Financial Technologies

The study program of master studies Financial Technologies lasts 1 year (2 semesters), and consists of 60 ECTS, belonging to the field of social and humanities sciences and gives the professional title of Master Economist, area of ​​Economic Sciences. 

The goal of the study program is the education and training of experts for positions that require advanced and interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of financial technologies. The outcome of the learning process is aligned with the national qualification framework, ensuring that the graduate student possesses both academic and professional competencies related to modern financial systems, digital innovations, and technological applications in the financial sector. This includes a critical understanding of key theories, models, and tools in areas such as blockchain, digital payments, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and financial regulation. In this way, our students will be equipped to solve dynamic problems, especially in non-standard and technologically driven environments. They will be capable of applying effective communication and collaboration skills across diverse professional and cultural contexts, as well as competently using digital platforms, software tools, and devices relevant to the FinTech industry. 

This study program is single structure program, which means there are no modules within it. 

The content of the study program, study rules, rights and obligations of students, and other important issues for the implementation of the study program is going to be printed every year as a separate publication, which is available to the public in electronic form. 

The conditions for admission to the study program and other elements of the program are prescribed by the Statute, the Regulation on the Rules of Studies of the Faculty of Economics and Business and the Regulation on the Enrollment of Students in Study Programs of the University of Kragujevac. Candidates are enrolled based on a competition announced by the University of Kragujevac and implemented by the Faculty of Economics and Business. In order for a candidate to apply for enrollment in master academic studies, he or she must have completed undergraduate academic studies with a volume of at least 240 ECTS credits. All candidates must pass the entrance exam defined by the conditions of the Competition, regardless of the scientific field of its bachelor degree.  

The purpose of the master study program Financial Technologies (FinTech), is to ensure advanced knowledge and competence in the domain of digital finance, blockchain technologies, financial data analytics, financial risk management, payment systems and artificial intelligence,. The emphasis is on integrating and harmonizing technological and financial approaches, combining theoretical and practical knowledge from finance, computer science, and business innovation. The study program focuses on understanding and applying modern digital tools and platforms in the financial sector, analyzing emerging trends in financial services, and addressing challenges related to the digital transformation of the global financial industry. Special attention is given to the development of interdisciplinary skills necessary for designing, implementing, and managing innovative FinTech solutions in a rapidly evolving economic and technological environment. 

The Financial Technologies master study program follows dynamic changes in the environment, meeting the needs for new competencies, knowledge, and skills required for financial experts, to successfully perform different duties in financial institutions, analytical agencies and technological companies. The program continuously monitors development in the field of finance and technological progress. Its modern teaching program provides education for economists, experts in financial institutions, financial analysts, business informatics in software development companies, etc. 

The purpose of the study program is to prepare students for complex and dynamic practice in changing environment of financial and technological development, as well as for further education and professional development. In addition to the creation of competent, educational profiles, following the requirements of the labor market, the purpose of this study program is to prepare students for further training in doctoral academic studies in the field of economics. 

The objectives of the master study program in Financial Technologies are centered on the education and development of highly qualified experts with specialized competencies in the application of advanced technologies within the financial sector.  

The objectives of this study program are: 

• To equip students with a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of digital finance, covering core areas such as electronic payments, artificial intelligence in finance, risk and portfolio analysis, digital business organization, and investment decision-making. 

• To develop critical thinking and practical skills, enabling students to assess, apply, and synthesize knowledge in rapidly evolving financial technology environments. 

• To provide students with the necessary competencies for performing economic and analytical work in companies and institutions, both domestically and internationally. 

• To foster the ability to recognize, formulate, and analyze complex problems in digital finance, encouraging an analytical, innovative, and strategic approach to both theoretical and real-world challenges. 

• To support academic and professional growth through a dynamic and structured curriculum, designed to gradually advance students’ expertise. 

• To allow for progressive specialization based on individual interests, through the selection of elective courses tailored to the student’s academic goals and the program’s level and cycle of education. 

By attending the study program, the student acquires knowledge and skills in the field of finance and technology driven progress, which should make him capable of individual work, as well as teamwork, to solve specific problems in the aforementioned field. The program is designed to enable the creation of a competent educational profile, in accordance with the demands of the labor market, the directions of modern economic development, and the defined qualification framework. Upon completion of master studies, the student can decide to build a career through the acquisition of concrete business experience, as well as to continue his studies at the level of doctoral studies. 

By completing the master study program in Financial Technologies, the student acquires the following general abilities:

• the ability to think analytically and logically, to formulate data-driven assumptions, and to draw conclusions using formal and computational methods relevant to digital finance;
• the ability to independently lead and manage complex, technology-driven financial projects with full accountability and strategic insight;
• the ability to communicate effectively in professional and interdisciplinary environments, as well as to organize, coordinate, and mentor teams in digital and financial settings;
• the capacity for continuous professional development, embracing a proactive attitude toward lifelong learning and innovation in the FinTech sector;
• the ability to monitor, interpret, and critically assess current trends in financial technologies, digital transformation, and the broader socio-economic context;
• the ability to analyze and evaluate various models, frameworks, and tools in financial theory and practice, and to apply and improve them in real-world, tech-oriented contexts;
• the ability for critical and self-reflective thinking, including ethical reasoning and independent judgment in decision-making processes;
• the ability to effectively present the outcomes of analytical work, research, and projects, both in written and oral form;
• the ability to identify and solve complex problems, including those arising in non-standard, volatile, or technologically dynamic conditions;
• the commitment to professional ethics, data integrity, privacy, and responsible application of digital tools in financial environments.

The competencies that the student acquires upon completion of the study program of master academic studies in Financial Technologies refer to the adoption of advanced methodological, quantitative, and technological knowledge necessary for understanding and analyzing the dynamic structure of modern financial systems; mastering the skills required to perform highly specialized, managerial, and analytical tasks in the domains of electronic payments, artificial intelligence applications in finance, investment analysis, risk portfolio management, and risk management in financial institutions; developing the ability to critically assess and apply financial technologies in practical and strategic contexts; understanding the nature, structure, and challenges of digital financial services and the capacity to address complex financial problems through data-driven and innovative approaches; acquiring the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders in both domestic and international environments, including the European Union; solving complex organizational and technological problems in finance through integrated use of theoretical knowledge, practical tools, and digital platforms; combining acquired competencies in finance, technology, and management to design, evaluate, and implement effective FinTech solutions; and understanding professional and ethical responsibilities in the broader context of digital transformation, financial inclusion, data protection, and sustainable economic development.