What is Fintech?
Fintech is the field that brings finance and technology together. It allows you to send money, save, invest, or manage insurance and credit transactions directly from your phone without going to a bank.
it makes money-related tasks faster, easier, and more accessible.
This field covers a wide range of innovations such as digital payment systems, automated investment tools, identity verification solutions, and data analytics. The goal is to make financial services simpler, cheaper, and more accessible for everyone.
Why is it so popular?
- Everyone has a smartphone: Financial transactions can be done in just a few taps.
- E-commerce is growing: As online shopping increases, so does the demand for fast and secure payment solutions.
- Globalization: Sending and receiving money across borders is more common; low-cost, instant solutions are in demand.
- Inclusion: It creates opportunities for individuals and small businesses who cannot easily access banking services.
- Speed and personalization: Instant, tailored services are now the standard.
- Digital transformation: Contactless and remote transactions, accelerated by the pandemic, have become permanent.
- New financial tools: Cryptocurrencies and blockchain are reshaping both the investment and payment landscape.
World Economic Forum 2025 report highlight fintech as one of the fastest-growing career fields of the future. This makes it an important opportunity for university students.
What do people do in fintech?
- Develop payment and money transfer solutions – Contactless payments, QR code collection, low-cost international transfers.
- Digitize savings, investment, credit, and insurance processes – Apps that help users manage income and expenses or set savings goals.
- Build identity verification and security systems – Infrastructure that prevents fraud and ensures safe transactions.
- Create cryptocurrency and blockchain-based solutions – Payments with Bitcoin or Ethereum; blockchain-powered transfers without intermediaries; smart contracts that automate transactions; decentralized finance (DeFi) for peer-to-peer loans, investments, and asset trading.
- Design user-friendly digital products – Easy-to-use interfaces, quick processes, clear information.
Which university degrees are suitable?
- Computer Science / Software Engineering: Application and platform development.
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering: Payment devices, card systems, secure data transmission, and hardware–software integration.
- Management Information Systems (MIS): Combines business processes with technology, offering both technical and managerial perspectives.
- Finance / Business / Economics: Money management, risk analysis, pricing, and financial planning.
- Industrial Engineering: Process design, efficiency, and operations management.
- Mathematics / Statistics: Data analysis, modeling, and measurement.
Note: Some universities already offer bachelor’s programs in “Fintech” or “Financial Engineering.” If not available, you can reach the same goal by choosing one of the above majors and complementing it with electives, double majors, master’s studies, certificates, or projects.
Which degree fits me best?
- I like the technical side: Computer Science / Software Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- I like the business and process side: MIS, Industrial Engineering, Business
- I like the logic of money: Finance, Economics (+ data-related electives)
- I want a bit of everything: MIS or Industrial Engineering + coding/finance electives; or Computer Science + finance electives
What skills are required?
Core skills (for everyone):
- Numerical thinking and problem solving – Finding ways to make tasks shorter, simpler, and error-free.
- Financial literacy – Understanding everyday concepts like budgets, interest, installments, commissions, and risk.
- Customer-centered mindset – Asking, “How will a real user experience this screen?”
- Communication and teamwork – Working smoothly with designers, developers, legal, and marketing teams.
- Curiosity and adaptability – Keeping up with constantly evolving technologies.
- Data-driven thinking – Reading simple tables and making the right decisions.
- Ethics awareness – Protecting customer data and money.
Technical-supportive skills (optional):
- Basic coding logic – Building simple automation or digital tools.
- Security awareness – Encryption, multi-factor authentication, spotting fraud attempts.
- Product mindset – Turning an idea into a usable, measurable, and improvable product.
Conclusion
Fintech is reshaping how people interact with money by combining technology and finance. As the world rapidly digitalizes, this field opens doors for both technical and business-oriented talents. When choosing a university degree, it’s important to think not only about today’s needs but also about the future. Whether you enjoy coding, financial planning, or process design, there is a place for you in the fintech world. The key is to stay curious, open to learning, and adaptable to change.
