MSc in Global Financial Information Systems (GFIS)

Course details

The Masters of Science in Global Financial Information Systems (MSc in GFIS) commenced in September 2012. The MSc in GFIS (Level 9) was developed in response to the current and future demand from the Financial Services (FS) industry, for hybrid finance-technology graduates with a specific focus on the application of ICT to Financial Services.

Developed in conjunction with a number of FS companies from Ireland and the UK, the objective of the MSc in GFIS is to enable high calibre graduates to rapidly develop quantitative, analytical, and ICT skills and experience, embedded in a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Financial Services.

However, the depth, standard and transferability of the skill-set and knowledge acquired on the programme, also means that graduates are in demand from companies in other professional industries. The MSc in GFIS was also shortlisted as Best New Course of the Year at the Postgrad Ireland Awards held at the Mansion House, Dublin in April 2015.

The programme is delivered over a period whereby the first are spent on-campus at WIT, and the final 3 months comprise of a Professional Internship.

The delivery method is innovative and challenging, consisting of lectures, ICT workshops and e-learning, group work, industry focused problem based learning, presentations, a seminar series with industry experts, and educational visits to the headquarters of Financial Services organisations. The programme also integrates the research activities of the WIT AIB Centre for Finance and Business Research.

Modules

Semester 1

• Data Modeling and Analysis
• Seminar Series
• Econometrics
• IS Project Management
• Financial Derivatives

Semester 2

• Business Intelligence
• Global Banking Transaction & Payment Systems
• Global Financial IS Security, Continuity & Ethics
• Global Risk Management and Regulation
• Corporate Financial Interpretation

Semester 3

• Professional Internship
• Financial Information Systems Research Project

ICT and Communications Skills

The programme provides students with training on a wide range of software including:

SWIFT e-Learning Software: (1) SWIFT Introduction; (2) SWIFT and International Payment Systems; (3) SWIFT Guide to the Securities Market.

• Oracle, MS Access, and SQL
• ERwin Data Modeler
• SAP BI and Business Warehousing
• Advanced Excel Analysis
• MS Project
• StockTrak
• Thomson One Banker
• Financial Times
• SPSS
• Social media for business applications
• e-Conferencing/e-Meeting applications.
• Video Conferencing
• Presentation skills
• Report writing skills

Overview of Eligibility Requirements

The MSc GFIS accepts applications from;

All graduates of Business or Technology undergraduate degree programmes who have achieved an honours grade (2.2) or higher.

Graduates from other undergraduate degree programmes, including Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, etc., who have achieved an honours grade (2.2) or higher, are also eligible to apply. In fact, undergraduates from Archaeology, Mathematics, Construction Studies, Social Studies, Engineering, Science, Business (General, Economics, Management, Accounting, Marketing, Finance, and HR) and Computing and ICT have all successfully completed the MSc in GFIS.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.