FinTech Courses That Stand Out In 2022

The world of financial technology (FinTech) has grown rapidly in recent years, but it is only at the start of its growth. The industry is expected to keep rising as things like blockchain technology, the IoT, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) advance.

In addition to pure FinTech companies, traditional financial institutions are beginning to change. An example is banks, with many becoming digital-friendly and including various FinTech products and services. Therefore, a proper understanding of FinTech is invaluable, especially if you work in or around the industry.

An easy way to deepen your understanding of FinTech is through continued education. Fortunately, online courses are in high demand, so there are some great ones out there. Listed below are some of the best FinTech courses in 2022, so make sure to keep reading to get an idea of which one is right for you.

Harvard University FinTech

Harvard University is known for its excellence in the world of education. Moreover, the school recently began expanding its online programs. The programs include courses on everything from web development to financial technology. And the best part is that the courses are led by experts under the prestigious Harvard banner.

The Harvard FinTech course lasts six weeks, and unlike some of the other courses out there, it is done during a set window of time. It is not on-demand because the online course is led by an instructor. Not only does this make the content more dynamic and up-to-date with the quickly changing landscape, but the pace is also malleable.

The course is considered to be of intermediate difficulty, and it covers topics from how FinTech is reshaping the banking and payment industry to a week on blockchain and cryptocurrency. Some of what you will learn if you take the course from Harvard is:

• The way competing interests influence how FinTech is reshaping banking
• FinTech’s impact on real estate financing
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning’s role in financial trading
• How FinTech has altered financing through crowdfunding and more
• The role of FinTech corporations in changing the traditional currency regime

The course allows students to deepen their understanding of FinTech’s role, both in the present and the future. Moreover, the entire six-week course only costs $2,800. Though, be prepared for a time commitment of between eight and ten hours per week throughout the course. Once you finish, you are awarded a premier certificate from Harvard.

Wharton – Foundations & Applications of Financial Technology Specialization

Another course from a fantastic institution is Wharton’s Foundations & Applications of Financial Technology Specialization. It might be a mouthful, but it covers a lot of different topics and is actually broken into four separate sections. The sections included in the course include:

• FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations
• Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: An Introduction to Digital Currencies
• Lending, Crowdfunding, and Modern Investing
• Application of AI, InsurTech, and Real Estate Technology

The entire course walks students through various in-depth topics that send them away with knowledge and skills in investment management, crypto, regulation, and blockchain. Moreover, it is designed for flexible schedules, allowing students to take things at their own pace.

Of course, it is on-demand, but the curriculum is carefully designed by professors from various departments. Moreover, it is taught in such a manner that it is suitable for beginners. The university even recommends taking things slowly, with a pace of around an hour per week, making it a great choice for those with busy schedules.

That being said, each of the sections includes around four to five hours of material to complete. Since it can be done at your own pace, it can be completed quickly if you want. And the best part is the pricing, which is done on a monthly basis through Coursera. Those who complete the course receive a certificate from Whorton.

Wharton – Fintech Revolution: Transformative Financial Services and Strategies

Wharton does not only focus on beginner-level courses. The school also provides high-level executive courses. The course was designed with mid-to senior-level finance managers in mind. It is also great for CXOs, consultants, and those working in fields such as real estate, insurance, and compliance.

This Wharton course is led by a finance professor from the university, and it includes some guest speakers, which include people from companies like Vanguard and Securitize. Moreover, the course covers a wide range of topics, discussing both the current and future state of FinTech. The course includes an in-depth look at:

• The evolution of financial technology and the concept of trust with FinTech
• Digital payments and marketplace lending in relation to financial technology
• AI and machine learning in FinTech and the value of robo-advisors
• Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
• How financial technology is redefining industries such as real estate

The course also covers regulations involving FinTech, ensuring that students walk away with a firm understanding of financial technology. Moreover, it is all done over six weeks, with a time commitment of four to six hours per week. Furthermore, it is not a simple on-demand course, utilizing a variety of teaching methods, such as:

• Real-World Examples
• Expert Guest Speakers
• Demonstrations
• Peer-Based Learning
• Assignments and a Project

It is definitely worth the money, especially since it only costs $2,600. Those who complete the course walk away with a certificate and solid knowledge about the current and future state of FinTech.

