Harvard VPAL
FinTech Online Short Course
Go beyond current FinTech disruption and get ready for future financial services priorities.
Start date
20 August 2025
Course duration
6 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
8–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The estimated worth of the global FinTech market by 2023.
Research and Markets (May, 2019).
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
Introduction
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.
Get this course for your team
Leading organisations recognise the value of this course and invest in it to enhance their employees' skills and expertise.
What will set you apart
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
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
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
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.
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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.
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Payment options
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.
Manage your time
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.
Seek employer assistance
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.
How to change your start date
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.
Discover the Online Campus
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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