Module: Financial Technology Entrepreneurship

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Financial Technology Entrepreneurship
Module Code	FBA1042 (ITS: EF5187)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

Financial Technology Entrepreneurship is an immersive Semester 1 module designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills essential for launching and managing startups in the rapidly evolving FinTech sector. The course amalgamates critical aspects of entrepreneurial theory with practical applications, focusing on innovation, organizational agility, and change management. Aligned with Ireland's national 'Ireland for Finance' strategy, the module develops crucial capabilities in Human Experience Skills, Reimagination Skills, and Pivoting Skills, facilitating adaptability in a dynamic financial landscape. Furthermore, this module serves as an invaluable primer for career development, enhancing job readiness by offering experiential learning opportunities and skill-building exercises.

Learning Outcomes

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2. Students will be able to critically evaluate various opportunities in the FinTech startup ecosystem, assessing their viability and potential impact on the market.
4. 11
5. 1
6. 1E5B3BA8-9D5E-0001-FC8D-1C41108AE3A0
7. Students will synthesize knowledge of financial technologies, business strategy, and market demands to design and implement a comprehensive business model for a FinTech startup.
9. 10
10. 2
11. 1E5B3BA8-A839-0001-C317-1E921CD06600
12. Students will demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing technological landscapes and market conditions, employing effective change management strategies in a FinTech setting.
14. 17
15. 3
16. 1E5B3BA8-B0DE-0001-81BE-19171F50DBF0
17. Students will develop the ability to articulate and communicate innovative FinTech ideas effectively to diverse stakeholders, including team members, investors, and clients.
19. 20
20. 4

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	18	Reflective learning environments to provide guidance on course content. (alternative delivery mode to formal lectures)
Workshop	18	Practice-oriented project work, held each week, to emphasis the practical meaning of seminar material through applied project work
Workshop	18	Industry workshop - industry guided project implementation
Assignment Completion	76	Work related to assignments
Independent Study	57.5	Work to prepare for classes
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	21103	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Michael Dowling	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Presentation	Pitch deck presentation: Students will prepare and deliver a 5-10 minute pitch deck for a FinTech startup concept, targeting potential investors.	20%	Week 3
Report(s)	Change management report: Students will write a case study analysis on a FinTech company that had to navigate significant change or disruption, examining the strategies used and proposing alternative solutions.	20%	Week 6
Group presentation	Business model canvas: Groups will construct a detailed business model canvas for their startup idea, articulating value propositions, customer segments, channels, and revenue streams.	30%	Week 9
Report(s)	Students will develop a comprehensive business plan for the startup idea from their group project. The plan should demonstrate how the startup will navigate the complexities of the FinTech landscape, from regulatory challenges to scaling the business.	30%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

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