Singapore has seen a rapid proliferation of fintech master’s programs, driven by its position as a global financial hub and a fintech powerhouse.
At the end of 2022, Singapore was home to 1,580 fintech companies, up 52.5% from 1,036 in 2018, according to UOB’s Fintech in ASEAN report. At the time, this was the highest number in Southeast Asia, underscoring Singapore’s leadership in fintech innovation.
However, Singapore is also facing a major talent shortage. For over a decade, ManpowerGroup has been tracking talent shortages worldwide, including in Singapore, where it found that the percentage of organizations struggling to find and hire skilled professionals has surged from just 10% in 2014 to a staggering 79% in 2024.
The Financials and Real Estate sector currently faces the most severe shortage, with 88% of companies reporting hiring difficulties. The Information Technology sector also ranks high, with a 78% talent gap.
IT and data-related skills were found to be the most challenging to hire for in Singapore.
To address this growing demand, universities have introduced specialized fintech master’s programs to equip students and professionals with expertise in blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), digital banking, and financial analytics, among key topics.
Today, we look at six of the city state’s top fintech master’s programs. These programs blend technical training with real-world applications, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for careers in the evolving fintech landscape.
Master of Science in Digital Financial Technology (MSc DFintech) at the National University of Singapore (NUS)
The MSc DFintech, offered by the NUS School of Computing, aims to help students build a strong foundation in computing and finance. It’s intended primarily to help prepare graduates for challenging but rewarding careers as AI, software developers, data scientists, fintech security specialists, financial quantitative analysts and other similar professions in financial institutions or fintech firms.
The program is available for both full-time (18 months) and part-time study (30 months), and requires students to complete 52 units, which include 28 units of core courses, 12 units of elective courses, and a 12-unit capstone project.
Core courses cover subjects such as fintech innovation for consumers, blockchain, and machine learning (ML) for finance, while electives allow students to specialize in one of the following three tracks: Computing Technologies, Financial Data Analytics and Intelligence, and Digital Financial Transactions and Risk Management. Finally, the capstone project can either be an academic research project or an internship with a fintech company.
To earn the degree, students must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 out of 5.0 and complete the required units.
This program is available to students with a Bachelor’s degree in Computing or a related discipline, including STEM, finance, economics, or business. Applicants should also have knowledge of Python programming and advanced quantitative subjects. Those with a related degree are expected to have at least two years of fintech or IT industry experience.
If the applicant’s university instruction was not in English, a TOEFL score of at least 90 or an IELTS score of 6.0 is required. Additionally, international applicants may need to submit GRE, GMAT, or GATE scores.
The tuition fee for the program is S$64,800 (excluding goods and services tax (GST)), with an application fee of S$109 and an acceptance fee of S$5,000, which is credited toward tuition.
Master of Science in Financial Engineering (MFE) at NUS
The MFE is a graduate degree program offered by the Risk Management Institute (RMI) at NUS. Launched in 1999 by the Centre for Financial Engineering at NUS, the predecessor to RMI, the MFE is a multi-disciplinary program that combines finance, mathematics and computing with a practical orientation to solve problems in finance.
The program focuses on financial modeling, risk management, and computational proficiency: skills that are highly sought after but not typically found in graduates of traditional Master of Business Administration (MBA) or quantitative or quantitative degree programs. It is designed for finance and banking professionals, as well as fresh graduates looking to develop expertise in financial technology and innovation.
The program consists of 40 coursework units, including core courses in derivatives, risk analysis, stochastic calculus, and financial econometrics, as well as electives covering topics like portfolio theory, sustainable finance, machine learning, and fintech.
Certain courses are co-taught by senior bankers and industry leaders, and students also have the opportunity to take intensive one-week elective courses at prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, Princeton University, and the University of Waterloo.
The MFE is available in both full-time and part-time formats, with the option for distance learning, though all students must attend the first semester in person in Singapore. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 5.0 to graduate. Upon graduation, they can pursue careers in commercial and investment banking, securities firms, corporate finance, insurance, consulting, investment advisory, accounting, government financial agencies, hedge funds, pension funds, and financial technology companies.
Admission to the MFE is competitive, requiring a four-year bachelor’s or honors degree. Relevant work experience is advantageous, and international applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.
The tuition fee is S$64,000, inclusive of GST, with additional application and acceptance fees.
Master of Science in Financial Technology (MSc in Fintech) at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
The MSc in Fintech at NTU is designed to equip students with the skills needed to navigate the evolving finance landscape using data science, AI, and advanced digital technologies. The program aims to address the growing demand for professionals capable of leveraging fintech innovations such as financial automation, blockchain, and digital financial services.
The MSc in Fintech is an intensive one-year full-time or two-year part-time program by coursework taught in three trimesters per academic year. The program consists of a total of 30 Academic Units (AU), with 12 AU of compulsory courses, 12 AU from the chosen specializations electives, and 6 AU from other electives.
Compulsory courses cover topics like statistical modeling, fintech innovations, Python programming, ML in finance, and risk management.
Candidates must choose one of the two specializations:
- The Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) specialization is designed for students interested in the technical aspects of fintech. Candidates opting for this specialization should have a good bachelor’s degree in a quantitative major or a good track record in mathematics and programming.
