More about HKUST(GZ)
FINANCIAL
PHD OVERVIEW
Program Name
- Master of Philosophy in Financial Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy in Financial Technology
Program Short Name
- MPhil(FinTech)
- PhD(FinTech)
Mode of Study
- Full-time
- Part-time
Normative Program Duration
-
MPhil
Full-time: 2 yearsPart-time: 4 years
-
phD
Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)Part-time: 6 years
Program Advisor
- Program Head: Prof Ning CAI
Introduction
Financial Technology (FinTech) is an important emerging area that has been developing rapidly in recent years.It refers to the application of cutting-edge technologies and advanced analytics on various financial services, such as mobile banking, peer-to-peer lending, digital payments, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies, aiming to improve service efficiency, promote financial innovations, and increase end-user satisfaction.
FinTech is a priority development area at HKUST. The proposed program nurtures young talents, equips students with knowledge and skills that generate research and innovative solutions to meet the challenges posed by this emerging field, and facilitates collaboration amongst Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and countries in nearby regions on FinTech education, research and commercialization, while strengthening knowledge transfer to bridge Hong Kong’s gap in high-tech manufacturing. This matches well with the University’s mission to advance learning and knowledge through teaching andresearch.
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs in Financial Technology provide training and education for students to undertake advanced research and have a sound grasp of developments in FinTech.
Students graduating from these programs should be able to conduct and apply high-quality research that makes an impact on FinTech research and practice in academia and/or industry.
The programs focus on advanced research with an aim to place graduates in academia, research institutes, and industry jobs that appreciate research capability and quality.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:
MPhil
01
Identify and synthesize current research in FinTech;
02
Compare and contrast state-of-the-art knowledge in FinTech and relevant reference disciplines (e.g., accounting, finance, computer science, mathematics), and apply such knowledge in driving FinTech research, practice, and innovation;
03
Analyze, design, and execute FinTech research by utilizing proper research methodologies; and
04
Communicate the developed FinTech knowledge and research with the academic and practitioner community.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
PhD
01
Identify and synthesize current research in FinTech;
02
Compare and contrast state-of-the-art knowledge in FinTech and relevant reference disciplines (e.g., accounting, finance, computer science, mathematics), and apply such knowledge in driving FinTech research, practice, and innovation;
03
Analyze, design, and execute FinTech research by utilizing proper research methodologies;
04
Communicate the developed FinTech knowledge and research with the academic and practitioner community; and
05
Create original, substantive, and impactful knowledge to advance the state of FinTech research and practice.
Note:
For MPhil in FTEC, please visit https://vptlo.hkust-gz.edu.cn/ or contact rbm@hkust-gz.edu.cn for details.
PHD PROGRAM SPECIFICS
Program Progression
First Year coursework
Qualifying Written Exam Fin+Tech
Qualifying Oral Exam
First year survey paper + oral presentation
PhD candidacy
Other required coursework
Thesis and oral defense
PhD degree conferred
Curriculum
Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 15 credits
PhD: 21 credits
* Credit Transfer: Students who have taken equivalent courses at HKUST or other recognized universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 credits for MPhil students, and 6 credits for PhD students.
1
Cross-disciplinary Core Courses
2 Credits
UCMP 6010
Cross-disciplinary Research Methods I
2 Credit(s)
UCMP 6020
Cross-disciplinary Research Methods II
2 Credit(s)
UCMP 6030
Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking I
2 Credit(s)
UCMP 6040
Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking II
2 Credit(s)
All students are required to complete either IIMP 6010 or IIMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning Committee.
2
Two Hub Core Courses
4 Credits
Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Society Hub and at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.
Society Hub:
SOCH 5000
Technological Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
2 Credit(s)
Hub Core Course of other 3 Hubs (Hub core Course from other three hubs:
FUNH 5000
Introduction to Function Hub for Sustainable Future
2 Credit(s)
INFH 5000
Information Science and Technology: Essentials and Trends
2 Credit(s)
SYSH 5000
Model-Based Systems Engineering
2 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Society Hub and at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.
