Course duration

6 weeks

Excluding orientation

Language

English

Access resources from start date

Effort

6–8 hours per week

Self-paced learning online

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Course overview

The number of countries in the 20-strong OECD, a club of mostly rich members, in the advanced stages of exploring a central-bank digital currency (CBDC).

Atlantic Council (May 2024)

15%

The forecasted annual growth rate of fintech revenues in 2022–28—over twice as fast as banks.

McKinsey (October 2023)

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

In the competitive world of fintech, disruptive startups and big tech companies are challenging the behemoths of traditional finance. To capitalise on the opportunities created by this disruption, first you need to understand it.

Fintech and the Future of Finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Govcoins and the Payments Revolution, an online course from Economist Education, provides in-depth analysis of the industry's future, focusing on dispelling common myths and misconceptions. From cryptocurrencies’ inception to the transformation of payments, the course explores the tech and business models that will disrupt the sector and those that should be approached with caution. You’ll learn how to navigate jargon and technical complexity to understand financial technologies and their potential benefits.

Over six weeks, Matthieu Favas, an authority on finance from The Economist, will guide you through the key fintech trends. The course will focus on fintech’s future prospects and how emerging technologies could upend the world of finance.

Is this course for you?

This course is for individuals working in finance and technology who want to enhance their comprehension of the fintech industry and the disruptive technologies that are transforming it. Specifically, it targets those in leadership and management roles responsible for implementing financial technologies within their organisations. This course can also benefit business owners and entrepreneurs looking to start or run fintech ventures.

This course is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The course has an estimated 50 hours of learning.

Note: should students wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is upon them. Economist Education and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

Course overview

Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)

What will set you apart

On completion of this course, you’ll walk away with:

An understanding of the financial system, why it is open for disruption, and how others are competing and co-operating in this crowded space.

A comprehensive, forward-looking view of the fintech industry with insights into the newest advances in fintech, including blockchain, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, govcoins, super-apps and decentralised finance.

The ability to recognise the threats, difficulties and possibilities posed by fintech innovation.

Unlimited access to the official Economist Education alumni group on LinkedIn and edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.

Course curriculum

Acquire a deeper understanding of the financial system through the weekly modules of this online course.

Orientation module

Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1

The financial system: an unstable status quo

Module 2

Fintech wars: big banks vs big data

Module 3

Cryptocurrencies: from blockchain to stablecoins

Module 4

Govcoins: central banks go digital

Module 5

Emerging markets: innovation unleashed

Module 6

Decentralised finance: fintech’s newest frontier

Get more information

Course founder

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

Matthieu Favas

Finance correspondent, The Economist

About the certificate

Examine how technology is reshaping the financial system and earn an official certificate of completion from Economist Education.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with your 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 sent to you upon successful completion of the course, as per the stipulated requirements.

Economist Education Fintech and the Future of Finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Govcoins and the Payments Revolution online short course certificate

YOUR INFORMATION

Get more information

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

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Yes, I want to receive additional information about the Economist Education Fintech and the Future of Finance: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Govcoins and the Payments Revolution online short course. Please contact me:

By email: *YesNo

By phone: *YesNo

Phone *

Please enter a valid phone number

edX, and its parent company, 2U, Inc., offer other online education programmes across various fields of study. Please email me about these programmes.

By consenting to receive communications, you agree to the use of your data as described in our privacy policy. You may opt out of receiving communication at any time.

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.

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.

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.

ENTERPRISE TEAMS