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42Courses

Fintech

9h

Three promises you can rely on.

A CPD-accredited Mini MBA.

Real proof of learning. Signed, dated, and easy to track.

Checked by humans, not bots.

A real person reviews what you submit and gets back to you, usually within 24 hours.

Built around your role.

Our AI reshapes each lesson using your day-to-day work, so you can actually apply it right away.


About this course

So, what exactly is fintech? Where do cryptocurrencies fit in? And what does blockchain do in the real world?

This course answers those questions and more, giving you a clear, practical starting point in a space that's growing fast, where finance and technology meet.

Fintech is one of the quickest-moving industries around right now. Its reach is huge too. It's changing things not only inside major banks, but also for people far from the usual financial centres.

During the course, developed with Barclays' fintech team, Rise, you'll learn from leaders at well-known companies and organisations such as TransferWise, The Bitcoin Foundation, Monzo, and Barclays.

You'll cover the key ideas in straightforward language. No jargon overload, and you don't need any previous knowledge to get started.

We'll walk through payments, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, insurtech, mobile banking, and more, helping you stay one step ahead of the competition.

When you finish, you'll get a certification from Barclays' Rise that you can add to your LinkedIn profile or CV.

Why go with Barclays Rise?

Rise is a global fintech platform set up by Barclays, designed to encourage new ways of improving financial services.

Since 2015, it has worked to bring together talented people in fintech to challenge the usual way of doing things in the financial industry.

With Barclays Rise, you can feel confident you're learning from experienced people who know the field inside out.

And yes, online learning can be enjoyable.

Did you know many online courses see completion rates below 10%?

A big reason is that a lot of platforms don't really consider how different learning online is from learning in a physical classroom.

At 42courses, we've put real thought into designing an online experience that feels engaging from start to finish.

You'll see storytelling, empathy-focused design, and strong visuals used to make each topic easier to remember and genuinely interesting.

Lessons are broken into short, manageable chunks you can work through at your own pace. At the end of each lesson, there are different types of questions to check you've really got it.

As you go, you'll earn points and badges, so you can track progress and compare your results with other learners.

What level of learning is this?

  • Every 42courses course is designed to teach you the basics properly (you'll finish with a solid understanding of the topic, plus the main methods, models, and best practice).
  • Real tutors assess you throughout and guide you if you get stuck.
  • You don't need any prior experience in the subject.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FINISH?

  • Most courses take about 7 to 9 hours total. There are no strict time limits, and each course is split into short, bite-sized lessons.
  • Because it's on-demand, you can start whenever you want and finish whenever you're ready. No more waiting around for someone to mark your work!

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What you'll learn:

  • Get to grips with the main cryptocurrencies
  • Understand blockchain in everyday language
  • Spot where finance is heading next
  • Find new potential investment opportunities

Who it's for

Designed with you in mind.

If you're a:

  • Someone who wants to understand where the future of finance is going
  • Someone who wants a clear, plain-English explanation of cryptocurrencies
  • A CEO or business owner looking to make fintech feel less confusing

A closer look at what's behind it.

💡

Inside a lesson

Short, focused lessons with a good story to pull you in. Around 15 minutes each. You'll watch a video, read a written section with a strong narrative, and answer a question to make sure the idea actually lands.

💡

AI personalisation

Made to match your role and what you're aiming for. Tell us what you do and what you're trying to improve. Then our AI rewrites each lesson with practical takeaways for your specific job. The core frameworks and data stay the same, but the examples shift to feel relevant to you.

💡

Real feedback

You're not going through it alone. Some of the questions are marked by a real person from our team. If you need a steer, you'll get it. If you're stuck, we can even jump on a call to talk it through.

💡

The certificate

A Mini MBA you can actually show for it. CPD-accredited, signed and dated, and trackable. When you look at completion rates, ours sits above 80%, compared to an industry average that's much closer to 10%.


42courses vs typical online courses.

Feature 42courses Typical platform
Marking & feedback by real people Within 24 hours Auto-quiz only
Personalised by role & sector AI rewrites every lesson Same content for everyone
Taught by working practitioners The people who wrote the book Often academics or actors
Average completion rate Over 80% 5 to 15% (industry average)
CPD-accredited Mini MBA certificate Every course Sometimes
30-day money back, no questions If you aren't happy, we aren't Usually a 7-day refund window

Questions you might be asking.