3
Program Required Courses
FTEC 5101
Microeconomic Theory *
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 5031
Advanced Probability Theory *
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 5032
Optimization Theory *
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 5040
Financial Technology Research
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 5100
Research in Corporate Finance *
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 5110
Research in Asset pricing *
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 5030
Statistics for Fintech *
3 Credit(s)
* PQE required. Finished in the first year.
Program Required CoursesProgram Required CoursesProgram Required Courses
4
Program Elective Courses
To meet individual needs, students will be taking courses in different areas, which may include but not limited to courses and areas listed below.
FTEC 5050
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
3 Credit(s)
FTEC 6000
FinTech Attachment
2-4 Credit(s)
ACCT 7720
Doctoral Seminar – Research in Managerial Accounting, Auditing and
Governance
4 Credit(s)
ACCT 7730
Doctoral Seminar – Research in Financial Accounting
4 Credit(s)
ACCT 7740
Empirical Research in Governance, Contracting and Auditing
2-4 Credit(s)
COMP 5211
Advanced Artificial Intelligence
3 Credit(s)
COMP 5212
Machine Learning
3 Credit(s)
COMP 5221
Natural Language Processing
3 Credit(s)
COMP 5631
Cryptography and Security
3 Credit(s)
COMP 6211
Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
3 Credit(s)
COMP 6613
Topics in Applications of Computer Science and Engineering
3 Credit(s)
ECON 5040
Economics of Financial Technology
2 Credit(s)
ECON 5130
Microeconomic Analysis
4 Credit(s)
ECON 5210
Microeconomic Theory I
4 Credit(s)
ECON 5300
Econometrics
4 Credit(s)
FINA 7900
ATheoretical Corporate Finance
3 Credit(s)
FINA 7900
BTheoretical Asset Pricing
3 Credit(s)
FINA 7900
CEmpirical Corporate Finance
3 Credit(s)
FINA 7900
DEmpirical Asset Pricing
3 Credit(s)
MATH 5470
Statistical Machine Learning
3 Credit(s)
MATH 5471
Statistical Learning Models for Text and Graph Data
3 Credit(s)
MATH 6510
Topics in Financial Mathematics
2-4 Credit(s)
5
PhD Qualifying Examination (PQE)
The objective of the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination is to assess students’ general knowledge of Fintech area and understanding of fundamental principles, as well as the ability to apply these principles to solving problems. The PQE provides an early assessment of students’ potential to meet the requirements to obtain their doctoral degree. Ph.D. students are required to pass the qualifying examination within the first 22 months after admission, with a maximum of two attempts.
The PQE at the Fintech Thrust consists of two components, a first-year critical survey paper and a written comprehensive exam.
Please see detailed PQE guidelines below (link to files):
6
Postgraduate Seminar
FTEC 6101
FinTech Program Seminar
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete FTEC 6101 or its equivalent. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
7
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training
All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
PDEV 6800
Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
0 Credit(s)
8
Professional Development Course Requirement
PDEV 6770
Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
***PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning Committee.
SOCH 6780
Professional Development in Innovation, Technology, and Social Responsibility
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to complete SOCH 6780. The 1 credit earned from SOCH 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
***PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed SOCH 6780 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking SOCH 6780, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning Committee.
9
English Language Requirement
LANG 5000 Foundation in Listening & Speaking for Postgraduate Students 1 Credit(s)
Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
LANG 5001
Postgraduate English for Engineering Research Studies
1 Credit(s)
LANG 5002
Postgraduate English for Business and Social Science Studies
1 Credit(s)
LANG 5010
Postgraduate English for Science Studies
1 Credit(s)
Students are required to take one of the above three courses. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
Students can be exempted from taking this course with the approval of the Program Planning Committee.
10
Graduation Thesis
FTEC 6990
MPhil Thesis Research
0 Credit(s)
FTEC 7990
Doctoral Thesis Research
0 Credit(s)
MPhil:
- i.Registration in FTEC 6990; and
- ii.Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
- i.Registration in FTEC 7990; and
- ii.Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
For details on the policies and procedures on your graduation thesis, please refer to the student handbooks’ Guidelines on Thesis Research section.
PHD ADMISSION
Admission Requirements
Admission and Application
Interview