ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Financial Technology
Code ACFI332
Coordinator Dr C Wese Simen
Finance and Accounting
C.Wese-Simen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2025-26 Level 6 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
ACFI231 Theory of Finance I; ACFI234 Theory of Finance II 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

 6

         30
Timetable (if known) 120 mins X 1 totaling 24
  		60 mins X 1 totaling 6
  		         
Private Study 120
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Assessment 1: Group Report Assessment Type: Coursework Size: 2,000 words Weighting: 40 % Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL Penalty Applies Anonymous Assessm  0    40       
Assessment 2: Individual Report Assessment Type: Coursework Size: 2,000-word Weighting: 50 % Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL Penalty Applies Anonymous Ass  0    50       
Assessment 3: Individual Poster Presentation Assessment Type: Practical Assessment Duration: Weighting: 10 % Reassessment Opportunity: Yes Penalty for Late Submission: Standard UoL Penalty Applie  0    10       

Aims

This module aims to equip students with a good knowledge of financial technology. Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to discuss recent developments in financial technology, evaluate their applications to the finance industry, and critically evaluate their potential social implications. The students should be able to analyse the policy implications of financial technology.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to discuss the latest offerings of fintech companies

(LO2) Students will be able to discuss the impact of technological developments on the finance industry

(LO3) Students will be able to critically evaluate the risks posed by technological developments to the stability and integrity of the financial system

(LO4) Students will be able to assess the possible social impact of fintech

(LO5) Students will be able to develop potential policy recommendations to better harness the potential of technology

(S1) Commercial Awareness

(S2) Communication

(S3) Digital Fluency

(S4) Problem Solving

(S5) Organisation

(S6) Leadership

(S7) Teamworking

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method - Lectures
Description: Lecture (12 Lectures of 2 hours each)
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 24 hours
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Students will attend the weekly 2 hours lecture during which the key concepts will be introduced.

Teaching Method – Seminar (6 seminars of 1 hour each)
Description: Face to face sessions
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 6 hours
Attendance Recorded: Yes
The seminar will take place over 6 weeks. During these sessions, students will be presented with a range of exercises and case studies.

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 120 hours
Description: These independent learning hours are aimed at supporting the directed student learning. The module leader will provide guidance in the form of suggested readings and topics to complete with the expectation that students are well prepared to contribute to the tutorial activities and to understand the content of lectures.

Journal articles and/or f inancial press articles will be used to enrich the learning. The teaching will also be supported by discussion boards that will be used to further foster the exchange of ideas, thus deepening the knowledge of students and improving their communication skills. These activities will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Commercial Awareness
How this is developed: By relating the discussion of technological advances to recent developments in the business world.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report, Individual Report and Poster

Skills / attributes: Communication
How this is developed: By contributing to in-class discussions (lectures and seminars), and by preparing the project reports. The students will also develop their non-verbal communication by developing poster presentations.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report, Individual Report and Poster

Skills / attributes: Digital Fluency
How this is developed: By using digital tools and specialist software to engage with the course material, to undertake additional research, and to communicate.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report, Individual Report and Poster

Skills / attributes: Problem-solving
How this is developed: During the lectures & seminars, the students will gather and synthesise information, evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of technology in the finance industry, and formulate recommendations.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report, Individual Report and Poster

Skills / attributes: Organisation
How this is developed: In lectures & seminars, the students will learn to manage their time carefully by prioritising and completing tasks within specific deadlines. They will also develop their organization skills by working on group and individual projects.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report, Individual Report and Poster

Skills / attributes: Leadership
How this is developed: During the seminars, the students will have the opportunity to lead team activities. For instance, they will have the opportunity to plan the tasks, identify the resources needed to complete the task, monitor the progress of the group and review the plan if needed.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Group Report

Skills / attributes: Teamwork
How this is developed: In seminars, the students will work in teams to complete the assigned tasks. They will also work together to complete the group project. In doing so, they will understand the importance of teamwork, manage the interaction and relationships with other group members, gain experience in negotiation, persuasion, influencing and managing conflict.

Syllabus
 

• Banking: credit scoring, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer and market place lending
• Investment management: robo-advising and exchange traded funds
• Trading: high-frequency trading and social media platforms
• Payment: Real time payments, decentralized technology, digital cash and mobile money
• Blockchain and cryptocurrency
• Regulation of financial technology firms and cybersecurity

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.