Hamza Khawar Khan

Why did you choose City St George’s, University of London?

I chose to pursue my master’s degree at City St George’s, University of London as it simply felt like the right fit for me, both professionally and personally. I was drawn to City St George’s strong academic reputation, its lively campus, diverse extracurricular activities, and active alumni network. Together all these elements promised an environment that would both challenge and inspire me.

City St George’s location in London also played a crucial role in my decision. Studying in the heart of London offered a unique experience itself as after all, it’s London. Being so close to some of the world’s leading financial firms meant I had access to real-world opportunities that extended beyond the classroom.

Finally, the MSc in Financial Technology and Systems was the perfect fit for my career goals. It offered the perfect blend of academic knowledge with practical industry-focused skills, exactly what I needed to help me transition and prepare for a successful career in fintech.
For me, City St George’s wasn’t just a place to study, it was the ideal environment to grow both professionally and personally.

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

The MSc in Financial Technology and Systems equipped me with essential skills to transition from a background in Accounting and Economics to FinTech. The practical nature of the course enabled me to significantly enhance my soft skills through experiences such as presentations, professional meetings, networking events, and an investment pitch to FinTech experts.
Coming from a finance background, I initially lacked the technical skills needed in FinTech. However, throughout the course, I gained hands-on experience with industry-leading tools, such as business intelligence software, data analysis tools, and even had the opportunity to use Bloomberg trading terminals. I was also able to develop programming skills in Python, which has been invaluable for my technical growth.

What are your career plans and how has City St George's prepared you for them?

During my Master’s, one of the compulsory modules I took was Big Data Analytics in Finance, which solidified my interest in pursuing a data-related role after university. The skills I developed in this module were directly applicable to my dissertation on the ‘Application of Generative AI in Fraud Detection’ and after University - These same skills have been essential in securing a Data Graduate role at Starling Bank, a leading FinTech company.

What services within your School or the University have you used during your studies?

The university library quickly became a very good friend of mine. Whether I needed a quiet place to study, borrow books, or access research material for my dissertation, it was an essential part of my academic experience.

During the course, Professor Raj (course leader) organised an extra crash course in Python programming, led by an expert. This was incredibly useful to me and served as a robust starting point for further developing my programming skills.

What advice would you give to someone considering a degree in your subject?

My advice would be to stay curious and embrace discomfort. Financial Technology is a dynamic field, and it can feel challenging, especially if you come from a non-technical background like me. But the more you work at it, the more confident you’ll become. Enjoy the learning process, it's challenging, but that's what makes it so rewarding, and once it's over, believe me, you'll miss it!

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

My favourite module would have to be either Digital Innovation and Fintech Start-Up or Big Data in Finance. The practical nature of Digital Innovation and Fintech Start-Up was extremely valuable, as it allowed us to work directly with fintech companies, giving us real-world insights and a hands-on learning experience. As for Big Data Analytics in Finance, it deepened my understanding of how data-driven decision-making is transforming the financial sector while also giving me hands-on experience with industry recognised tools and software.

What motivated you to pursue studies at university?

I always knew I wanted to experience university life, but my motivations for pursuing a Masters stem from advancements in technology. After completing my undergraduate studies, I was eager to pursue a career in finance, but with a focus on technology. That’s when I discovered this course. The driving force behind my decision to pursue a Master’s degree, and specifically this course, was to play a role in bridging the gap between finance and technology. I wanted to be part of this exciting intersection and help drive innovation.

If you could do any job related to your subject in the world, what would it be and why?

FinTech is an incredibly innovative landscape, and if I could do any job, it would be launching my own startup. The idea of creating something from the ground up that leverages modern technologies like Generative AI to improve the finance industry really excites me.