Why London is a great place to get into FinTech

Thu 02 May 2019

The technology is everywhere, and it affects everything that we do. If you’ve ever used online banking or paid for something using your mobile phone, then you’re already a part of this growing world of digital finance. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry that changes the way we bank, the way we make transactions, the way we get loans and credit, and the way we shop.

For students interested in a career in the FinTech industry, the UK capital is one of the top cities in the world to study in. For those with an entrepreneurial drive, it’s an even better place to live after graduating. In a recent report by Deloitte, London was named one of the top two centres for launching a new FinTech firm, ranking highly for both financial competitiveness and innovation.

So what is FinTech, and what does the industry have to offer young students? Here we explain it all. We look at how FinTech has evolved, what FinTech courses you can study, and why London is the place to go for the best courses and an ever-expanding job market.

What is FinTech?

FinTech is an emerging industry specialising in software, apps and other digital technology for use in the finance sector, such as banking or financial services. It’s one of the most exciting and lucrative industries for young millennials, and has become a priority focus for financial institutions across the globe.

The contributions to society are invaluable with this kind of technology, and any skills in this area will put graduates in an excellent position to get hired by the most desirable, forward-thinking companies.

The growing FinTech job market 

The world of FinTech is still in its infancy, so the potential to grow and establish a career is huge. Data from FinTech Global revealed that 2018 was a record year for FinTech investment worldwide, raising $41.7 billion in the first half of the year and $32.2 billion in the second quarter. This sector is maturing rapidly, making it one of the fastest growing sectors of our time.

As FinTech evolves, and as more businesses realise the necessity for investing in digital technology, there will be an even bigger demand for skills.

Major cities such as London, Singapore, New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo are already expanding the job market. Companies now need experts in big data analysis, cybersecurity, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IA (Intelligent Automation), cryptocurrency, and more.

With such a large amount of investment going into digital departments, job cuts in traditional institutions are likely. So if students want to choose a secure vocation with potential for growth, courses in computer engineering, software development or data security are a fantastic choice for the future.

Why choose London for FinTech?

Not only is London a fantastic city for studying FinTech-related courses, but it’s also one of the most successful centres for finance and technology start-ups. During your studies, you will have access to these start-ups through competitions and collaborations between companies and selected universities. You’ll have the exciting opportunity to participate in education initiatives such as workshops, live talks, and even company tours.

The selection of places to study will also not disappoint. No matter where you are on the educational ladder, there’s a course to put you on the right path for a successful career. From foundation programmes to an advanced masters, London’s universities and colleges provide so much choice to students at every level.

An undergraduate programme in computer engineering is a good place to start if you want to move into software and app development. With apps being such an integral part of modern banking and online retail, this is a great career path to pursue. Or a masters in information security could be suitable for anyone interested in cybersecurity for banks and large financial organisations. Courses in robotics could also be of interest if you want to enter into the world of machine learning and automated technologies. There are so many different specialisms to consider when choosing an occupation in FinTech, and London is a good place to begin your journey.

In addition to the work opportunities in the growing technology sector, the city is also an amazing cosmopolitan destination for nightlife, shopping, food from every culture, and plenty of entertainment such as theatre, galleries and music festivals.

There’s always something to do in London, and there’s a thriving technology community of students from all around the world.

To find out more about our foundation programmes in London, use our online coursefinder. ONCAMPUS London has partnerships with six University of London colleges, and also allows international students to apply to universities across the UK via UCAS for undergraduate courses, or directly to each university for postgraduate courses.

We partner with the top universities in London, many of which are known for excellent graduate employment. ONCAMPUS London South Bank, for instance, offers tailored undergraduate foundation programmes, with progression to London South Bank University.