58吃瓜

FI3001 Financial Technology and Digital Finance

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Only available to Management or joint Management Honours students (both third and fourth year)

Planned timetable

When confirmed, check online https://timetables.st-andrews.ac.uk/.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr S Kazembalaghi

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Shabnam Kazembalaghi

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces the fundamental concepts of FinTech and digital finance, with a focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI). It examines the digital delivery of traditional financial services, including payments, lending, and investment platforms. The fundamentals of blockchain technology, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are discussed using practical use cases. The module explores how FinTech solutions are embedded across banking, capital markets, payments, and alternative finance. It also examines online fundraising models for equity and debt and their implications for financial inclusion. Key themes include the democratization of access to finance and the interaction between traditional and digital financial systems.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS MN2001 AND PASS MN2002

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hour lectures x 10 weeks, 1 hour seminar x 6 weeks

Intended learning outcomes

  • Develop familiarity with FinTech, including the attributes of high-performing FinTech ecosystems, global trends, and the main technologies shaping the sector鈥檚 future.
  • Build an understanding of core fintech concepts and evaluate new and evolving technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI.
  • Develop the ability to evaluate decentralization and associated innovations, including blockchain, stablecoins, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
  • Build an understanding of how digitalization of finance can democratize access to equity capital for innovative startups.
  • Apply theoretical frameworks (e.g., signalling theory) through practical use cases from online platforms to critically assess the determinants of success and fundraising outcomes.