Doctor of FinTech Faculty of Business, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Special Features

• Pioneering FinTech doctorate in the world
• Benefit from pooled resources of different faculties
• Integrate academic study, applied research and management practice
• Embrace digital transformation and technological innovations
• Explore the potential of digital economics and finance
• Delve into artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship

International Collaboration

To enhance its international dimension and academic vigour, PolyU DFinTech collaborates with IMD business school in Switzerland to provide opportunities for students to join their Digital Transformation Programme.

Technological Element in the Curriculum

To help students embrace technological changes and digital transformation, five elements, namely Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Data Science, and Entrepreneurship, have been embedded across a wide range of subjects.

Our curriculum is aimed at fostering awareness about the impact of technology innovations in addition to enabling students to handle data and adopt technology to tackle business and organizational issues while enhancing management and leadership.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of 8 taught subjects (a total of 24 credits), 2 compulsory DFinTech Residentials (1 credit for DFinTech Residential 1; 2 credits for DFinTech Residential 2) and a DFinTech Thesis (8 credits for DFinTech Thesis I; 16 credits for DFinTech Thesis II).

Students are required to complete 1 compulsory subject, 1 core subject (choose 1 out of 2) and 6 taught/non-taught elective subjects1 for a total of 24 credits. All subjects are at an advanced level and students are expected to have prior knowledge and experience of each subject area.

The curriculum includes technological elements such as qualitative and experimental approaches to AI and entrepreneurship research as well as the impacts of digital transformation and technological innovations on business today, including their ethical implications.

Compulsory Subject

• Research and Design for Thesis (MM6021)

Core Subjects

• Introduction to Quantitative Research (AF6308)
• Introduction to Qualitative Research (MM6012)

Elective Subjects

Taught Subjects

• Economics of FinTech (AF6307)
• Big Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence (COMP6434)
• Cryptography and Blockchain (COMP6521)
• Digital Supply Chain Management (LGT6007)
• Smart City and Urban Informatics (LSGI653)
• Management and Marketing in the Digital World (MM6413)

Non-Taught Subjects

• Independent Studies in FinTech (AF6403/LGT6403/MM6033)
• Overseas Executive Programmes (AF6404/LGT6404/MM6034)

DFinTech Residentials

Attendance at the 2 DFinTech Residentials (LGT6411 and LGT6412) is compulsory.

DFinTech Residential 1 is a orientation workshop scheduled for the beginning of the programme.

DFinTech Residential 2 is a research workshop normally held in September/October to give students an opportunity to present their thesis proposals and to prepare them for writing the theses.

DFinTech Thesis

• DFinTech Thesis I (AF6401//LGT6401/MM6971) and DFinTech Thesis II (AF6402/LGT6402/MM6972)

The DFinTech Programme aims to educate top executives and business entrepreneurs who are interested in understanding the FinTech impacts on various industries. It has been designed to integrate academic study and management practice in a way which will form a significant part of an individual’s business career.

On completion of the programme, students will be able to advance their knowledge, skills and intellectual abilities as defined in the broad learning outcomes which are underpinned by specific learning objectives below:

General Business Knowledge

Learning Objective: Acquire a solid understanding of the impacts of digital transformation and technological innovations on the business world today with ethical implications.

Specialist Knowledge

Learning Objective: Acquire an in-depth knowledge of digital technologies in the financial industry.

Applied Research

Learning Objective: Acquire the ability to conduct original applied research in tech-related business areas.