Harvard VPAL
FinTech
Step beyond current FinTech disruption and prepare for future financial services priorities.
Start date
07 April 2021
Enroll by 30 March 2021
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)
In recent years, the FinTech landscape has been defined by disruptive digital technology transforming banking and financial services. Since then, FinTech companies have successfully filled gaps left by existing financial institutions to serve customers’ evolving needs. The industry is now defined by innovation drivers, moving beyond disruption and towards widely adopted technology.
This online short course offers an up-to-date look into the maturing FinTech industry. It provides expert guidance and insight into the shifting nature of the financial sector and a holistic understanding of the technologies and innovations set to shape the future of finance and business. Utilizing innovative pedagogical approaches pioneered by the Harvard Business School (HBS), this course adapts the Case Method Approach used in on-campus programs at HBS for online study, presenting real-life challenges that reflect the complex, dynamic nature of the FinTech landscape. Equip yourself with the knowledge to tackle transformative initiatives within the financial technology sector, and earn a premier 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 designed for business decision makers, financial professionals, and senior management professionals to better contextualize, interpret, and respond to the transformed financial services industry. It will benefit anyone within the financial technology and innovation space, particularly those wanting to adopt the creative methods and strategic approaches used within FinTech.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 6 weeks (excluding orientation)
In recent years, the FinTech landscape has been defined by disruptive digital technology transforming banking and financial services. Since then, FinTech companies have successfully filled gaps left by existing financial institutions to serve customers’ evolving needs. The industry is now defined by innovation drivers, moving beyond disruption and towards widely adopted technology.
This online short course offers an up-to-date look into the maturing FinTech industry. It provides expert guidance and insight into the shifting nature of the financial sector and a holistic understanding of the technologies and innovations set to shape the future of finance and business. Utilizing innovative pedagogical approaches pioneered by the Harvard Business School (HBS), this course adapts the Case Method Approach used in on-campus programs at HBS for online study, presenting real-life challenges that reflect the complex, dynamic nature of the FinTech landscape. Equip yourself with the knowledge to tackle transformative initiatives within the financial technology sector, and earn a premier 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 designed for business decision makers, financial professionals, and senior management professionals to better contextualize, interpret, and respond to the transformed financial services industry. It will benefit anyone within the financial technology and innovation space, particularly those wanting to adopt the creative methods and strategic approaches used within FinTech.
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. 
The opportunity to network with a cohort of like-minded professionals at an additional conference week.
A premier certificate from Harvard’s VPAL, in association with HarvardX, as validation of your FinTech knowledge.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
Transforming personal finance with FinTech
Module 5
Demystifying blockchain and cryptocurrency
Module 6
Forging the future of FinTech
Conference Week
An optional final week for sharing capstone project presentations
Get course prospectus
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
Learn 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 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.
Get a course brochure
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing high-quality online short courses from the world’s leading universities. We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required for the workplace of the future. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need.
Students are supported at every stage of the learning journey, enabling them to thrive professionally through increased relevance, competence, and confidence. Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
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 FAQ, 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 see the list of university partner login pages here.
