Applied Financial Services Project
Overview
This unit, by taking a cross-disciplinary approach, provides students with an interactive platform to gain practical experience working on applied FinTech-based business problems or opportunities for an actual client. Students will prepare and present a professional report on their findings and recommendations to their client. This unit provides the tools and rationale for students to understand and actively assist incumbent financial services institutions to embrace and integrate FinTech innovation capabilities. This is done through applied projects supported by a combination of actual cases, complex problems, interactive lectures, class discussions, industry mentoring sessions and applied tools.
Requisites
100 credit points
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Critically evaluate sustainable and actionable FinTech innovation strategic roadmaps by synthesizing information from a broad range of high-quality sources
- Research and critically evaluate, using robust and relevant evidence, the potential of new technologies to create innovative digital banking products, processes and services
- Systematically and methodically apply advanced project management fundamentals to design and implement innovative solutions directly related to complex financial services problems or business opportunities
- Demonstrate professional behaviours through effective leadership, teamwork and communication skills with all project stakeholders
- Reflect on FinTech as a vehicle for the application of entrepreneurial thought
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 9.50 | 12 weeks | 114 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Plan | Group | 10 - 20% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Progress Report | Group | 20 - 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Reflective Journal | Individual | 25 - 45% | 1,2,3,5 |
| Report and Presentation | Group | 25 - 35% | 1,2,3,4 |
Content
- Blockchain, AI, Robo-Advisors, Machine Learning: A Wave of Change in Professional Services
- FinTech and APIs: Bank as a Platform
- InsurTech, WealthTech and RegTech: Towards the Next Revolution of Digital Transformation in Financial ServicesÂ
- Data Transparency and Open Banking (Open Standards; Open Source; Open Data Options; Open Service Innovation; Cybersecurity)
- Inclusive Finance
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.