The Complete Guide To Study Fintech in Malaysia

This program provides pedagogy in Financial Technology (Fintech) which is a combination of finance and IT. Within the more than three years learning process, students managed to learn about Blockchain, Digital Banking, and Cyberspace Security with the assistance of APU and UTM, etc. Digitization opens up opportunities for employment in the banking sector, new-generation cryptocurrency, and fintech start-ups.

Country

Malaysia

Duration

3 Years

Fees

$7,500+ Yearly

Field

Computer Science

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Program Overview

Financial Technology, also called FINTECH, is a promising field of education that combines technology with finance. It covers various applications, including blockchain, digital banking, mobile payments, cryptocurrency, etc. With traditional financial services adapting to the innovations and advancements of technology, demand for FINTECH professionals is rapidly increasing, making it a valuable and beneficial field of education for students.

Getting an education in financial technology can enable you to understand the unique yet significant intersecting point between finance and technology, which can transform the world. Finance is one of the foundational fields of study, and it is necessary for almost every industry and business around the globe. Integrating technology into finance makes it much less complicated and enhances the efficiency of financial operations like never before. Therefore, the growing adaption of the world towards technology has given rise to the demand for FINTECH professionals, which has opened up a vast array of career opportunities for students who have either a degree or diploma in the field. Be it insurance, regulatory bodies, investment, technology, or tech-based startups – FINTECH professionals who can best utilize their skills to handle financial matters using the latest technology are needed by almost every business and organization. Therefore, studying financial technology can be the most ideal decision you can make as a student who might have an interest in finance.

Getting an education in financial technology can enable you to understand the unique yet significant intersecting point between finance and technology, which can transform the world. Finance is one of the foundational fields of study, and it is necessary for almost every industry and business around the globe. Integrating technology into finance makes it much less complicated and enhances the efficiency of financial operations like never before. Therefore, the growing adaption of the world towards technology has given rise to the demand for FINTECH professionals, which has opened up a vast array of career opportunities for students who have either a degree or diploma in the field. Be it insurance, regulatory bodies, investment, technology, or tech-based startups – FINTECH professionals who can best utilize their skills to handle financial matters using the latest technology are needed by almost every business and organization. Therefore, studying financial technology can be the most ideal decision you can make as a student who might have an interest in finance.

The most commonly taught courses in any degree or diploma program of FINTECH include an introduction to FINTECH, Financial Markets, and institutions, blockchain and Cryptocurrency, data analytics in finance, digital banking and payments, Cybersecurity in fintech, regulatory and compliance issues, programming for fintech, artificial intelligence in finance, and fintech entrepreneurship. The top universities of Malaysia offering a degree or diploma program in FINTECH can be listed as follows:
  1. 1. APU
  2. ⁠2. UTM
  3. ⁠3. UKM
  4. ⁠4. Nottingham Malaysia
  5. 5. ⁠MMU
Why Study FINTECH?
There are many reasons why studying FINTECH could be your best academic choice in recent times; a few prominent among them can be described as follows:

High Demand: With financial services adapting to digital transformation at an unstoppable pace, the demand for FINTECH professionals is continuously growing. Organizations worldwide, be it tech startups or giant financial institutions, seek professionals who can use technology best to advance their financial operations and bring ultimate efficiency to them. Therefore, studying the field can certainly open up a door to versatile career opportunities for students, allowing them to make a choice that suits their long-term dreams and aspirations.

Interdisciplinary Learning: FINTECH is a multidisciplinary field of education at the intersection of many exciting subjects, such as regulatory knowledge, technology, and finance. The field’s interdisciplinary nature helps students learn about various subjects and fields. Therefore, as a FINTECH graduate, you can equip yourself with multiple skills ranging from programming financial analysis to data analytics, enabling you to be worthy in various professional contexts.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Fintech is an evolving field that offers many opportunities for entrepreneurship. The sector is known for its immense focus on innovation, and we can see the continuous emergence of small-scale startups in the industry. Therefore, pursuing education in the field can help you develop your financial products or platforms, leading to a successful entrepreneurial journey.

