Kaniz Aeliya – FinTech and Policy MSc

“The academic staff go above and beyond in preparing the content for this course which involves presentations, pre-recorded videos, case studies, guest lectures and seminars. They are also available for office hours every week and the access students have to journals and publications are immensely helpful.”

Surrey is fantastic. It’s strategically located so you can take a quick train to all the fun things in London, or in the opposite direction to enjoy the great outdoors hiking and walking in the Surrey Hills. You get the best of both city and country life. The campus itself has so much to offer and all the academic resources and staff make for a great experience.

I was already working in financial services in the US for a couple of years before deciding to return to full-time education. Surrey offered a unique and up-to-date course with a combination of modules within the MSc Fintech and Policy programme which was my priority. I wanted to upskill myself in all things data, including data analysis and data modelling, as well as understanding the theoretical aspects of how data is being used by fintech companies around the world. I wanted to gain an overview of machine learning algorithms, as well as technical and ethical aspects of artificial intelligence. This course offered a unique blend of modules focused on Data Analysis, Python programming, ethical and regulatory aspects of data utilisation in artificial intelligent systems, as well as the theoretical understanding of the evolving fintech landscape including Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, DeFi, InsurTech and RegTech.

The academic staff go above and beyond in preparing the content for this course, which involves presentations, pre-recorded videos, case studies, guest lectures and seminars. They are also available for office hours every week and the access students have to journals and publications is immensely helpful.

I live in Manor Park and the residences are fantastic. They’re so spacious, quiet and comfortable in beautiful surroundings. The proximity to Surrey Sports Park is great and living in university accommodation means you get to meet people from all over the world. On that note, it’s a great idea to be a part of a club or society which allows you to meet people with whom you share common interests outside of your academic programme. I spend a lot of free time on campus at the Lakeside Restaurant and Coffee Shop and by the lake when the sun is out.

There are lots of resources you can reach out to for any kind of help that you may need, whether its support with your day-to-day life, academics or information about campus. Tutors are very generous with their time and always available for help and MySurreyHive is a great place to just walk into and ask about anything. Beyond the lectures and seminars, tutors are always available for guidance and advise on career paths. There are several resources available for information on job opportunities, placements, career fairs and networking events. A lot of major companies regularly organise events to facilitate student interaction with industry folks. The skills and knowledge that I have gained during my time at Surrey have been a valuable extension to my prior work experience, and I’m eagerly looking forward to applying them to the next phase of my career.

“To any students thinking about postgraduate study, I would say take the time to explore and research courses that are being offered. You should also look at the optional modules on each course and it should really be about what you want to study and what direction you want for your career.”

I feel great about acquiring skills and knowledge that are current with the financial and technology world. It’s made me relate better to a lot of job opportunities in the finance and tech world. I plan to return to the corporate world, in a role where I can leverage my newly acquired skills gained from my MSc Fintech and Policy at Surrey. I’m extremely pleased with my decision to study at Surrey. It’s a great university with plenty of resources to offer, great academic support, world-class facilities, students from around the world, and a strategic location that lets you enjoy the very best of the UK.

Discover our MSc Fintech and Policy course.