Roughly eight hours of learning, organised into bite-sized lessons of about 15 minutes each. Most learners wrap it up in around two weeks. That said, there's no deadline, so you can pause whenever life or work pulls you away.
Nope, not at all. We start with the basics and build from there. The course takes you through the topic in a fresh way using insights from some of the leading voices in the field. Whether you're completely new or you already know your stuff and want a sharper perspective, you'll get something out of it.
Every lesson ends with a short question to help you check your understanding. For each course, some questions are marked manually by our team. If you need guidance, a real person will respond with notes to help you get to the right place. And if you're stuck or just want to talk it through, you can always request a call.
You've got 30 days from enrolment to request a full refund. No awkward steps, no exit interview, no back-and-forth email chain. We respond to refund requests within 24 hours, and usually faster. If you don't feel good about the course, we don't either.
Books are great for the theory and the science behind things. This course focuses on putting that knowledge into practice. It's tailored around your role and goals, so each lesson comes with practical takeaways that actually fit your situation.
Yes. Learners have used it across tech, healthcare, retail, banking, government, charities, and education. Our AI personalisation adapts the lesson content to your role and goals, so the examples and exercises feel like they're made for you.
Yes. Most learning and development budgets can cover it easily. If you need it, we can provide a VAT-friendly invoice on request. Just email us at groundcontrol@42courses.com . For groups of 10 or more learners, check out Team plans.
It's a CPD-accredited certificate that's recognised across the UK and internationally for continuing professional development. It's personalised with your name and comes signed, dated, and trackable. You can add it to LinkedIn, your CV, a performance review, or anywhere you keep proof that you've invested in yourself.

Tools you'll get to explore

Lubaina Manji

Lubaina Manji

After more than 20 years in banking, Lubaina Manji spotted early on that financial technology would need better digital integration. In 2015, she led Barclays' 'Bank for Entrepreneurs' programme, which later grew into Rise. Lubaina has an MBA from Cornell, was one of five Barclays fellows selected for the Forward Institute Responsible Leadership programme, and she's also a mother of two teenagers. Even with all of that, she keeps her career moving forward with real flair.

Michael Harte

Michael Harte

Michael Harte leads innovation at Barclays Bank and helped create the largest fintech centre in Europe. He's from New Zealand originally, but he previously worked in Australia too, including serving as Chief Information Officer at CommonWealth Bank of Australia. He's also been described as a 'colourful character', which is pretty impressive for someone working in banking.

Rise

Rise

Rise, built by Barclays, is a leading global community for financial technology innovation, both online and in person. It helps fintech startups with workspace, partnerships, and support from thought leaders around the world. Website: ThinkRise.com


What we'll cover, in order.

An Introduction to Fintech

The world of fintech has grown enormously in a short space of time. Understand what fintech is and why it is important.
What is fintech?
How long has it been around?
How big is the world of fintech?
What’s driving the rapid rise?
Why is it important?

Virtual Currencies

This chapter explains virtual currencies, blockchain technology, mining, and the most popular cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, ethereum and more.
How can Virtual Currencies save the world?
What the blockchain?
Mining
Bitcoin
Dogecoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
NFTs

Payments

Making payments has become easier and easier thanks to technology. Understand how mobile phones affect the financial world, what the prominent payment innovations are, and how money is transferred internationally.
Making payments, from antiquity till today
How Mobile is your Money?
Your Phone and Payments
Square, fair commerce everywhere
“No card machine, no worries”
Sending money overseas
Ripple, making waves in fintech

Alternative Loans and Financing

This chapter explains how the world of lending and borrowing is being transformed by data, how individuals can take on the lending role of institutions, and how the definition of assets is being changed by crowds.
An Overview of Alternative Lending and Financing
Peer-to-Peer Lending
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding Platforms

Insurtech

Technology is helping to bring significant changes to the way insurance works. Learn how these modern systems can benefit the conscientious individual and how technology can keep us safe.
What is Insurtech?
Do you know your Quantified Self
Is your car friendsured?

Retail Banking

Retail banking is changing. We look at how it’s becoming easier to open bank accounts, manage your money and ultimately save you the time. We'll also take a quick look at the way the trading of stocks and shares is evolving.
The evolution of banking
Banking on the go
What is personal financial management?
eToro and RobinHood

The Future of Fintech

A look at the key emerging trends and future direction of the fintech industry.
Where are we now?
The unbanked and the underbanked
What if your financial advisor was a robot?
Biometrics of the trade
Multi-Factor Authentication & Biometrics
To infinity and beyond

Certification Process

1

Complete all the classes

Attend classes, ask questions, and finish your homework. We check your activity and support your learning journey every step of the way.

2

Get the Summary Notes

Receive high-quality supporting documents, summary notes, and recommended readings. Ensure you have access to all tools and resources.

3

Complete 100% Impact

Complete the final assessment to validate your learning. Earn your certificate and share your achievement with your professional network!

Fintech
Free

This Course Includes:

Level Access
9h of Content
Certificate of Completion
English

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