Global Relevance: The best part about financial technology is that it’s a global phenomenon with applications worldwide. So, as a FINTECH student, you will prepare yourself for an international career, as all the theories, principles, or methodologies you’d be studying can be applied everywhere around the globe. This global relevance of the field makes it an exciting academic choice for students. It offers diverse working opportunities for those who excel at learning the ins and outs of financial technology.

Why Study FINTECH in Malaysia?
There are several reasons you should study FINTECH in Malaysia. The best among them include the following:

Quality Education:  Malaysia is known for being home to all the highly accredited and globally renowned universities that offer the best FINTECH courses. Each of these courses and programs is accredited by professional global bodies such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), which ensures that quality education is offered to students who meet international standards. The curriculum has been rigorously developed with the latest developments in the world’s economy and upcoming trends in mind.

Affordable Tuition Fee: Unlike most educational institutions, Malaysia offers affordable fees. While ensuring that the best quality education is provided and that global standards are not compromised, Malaysian universities offer low-cost study options, making themselves an attractive destination for students with high-end academic dreams.

Strategic Location & International Exposure: Located in the very central heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia offers strategic access to almost every economically growing state. It is an easy-to-access study destination for students aiming to get a quality education abroad and simultaneously experience an international perspective of fintech.

Vibrant Student Life: Universities of Malaysia are known for offering vibrant campus lives for both local and international students. These all-inclusive educational centers welcome students from varying cultures, allowing them to engage with each other, enjoy multicultural festivities, and experience a fun-loving study environment where their academics are always complemented with the best extra-curricular activities to ensure a balanced life.

Career Prospects: As a dynamic and ever-growing field, FINTECH offers students diverse yet great career opportunities. Additionally, thanks to the significant intersection of different subjects, including technology, finance, and so on, there are multiple industries the students of financial technology can opt from and make a career in which they find themselves a perfect fit. Look at some of the most promising and high-paying career opportunities for FINTECH graduates!

FINTECH Analyst: The core job responsibilities of a fintech analyst are analyzing financial data and aligning it with trending technology patterns to assist with business decisions and strategies in the long run. They are often responsible for working with data analytics tools to extract insightful financial information and market patterns from the gathered data sets. These extracted insights can greatly value business decisions and help enhance revenues and profits. The critical skills required by a fintech analyst usually include financial modeling, data analysis, programming, and a thorough understanding of data visualization tools.

Blockchain Developer : The core job role of a blockchain developer is to design and develop blockchain solutions that can help enhance the working dynamics. They are often required to create decentralized applications that can assist in carrying out secure digital transactions and smart contracts. The common skills needed for a blockchain developer usually include understanding cryptography, blockchain platforms, distributed ledger technologies, contract languages, etc. With the continuous adoption of technology worldwide, blockchain developers have become necessary in almost every industry, including healthcare, finance, tech startups, etc.

Cybersecurity Specialist: The core job responsibility of a Cybersecurity specialist is to ensure the safety and security of financial technology systems against any cyber threats. They are usually required to develop and implement efficient security protocols, assess system vulnerabilities, and promptly respond to security incidents. The common skills required by cybersecurity analysts include cryptography, network security, risk assessment, ethical hacking, and a decent understanding of cybersecurity frameworks. These professionals can work in various industries, from banking and insurance to tech-based companies and government agencies.

Product Manager: The critical job responsibility of a product manager is to lead and overview the complete design, development, and implementation of FINTECH products or services. They are often required to coordinate between stakeholders, technical teams, and customers to ensure the products or services under development are a definite success. The critical skills needed for a product manager usually include market research, product lifecycle management, project management, UI/UX designing, and agile methodology. Tech startups, software companies, and financial service providers always search for competent product managers.

