Harvard VPAL

FinTech Online Short Course

Go beyond current FinTech disruption and get ready for future financial services priorities.

Start date

22 January 2025

Price

$3,234 USD

Installment Plan

Request a call

Course duration

6 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

8–10 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

$305.7 billion

The estimated worth of the global FinTech market by 2023.

Research and Markets (May, 2019).

64%

The amount of digitally active global consumers, across 27 markets, who use FinTech.

EY (Jun, 2019).

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

The FinTech industry has been revolutionized in recent years thanks to disruptive technology introduced by FinTech companies. These companies have successfully identified and filled gaps left by traditional financial institutions to cater to customers' ever-changing needs. The FinTech industry is no longer limited to disrupting the traditional financial system but has moved towards innovation and widely adopted technology.

This Harvard Fintech course provides an in-depth and current insight into the maturing FinTech industry. It offers expert guidance and knowledge on the changing nature of the financial sector and an all-encompassing understanding of the technologies and innovations that are set to shape the future of finance and business. To enhance the online learning experience, this course utilizes innovative pedagogical approaches pioneered by the Harvard Business School (HBS). These approaches include the Case Method Approach, which presents real-life challenges that reflect the complex and dynamic nature of the FinTech landscape. This FinTech course will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle transformative initiatives in the financial technology sector. Upon completing the course, you will receive a prestigious digital certificate from Harvard's Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL), in association with HarvardX.

Is this course for you?

This online course is tailored for business decision-makers, senior management professionals, and financial experts, providing a deeper understanding of the transformation in the financial services industry. Particularly useful for those in the financial technology and innovation space, the course offers insights into industry changes and driving forces, equipping learners with the necessary skills to thrive in the sector. By the end, students can make informed decisions, develop strategies and implement innovative solutions to address industry challenges. Enrolling in this course can improve FinTech and innovation skills, provide expertise, and boost career prospects.

Course overview

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll gain:

Clarity on the speculation and hype of the FinTech landscape, and the skills and knowledge to tackle innovation initiatives.

An understanding of the technologies shaping the future of finance and the potential for partnerships between incumbents, new age tech companies, and investors.

The ability to critically assess the future of FinTech and think strategically and creatively about problems faced by real companies.

A premier certificate from Harvard’s VPAL, in association with HarvardX, as validation of your FinTech knowledge.

The opportunity to network with a cohort of like-minded professionals at an additional conference week, and unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your FinTech career forward.

Course curriculum

Discover the drivers and adopters of FinTech innovations as you progress through the weekly modules of this online course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

Reshaping the banking and payments industry

Module 2

Raising money with FinTech

Module 3

Harnessing data with artificial intelligence and machine learning

Module 4

Demystifying blockchain

Module 5

Demystifying cryptocurrencies and CBDCs

Module 6

Forging the future of FinTech

Conference Week

An optional final week for sharing capstone project presentations

Get more information

What past students
think

John McCabe

Regional Vice President

Loved the use of Zoom for tutorials with my peers. I felt like this course laid a solid foundation to help me understand the potential change facing financial institutions in the near and distant future.

Course Conveners

The design of this online short course is guided by faculty from Harvard VPAL, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.

Lauren Cohen

L.E. Simmons Professor of Business Administration

Christopher Malloy

Sylvan C. Coleman Professor of Financial Management

About the certificate

Gain knowledge about FinTech and earn a premier certificate from Harvard’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL), in association with HarvardX.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your digital certificate will be issued in your legal name and couriered to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Harvard VPAL FinTech online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

Get more information

Answer a few questions and get more information about the course.

FAQ

Want to know more?

GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.

We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.

Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.

Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.

You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.

GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.

At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.

By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?

Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.

If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.

As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.

To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.

The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.

On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.

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