subjects.
At this time, we take a look at six of town state’s prime fintech grasp’s packages. These packages mix technical coaching with real-world purposes, making certain 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, supplied by the NUS College of Computing, goals to assist college students construct a robust basis in computing and finance. It’s meant primarily to assist put together graduates for difficult however rewarding careers as AI, software program builders, information scientists, fintech safety specialists, monetary quantitative analysts and different comparable professions in monetary establishments or fintech corporations.
This system is out there for each full-time (18 months) and part-time research (30 months), and requires college students to finish 52 items, which embrace 28 items of core programs, 12 items of elective programs, and a 12-unit capstone mission.
Core programs cowl topics reminiscent of 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 Knowledge Analytics and Intelligence, and Digital Monetary Transactions and Danger Administration. Lastly, the capstone mission can both be an educational analysis mission or an internship with a fintech firm.To earn the diploma, college students should preserve a minimal Grade Level Common (GPA) of three.0 out of 5.0 and full the required items.
This program is out there 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 information of Python programming and superior quantitative topics. These with a associated diploma are anticipated to have a minimum of two years of fintech or IT {industry} expertise.
If the applicant’s college instruction was not in English, a TOEFL rating of a minimum of 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 supplied by the Danger 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: abilities which are extremely wanted however not sometimes present in graduates of conventional Grasp of Enterprise Administration (MBA) or quantitative or quantitative diploma packages. It’s designed for finance and banking professionals, in addition to recent graduates trying to develop experience in monetary know-how and innovation.
This system consists of 40 coursework items, together with core programs in derivatives, threat evaluation, stochastic calculus, and monetary econometrics, in addition to electives overlaying subjects 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 out there 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 preserve a minimal GPA of three.0 out of 5.0 to graduate. Upon commencement, they’ll pursue careers in industrial and funding banking, securities corporations, company finance, insurance coverage, consulting, funding advisory, accounting, authorities monetary companies, hedge funds, pension funds, and monetary know-how 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 talents wanted to navigate the evolving finance panorama utilizing information science, AI, and superior digital applied sciences. This system goals to handle the rising demand for professionals able to leveraging fintech improvements reminiscent of 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 tutorial yr. This system consists of a complete of 30 Tutorial Items (AU), with 12 AU of obligatory programs, 12 AU from the chosen specializations electives, and 6 AU from different electives.
Obligatory programs cowl subjects 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 facets of fintech. Candidates choosing this specialization ought to have a great bachelor’s diploma in a quantitative main or a great observe document in arithmetic and programming.The Digital Monetary Companies (DFS) specialization is designed for college kids within the managerial facets of fintech. Candidates choosing this specialization ought to have a great bachelor’s diploma in a related program, reminiscent of quantitative majors or enterprise, or related working expertise within the finance {industry}.
Specialization-specific programs embrace topics reminiscent of blockchain methods, algorithmic buying and selling, monetary crime compliance, and monetary inclusion.
To graduate, college students should full all required programs and preserve a minimal cumulative GPA of two.50.Candidates will need to have a related Bachelor’s diploma, reminiscent of 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 talents to navigate the rising demand for technology-driven management in enterprise. It goals to organize college students to guide decisively in fields reminiscent of information analytics, technological platforms and enterprise methods.
The MITB program provides 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 subjects reminiscent of digital banking, digital funds, risktech and regtech, in addition to central financial institution digital currencies (CBDCs).
Class classes are three hours lengthy, and are performed in a extremely interactive, seminar-styled method. These classes mix lectures with discussions, hands-on lab classes, problem-solving observe lessons, and group work. By way of this pedagogy, college students have the chance to work together intently with school, full-time skilled hires (instructors) and scholar instructing assistants.
College students additionally get to take part in internships or capstone initiatives, permitting them to achieve hands-on expertise. The internship permits college students to use their studying in knowledgeable atmosphere, whereas the capstone mission offers a chance to conduct in-depth analysis on a enterprise drawback 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 may 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 Take a look at rating, and the tutoring payment is S$54,500, together with GST.
College students should full and move 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 commonly up to date to mirror 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 power to use present monetary information in real-world conditions, aided by internship alternatives with over 3,000 corporations worldwide. It’s ranked third within the Monetary Occasions’ Masters in Finance post-experience 2022 rating.
The MAF program includes 9 core modules overlaying subjects reminiscent of 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 decide to do any 4 elective modules obtainable or select to concentrate on a observe by finishing 4 elective modules supplied in the identical observe.
Modules within the Fintech observe embrace monetary information 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 world wide. Additionally they acquire beneficial 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 embrace core and elective modules, an open module (reminiscent of an internship or capstone mission), and knowledgeable 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 really perfect preparation for these in search of CFA or CAIA designations.
It’s designed for flexibility and is out there in each full-time (12 months + internship) and part-time (24 months) modes of research. This system is open to candidates with a bachelor’s diploma, and candidates are required to submit GMAT, GRE, or SMU Admissions Take a look at scores. Non-native English audio system should additionally present TOEFL or IELTS scores. Recent 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 know-how with monetary experience to equip college students with the talents required to navigate the evolving monetary panorama. By way of a mix of theoretical information and sensible purposes, 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 Occasions Greater Schooling Younger College Rankings 2023. Upon completion, the diploma is awarded by Manchester Metropolitan College.
This system provides a dynamic curriculum that bridges finance and know-how, empowering college students to handle up to date challenges within the monetary sector. Key modules, reminiscent of Improvements in Know-how, Enterprise Mannequin Innovation and Fintech, and Danger Administration for Monetary Establishments, present a deep understanding of economic 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 embrace essential pondering, moral consciousness, company social accountability, {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 important skilled expertise could also be thought of on a case-by-case foundation. English proficiency necessities embrace 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.