Program Duration

Undergraduate Programs

  1. 1. Bachelors in FINTECH (3-4 years typically)

Postgraduate Programs

  1. 1. Master’s Degree in FINTECH (1-2 years typically) 
  2. 2. Doctorate (PhD) in FINTECH (3-5 years typically)
Entry Requirements
The general entry requirements set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) are implied and followed by every professional university in Malaysia. They can be described as follows:
Undergraduate Programs

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A-Levels (at least two passes)
  2. 2. Matriculation/Foundation (at least 2.00 CGPA)
  3. 3. Diploma (a course-relevant diploma with at least a 2.00 CGPA)
  4. 4. Unified Examination Certificate (at least five Bs)
  5. 5. STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) ( at least 2.00 CGPA)

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.
Post Graduate Programs (Masters’ Degree)

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A relevant bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.00 CGPA

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals. 
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students. 
Postgraduate Programs (Doctorate – PhD)

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A relevant master’s degree with at least a 3.00 CGPA.
  2. 2. A well-crafted and subject-relevant research proposal is to be submitted.

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.
Fee and Costing
The fee structures for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma programs in Malaysia vary based on the program you’ve chosen, the institution you might be looking for, the duration of study, etc. However, the generic cost of a bachelor’s degree in Malaysia may be between 20,000 MYR and 70,000 MYR (an estimated 5,000 USD to 17,500 USD) a year.
Postgraduate programs, however, may cost a bit higher, ranging from 25,000 MYR to 80,000 MYR (an estimated 6,250 USD to 20,000 USD) a year. The range is often similar for both master’s and doctorate programs. However, the total expense of doctorate programs might vary based on the nature and duration of the research involved.
However, the good news is that most Malaysian universities offer scholarships and financial aid to help students needing financial assistance. Many flexible payment plans are also provided to help accommodate students without strong financial backgrounds but a will for bright academic careers.
Accommodation
Malaysian universities offer versatile accommodation facilities that suit each student’s diverse needs and requirements. As a foreign student landing in an entirely new destination for studies, accommodation could be a significant issue for you. But you need not worry because most Malaysian Universities offer a wide range of options, including hostels, dormitories, and even spacious apartment residences. You can pick what suits your needs and comes under your budget, and boom – enjoy all the excellent facilities they offer along with the comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation.

The shared facilities and amenities usually include :

  1. 1. Study desks
  2. 2. Beds
  3. 3. Attached bathrooms 
  4. 4. Fully functional kitchens or pantries include a microwave, electric kettle, stove, fridge, etc. 
  5. 5. Laundry rooms
  6. 6. Socializing areas
  7. 7. Recreational activities 
  8. 8. 24/7 security surveillance
Admission Procedure

The admission process for getting into Malaysian Universities typically comprises multiple steps, including submission of an application, verification of the documents, eligibility assessment, and, in some cases, entrance exams or interviews etc. While it can be overwhelming and tedious to handle all that pressure while preparing for your entrance exams and interviews, TJS Study Steps can be your savior and simplify the admission process like never before. Here’s how the experts from TJS Study Steps can help during each stage of the admission procedure and ease you from the hassle!

  1. 1. We have added featured university and program guides on our website that experts from the industry have prepared. These guides can help you pick the finest universities and programs from a widespread palate as per your academic goals and aspirations. 
  2. 2. Filling out the lengthy application forms can be exhausting; our team’s experts know how to ease you from that hassle. They offer professional assistance to the students in filling out correct information and attaching the required documents with their applications without any error to ensure the admission process goes smoothly. 
  3. 3. TJS Study Steps also has documentation experts onboard who can help you gather all the required documents, such as transcripts, personal statements, certificates, and so on. 
  4. 4. We also track your applications on your behalf and inform you of their progress in real-time. 
  5. 5. If a university invites you to an interview or entrance exam, TJS can also assist you in your preparation and ensure you perform well and get selected.
  6. 6. Once you’ve secured admission at a university in Malaysia, the next step is to get a student Visa, and we also provide total guidance for the Visa application process. 
  7. 7. Last but not least, TJS Study Steps ensures your well-being abroad. From booking the best flights at affordable rates to assisting you with a city tour, we help you adjust to the city.
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