MSc Financial Technology: Entry requirements

To apply for MSc Financial Technology, you should have a First Class Honours degree or a Upper Second Class Honours degree from a recognised university or the international equivalent in a highly quantitative discipline such as:

• Engineering

• Computer Science

• Mathematics

• Economics

• Finance

• Science

Good programming skills using languages such as C++, SQL, Java, R or Python will add weight to your application. You can provide details of your experience in the software packages and programming languages section of the application form.

There are no specific ‘A’ Level criteria, but many banks and companies in the financial sector have very strict grade requirements for their graduate programmes. We strongly recommend that you research the entry requirements of any companies you are interested in working for.

Complete our online Maths test to determine if you are suitable to apply for the programme.

Prerequisite knowledge requirements

MSc Financial Technology is a highly quantitative programme and therefore all students commencing the programme are expected to be proficient in probability, calculus, matrix algebra and real analysis.

You should use the ‘Quantitative Experience Statement’ on the application form to list the most advanced quantitative courses that you have taken in your academic career to date and to provide brief examples of the relevant topics covered by the programme.

GMAT/GRE

GMAT is not required for MSc Financial Technology, but a well-balanced GMAT result with 650 or higher overall will add weight to your application.

If your undergraduate degree is not in a highly mathematical discipline you will need to demonstrate your suitability with excellent results in your quantitative modules. Submitting a GMAT or GRE result is also highly recommended. A score of at least 48/60 in the quantitative section of GMAT, or 159 in the quantitative section of GRE will add weight to your application.

You have the opportunity to demonstrate your career plan through the Career Planning Questions on the application form, and this is an extremely important aspect of your application.

All candidates, regardless of your level of previous work experience are expected to provide evidence of your research into the professional areas, roles and potential employers that you are considering pursuing after you graduate – as well as the challenges you may face in your career and the skills you possess to help you succeed.

Internships and work experience

Prospective students are strongly recommended to undertake relevant internships and work placements and list them in the ‘Industrial/Professional Experience’ section of the application form and your CV, as this will add weight to your application. If you are committed to a career in the finance sector, we expect to see evidence of how you’ve been building your professional experience and knowledge throughout your undergraduate degree.

Career planning questions

In the career planning questions you will need to show you have thought about the type of employer you want to work for immediately after graduating and have researched your target organisation(s) and role. You will also need to answer the following questions to demonstrate awareness of what is required and the steps you will take to prepare for your chosen career. 

1. How will your chosen programme help you reach your career goal?
2. Do you see any barriers that you may need to overcome to reach this goal (personally, professionally, or academically)?
3. What gaps in your skillset will you need to develop to prepare for this career?

All programmes at Imperial College Business School are linguistically demanding, and therefore strong English language skills are critical to academic success on your MSc and in your future career. The English language entry requirements listed here are the minimum scores needed for admission, successful students typically demonstrate higher levels of achievement.

Candidates who are required to take an English test to meet the language requirement are strongly encouraged to take this before applying and supply their scores as part of the online application. A strong result in an approved English language test will add weight to your application.

A full list of acceptable English language qualifications and our required scores can be found on our detailed English language requirement page.

The most common ways that applicants meet the requirements are:

• IELTS (academic): A minimum score of 7.0 with minimum scores of 6.5 in all elements. The IELTS indicator test will be accepted for admissions to the 2023/24 academic year.
• TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 100 overall with minimum scores of 22 in all elements.  The ETS at Home test will be accepted for admission to the 2023/24 academic year.
• Degree studied in and awarded by an English-speaking country AND English language assessed to be proficient via Kira Talent video interview.
• Duolingo English Test: 125 Overall with no less than 115 in any band score

Note:

• IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo scores are only valid if they are less than two years old on the programme start date
• TOEFL: You must meet the entry requirement in one test from your scaled scores (‘My Best Scores’ reported by TOEFL will not be considered). For more information regarding TOEFL please visit the ETS website. Please note if you would like ETS to send your TOEFL scores directly to the College, our TOEFL Institution Code is 0891.
• All English-speaking countries as defined by the College can be found here. Holders of degrees from any other countries would not be considered for an interview.