CFTE – Fintech 360

The Centre for Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship is a massive platform focused on digital finance and FinTech. And the company’s primary focus is providing online FinTech courses and certificates. Because of that, they have many great options, including one called Fintech 360, which builds knowledge from the ground up.

The six-week course starts with an in-depth introduction to FinTech. It introduces the rise of FinTech and the big players in the industry and everything needed to understand FinTech innovation. There is even expert Q&A. The first week is followed by weeks dedicated to important topics:

• AI technology, applications in finance, and trends
• Open banking technologies, the business model, and regulations and standards
• FinTech and its role in payment innovations, including strategies
• RegTech fundamentals and more to understand evolving regulations
• Information on DeFi, blockchain, crypto, and NFTs

The course also includes a bonus segment after the official six weeks are over. The bonus involves learning how to create NFTs. CFTE focuses on the most important topics when it comes to FinTech. It even utilizes easy-to-digest bites of information, with students unlocking a new 15-minute video every day.

The price of the course is given in pounds, totaling 600 pounds. That comes out to around $815. However, it does not have to be paid all at once. The course can be broken into three or four monthly installments to make it more manageable. It is a great choice for those who want a broad understanding they can get at their own pace.

UTAustinX – Fintech: The Future of Finance

UTAustinX’s FinTech course can be found on edX, and it is another great self-paced course. It all starts with an overview of the FinTech sector. In the overview, there is a review of recent advances that are changing the financial services landscape. It includes emerging technologies, regulations, and how value is created.

After the overview is finished, the course goes through three more sections, each designed to explore a different set of topics in-depth. While it does get into more specific information, the course goes over topics such as:

• An examination of blockchain technology and its application in business
• The role of Machine learning and AI in finance
• The technology of payments, API, open banking, InsurTech, and IoT

The course delves deeply into each topic, providing students with all the knowledge they need to gain a proper understanding. In fact, the course lasts approximately four months, with a time commitment of five to six hours per week. That being said, it is self-paced, so you can go as quick or slow as you want.

The overview content, which amounts to about 15 to 18 hours of content, can be started for free. Each of the other four sections costs around $800, making the course total $2,600. The course is backed by the university, with one of its professors acting as the instructor. If you want a course that lets you try it for free, check it out.

Duke – FinTech Law and Policy

Duke offers a specialized course that focuses on FinTech law and policy. The course stresses the importance of understanding the laws and regulations that apply to FinTech businesses. It even goes as far as saying that having great technology is only part of success. Some of the things focused on by the course are:

• Legal, regulatory, and policy issues associated with the FinTech industry
• Information centered around crypto, including initial coin offerings and more
• How regulatory agencies are adjusting to financial technology
• The potential path for FinTech firms to become regulated banks
• The basics of how banks are regulated in the US

The course is meant for people with all levels of understanding. It starts with an in-depth overview of the underlying technology, bringing students up to speed. It is also focused on the US market, though, even then, it does not cover everything. The course simply strives to cover a broad range of important topics.

The course allows students to reset the deadlines as needed to fit their schedules. The flexible functionality is due to the course being part of Coursera, which operates using a monthly-payment system. Therefore, not only is the course a great source of information relating to FinTech laws and regulations, but it is highly affordable.

It will take approximately 11 hours to complete the Duke FinTech Law and Policy course. Upon completion, it awards a shareable certificate, much like many other university-supported programs.

Rotman – FinTech: Future of Payments

Another great FinTech course comes from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. The course focuses on the payment ecosystem, including the past, present, and future. It is a specialized course meant to equip senior management and decision-makers with in-depth knowledge of FinTech innovations.

Everything starts with a basic orientation when the beginning of the class approaches. Then, it delves into the evolution of payments to give some foundational knowledge to students. It follows that up with a module on SWIFT, scandals, and international payment laws. The following weeks get into innovation, blockchain, DeFi, and more.

The course lasts around six weeks once it begins, requiring six to eight hours a week to be successful. Therefore, while students can learn at their own pace, it requires a decent minimum commitment. By the end of the course, Rotman wants students to walk away with knowledge and skills that will set them apart, including:

• Insights into the past, present, and future of FinTech and the payment ecosystem
• The ability to implement and manage customer-centric payment solutions
• An understanding of how to leverage open banking initiatives
• A grasp on the functionality, risks, and opportunities of blockchain and DeFi

Rotman’s course is held through GetSmarter, an expert at creating online courses. However, the program director is a professor of finance from the University of Toronto. It offers a great deal of insight and understanding to anyone curious about the impact of FinTech on payments. And it all comes at just under $2,000 for the six-week program.