- The Digital Financial Services (DFS) specialization is designed for students interested in the managerial aspects of fintech. Candidates opting for this specialization should have a good bachelor’s degree in a relevant program, such as quantitative majors or business, or relevant working experience in the finance industry.
Specialization-specific courses include subjects such as blockchain systems, algorithmic trading, financial crime compliance, and financial inclusion.
To graduate, students must complete all required courses and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
Applicants must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree, such as in quantitative fields, business, or engineering, and demonstrate proficiency in English.
Tuition fees for the program are S$63,220 for the academic year 2025/2026, with a deposit fee of S$5,450.
Master of IT in Business at the Singapore Management University (SMU)
The Master of IT in Business (MITB) program at SMU is designed to equip professionals with the skills to navigate the increasing demand for technology-driven leadership in business. It aims to prepare students to lead decisively in fields such as data analytics, technological platforms and business strategies.
The MITB program offers four specialized tracks, among which the Financial Technology and Analytics (FTA) track. This track focuses on the digitalization of the financial sector, preparing students to work with technologies like blockchain, AI, and analytics to drive innovation in financial services. The electives in this track cover topics such as digital banking, digital payments, risktech and regtech, as well as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Class sessions are three hours long, and are conducted in a highly interactive, seminar-styled manner. These sessions combine lectures with discussions, hands-on lab sessions, problem-solving practice classes, and group work. Through this pedagogy, students have the opportunity to interact closely with faculty, full-time professional hires (instructors) and student teaching assistants.
Students also get to participate in internships or capstone projects, allowing them to gain hands-on experience. The internship enables students to apply their learning in a professional environment, while the capstone project provides an opportunity to conduct in-depth research on a business problem or opportunity.
All classes are held either on weekday evenings, Saturday mornings, or Saturday afternoons. These timings have been chosen to accommodate the schedules of part-time students who are working, and full-time students who might 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 Test score, and the tuition fee is S$54,500, including GST.
Students must complete and pass a total of 15 Course Units (CUs) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to graduate with the MITB degree.
The MITB program claims high employability, with nine out of ten graduates securing employment within six months. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect current IT trends and technologies, and students benefit from learning from world-class faculty and industry practitioners.
Master of Science in Applied Finance at the SMU
The Master of Science in Applied Finance (MAF) at SMU is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the principles, practices and operations of international and domestic financial markets. The program aims to equip students with the ability to apply current financial knowledge in real-world situations, aided by internship opportunities with over 3,000 companies worldwide. It’s ranked 3rd in the Financial Times’ Masters in Finance post-experience 2022 ranking.
The MAF program comprises nine core modules covering topics such as equity analysis, portfolio management, advanced quantitative methods, corporate finance, and financial statement analysis.
Students get to choose from three tracks: Fintech, Fund Management, and Real Estate. They can opt to do any four elective modules available or choose to specialize in a track by completing four elective modules offered in the same track.
Modules in the Fintech track include financial data science, ML and financial application, quantitative trading strategies, fintech for finance, and financial analytics and innovation.
Students also get to benefit from the experience and expertise of eminent faculty members with PhDs from top-ranked universities around the world. They also gain valuable career insights from thought leaders with deep industry experience and network and share their passion for learning.
To complete the MAF program, students are required to complete 15 CUs, which include core and elective modules, an open module (such as an internship or capstone project), and a professional development course.
The MAF curriculum is industry-relevant and aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association, making it an ideal preparation for those seeking CFA or CAIA designations.
It’s designed for flexibility and is available in both full-time (12 months + internship) and part-time (24 months) modes of study. The program is open to candidates with a bachelor’s degree, and applicants are required to submit GMAT, GRE, or SMU Admissions Test scores. Non-native English speakers must also provide TOEFL or IELTS scores. Fresh graduates are welcome to apply.
The tuition fee is S$59,950, inclusive of GST.
Master of Science in Financial Technology at the London School of Business and Finance (LSBF) Singapore Campus
The Master of Science in Financial Technology at the LSBF Singapore Campus combines cutting-edge technology with financial expertise to equip students with the skills required to navigate the evolving financial landscape. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, the program aims to provide students with insights into emerging technologies, financial regulations, and business transformation strategies.
The MSc in Financial Technology is a 12-month fast-track degree designed for career advancement. It is triple-accredited and ranked among the top 20% globally in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023. Upon completion, the degree is awarded by Manchester Metropolitan University.
The program offers a dynamic curriculum that bridges finance and technology, empowering students to address contemporary challenges in the financial sector. Key modules, such as Innovations in Technology, Business Model Innovation and Fintech, and Risk Management for Financial Institutions, provide a deep understanding of financial technologies and their impact on business models and risk management.
Graduates get to develop practical expertise in fundamentals of programming, digital leadership transformation, and financial strategy, while honing their research abilities through the extended research proposal and dissertation modules. Learning outcomes include critical thinking, ethical awareness, corporate social responsibility, and professional competence in fintech.
The MSc in Financial Technology is open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.7/4.0 or equivalent. Those with relevant qualifications or significant professional experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis. English proficiency requirements include an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (with no component below 5.5) or equivalent qualifications.
The tuition fee is S$18,203 for local students and S$22,890 for international students, inclusive of GST.
