Why Swinburne is offering Australia’s first fintech degrees
The Melbourne university is offering three fintech postgraduate courses in 2019.
Swinburne University has joined the likes of Oxford University and Harvard in offering university courses for future fintech professionals. The three courses, which include a graduate certificate and two Master's options, are designed for those working in financial or technology industries and looking to successfully move into the fintech space.
According to Dr Dimitrios Salampasis, Director, Master of Financial Technologies and FinTech Program Leader, Swinburne had identified fintech-focused postgraduate courses starting to emerge around the world and developed this course to prepare executives to transition to future financial innovations.
"Based on our research, existing finance postgraduate qualifications appear to focus more on preparing professionals for the existing financial services business environment rather than preparing them for the rapidly changing world of the future," Dr Salampasis said.
"In order to operate in the potential world that may evolve, current and future financial services professionals need to have a broader understanding of the underlying technologies and how these can be utilised to create opportunities and respond to challenges."
The EY FinTech Australia Census 2018 found that 45% of fintech companies agreed that attracting qualified or suitable talent was a challenge while 50% of fintech CEOs and founders agree that Australia lacks experienced startup and fintech talent. Courses focused on fintech may contribute to developing skills needed in fintech.
Dr Salampasis said the course was about "upskilling existing financial services professionals, preparing future financial services professionals and enabling entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial fintech ventures".
Dr Salampasis said the course would be suited to advisors including consultants, accountants, lawyers, informational technology professionals and those starting fintech startups.
The EY FinTech Australia Census also found that over half (54%) of Australia's fintech founders to have completed postgraduate study.
The course will include practical elements and aims to be active in Australia's business ecosystem, utilising experience and expertise from relevant stakeholders.
"The practical elements include co-creation of learning material with industry participants, guest lectures from Australia and abroad and exposure to real-life industry projects developing new services and responding to challenges and trends," Dr Salampasis said. "The Masters level includes two hands-on applied subjects that involve working on relevant, real-world financial services and technology projects."
Fintech short courses are available to Australians online at Oxford University and Harvard, but this is the first postgraduate degree that is available at an Australian campus. The course is currently in its second year and applications are open. The courses range between one and four years part-time and are to be completed at the university's Hawthorn campus.
You can find out more about the courses and apply on Swinburne University's website.
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