University of Michigan – Financial Technology (Fintech) Innovations Specialization

Coursera hosts many great courses for FinTech, including this specialization from the University of Michigan. It is designed to teach entry-level knowledge and build on it to provide students with an understanding of the innovations brought upon by FinTech. It focuses on both general knowledge and use cases to build a solid understanding.

Like many Coursera offerings, the specialization requires a membership to the site. Once you are a member, you can begin the specialization, which can be done at your own pace. However, it recommends spending two hours per week for four months to complete all of the courses in the specialization. The topics covered include:

• The future of payment technologies
• Blockchain and cryptocurrency
• Raising capital through credit tech, coin offerings, and crowdfunding
• Innovations in investment technology, including AI

By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in new payment technologies. They will also be capable of describing blockchain technology in detail, including its usefulness in various contexts. And that is just some of what the specialization has to offer since it covers a wide variety of topics.

The courses are designed and overseen by professors from the University of Michigan. A shareable certificate is also provided to those who finish the course, making it a valuable addition to those looking to show expertise in the FinTech space.

Cornell Certificate Program

Cornell is known for its ability to provide high-quality education and courses. That reputation extends into its online programs, which include a two-month FinTech certificate program. The program has four courses, which must be completed in order. The material covered focuses on:

• Defining FinTech and exploring FinTech disruptions
• Important trends in the FinTech industry
• Cryptocurrencies and ledgers
• The essentials of cryptography

The courses include practical examples of the information you learn, including the utilization of Porter’s Five Forces analysis. The analysis focuses on a product and the five major financial verticals. It is a great way to solidify knowledge alongside the expert guidance of the instructors.

Cornell’s program requires a commitment of three to five hours per week. Additionally, the instructor-led model and small class size make it a great opportunity to engage with others and gain in-depth knowledge.

The course costs $3,600, though monthly payment options bring the price to $950 per month. However, the monthly option does increase the price slightly. Students receive a FinTech certificate from Cornell Johnson School when the course ends. It also grants 40 Professional Development Hours (4 CUEs).

Berkeley Fintech: Frameworks, Applications, and Strategies

The course featured here comes from UC Berkeley, and it is focused on providing information along with useful case studies and practical applications. The course starts like most others, providing students with general information and insights into the FinTech landscape. However, the course also delves into things like:

• Valuations of FinTech companies at different stages
• The three pillars of data science and analytics
• Using high-frequency FinTech data to address challenges
• Analyzing a FinTech company’s financials
• Understanding FinTech success factors and strategies

Berkeley takes a fresh approach by focusing on putting theory with real-world examples. The course also has a heavy leaning on data and financial literacy. Between these examples and the project that must be completed, students come away with knowledge they know how to put to use.

The course lasts for two months, with an average commitment between four and six hours per week. It is online, but it is not on-demand. However, rounds of the course open up frequently, making it easy to enroll. The entire program has eight modules and costs around $2,300.

Udemy – What is Fintech? Learn the skills of FinTech today

Udemy is one of the go-to places for online education. There are a ton of courses, and most of them are designed to be digestible and quick. The course featured here is no different. In fact, it is only around an hour long and covers the entry-level knowledge someone unfamiliar with FinTech might want. The lectures included go over:

• The many definitions of FinTech and how the course describes it
• The reasons FinTech grew so rapidly into what it is now
• Information about how FinTech is changing financial services

The course is led by CFTE, which is mentioned above. The company is known to provide incredible FinTech resources and courses, and this brief introduction is no exception. While it might not be enough to elevate a career, it will certainly do the job of informing someone who wants to get their first taste of FinTech.

This course is on-demand and done entirely online through video lectures. It costs $60, and once you make a purchase, you own the material forever. Moreover, it can be viewed online or on a mobile phone for convenience. It even comes with a certificate of completion.

Final Thoughts

There are many FinTech courses out there, and since it is such a wide topic, each offers something unique. Ideally, you will consider your aspirations when choosing a course, picking something that caters to what you hope to learn or accomplish. However, there are many courses that can help you delve into the ever-changing FinTech world.