Degree Overview

Degree Objectives

The Master’s degree is designed to prepare participants to become competent professionals in the field of digital currency and Blockchain technology. Graduates benefit from a broad background, combining courses in Finance, Management, Computer Science, and Information Systems to provide a holistic analysis of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain systems, applications, and services.

Students get exposed to an enriching and stimulating curriculum that covers important areas of Blockchain technology like Blockchain and Digital Currency, Blockchain Systems and Architectures, Blockchain and Entrepreneurship Management, Emerging Topics in Blockchain and Digital Currency, Digital Currency Programming, Smart contract programming, Permissioned Blockchain Programming, Cryptographic Systems Security, Emerging Topics in Fintech, Token Economics, Law and Regulation in Blockchain, Emerging Topics in Law and Regulation, Principles of Money, Banking and Finance, Open and Decentralized Financial Systems and others.

Theoretical principles, state-of-the-art research, and case studies of digital currency systems and tools are mastered by students who may also select to advance their Blockchain programming skills and become highly skilled developers in blockchain and digital currencies or specialize in financial/management aspects and become highly literate consultants, entrepreneurs, or financial professionals. Upon completion, students can continue their studies to a doctoral degree or to other areas of study.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

1. Define concepts of money and money supply and associate present international financial markets and money transfer systems to digital currency alternatives.
2. Explore theoretical principles on currencies, banking, the role of central banks, and monetary policy to determine the likely implications of digital currencies upon them.
3. Identify and analyse challenges, prospects, and risks of Cryptocurrencies and devise business proposals and/or develop Blockchain systems and services that address them.
4. Apply and advance practice or research on Blockchain technology, cryptography, decentralized systems architectures, and information systems to design innovative systems and services that complement and extend the existing Cryptocurrencies ecosystem.
5. Review, analyse, and compare different regulatory environments (banking, payments, commerce, legal, accounting, etc.), debate on likely implications introduced by Cryptocurrencies, and advise on alternative proposals.
6. Analyze best practices related to digital currencies, specify business opportunities, and apply digital currency based innovative solutions to address problems in business, finance, or the society at large.

Teaching Methodology

Applications for admission to the programme will be considered only from candidates that fulfil the minimum entrance criteria as described below:

1. Bachelor’s degree

A bachelor’s degree and transcripts from an accredited university.

2. Work Experience (if any)

Work Experience is a significant added qualification.

3. Proficiency in the English Language

Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present at least a TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based, or GCSE “O” Level with “C” or IELTS with a score of 6.0 or score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the University of Nicosia Placement Test.

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

If you are unsure whether you meet the admissions requirements, please complete the registration form to start a discussion with an Admissions advisor.

5. Personal Statement

A one page long personal statement.

If you are unsure whether you meet the admissions requirements, please complete the registration form to start a discussion with an Enrollment advisor.

Employment Opportunities

The program gives students the opportunity to acquire deeper knowledge and skills in the field of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain. This is a relatively new area of practice and research that is expected to provide ample employment opportunities for program graduates in various and inter-disciplinary positions at the intersection between management, computer science, and finance.

The program is both theoretical and practical and has been designed to allow the students to choose those elective courses that will meet their future career goals. Regardless of the stream chosen by students, each instructor strives to create an inspiring atmosphere for the students and enhances the learning experience.

Graduates of the program should be able to:

1. Hold managerial positions in FinTech, RegTech industries or related posts in finance, regulation, and government offices.
2. Become senior technical developers or administrators in the ICT marketplace as it relates to Cryptocurrencies systems and Blockchain applications.
3. Become entrepreneurs and establish their own enterprises in the field of Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain.
4. Continue studying towards a doctoral degree.

Access to Further Studies

Graduates of the programme can be accepted into Third Cycle degrees (Doctoral Degree).

Degree Outline

The program is structured into three semesters, with 30 ECTS per semester.

The first two semesters include three courses each, which are required for the completion of the program, whereas the third semester includes courses that students should choose among a wide list of elective courses. There is a thesis option (30 ECTS) for students wishing to substitute elective courses during the third semester.

Program Pathway

The complete program pathway is as follows:

Section A: Required Courses
ECTS: Min.60 Max.60

Section B: Electives
ECTS: Min. 30 Max. 30

Semester Breakdown

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3 (Thesis)

To successfully complete the program, students must complete 90 ECTS and all program requirements.

NOTES

1. In the 3^rd semester, the required electives are 30 ECTS: either three elective courses or Thesis
2. The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.

Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition Fees

The total cost of the master’s programme for EU students:  €12,960

The total cost of the master’s programme for International (Non-EU) students:  €13,860

Payment Options

We accept tuition and fee payments via the following methods:

1. Online payments on the University website via the Student Application tool.
2. Online at JCCSmart.
3. Flywire International Payments.
4. By Using Bitcoin (Students paying in Bitcoin will receive a 5% discount on the “net fees” (i.e. after scholarship) payable).
5. By Bank Transfer.
6. By Means of a Bank Draft issued to University of Nicosia.
7. By Cash, Cheque or Visa at the Finance Department Offices.

Please visit the Payment Methods page on the main UNIC website for detailed payment instructions

Further Discounts

Students paying the full program fees upfront will receive an additional 7.5% discount on the “net fees” (i.e. after all other discounts and scholarship) payable.

Scholarships

The University of Nicosia believes strongly in expanding accessibility to and affordability of higher education. For 2021 – 2022, the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency program has over €300,000 euros of financial aid available to students attending the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency, through a combination of merit scholarships, need-based scholarships and work-study programs.

Since the MSc program has a rolling admissions policy, scholarships are reviewed and awarded monthly, in conjunction with admissions decisions.

The Scholarships

*Further to the above:

• All Scholarship applications must be accompanied by a brief cover letter explaining their eligibility.

Scholarship Terms

• Scholarship applications are reviewed monthly. Applications must be submitted by the last day of the month to be eligible for that month’s review.
• Only students who have completed their MSc application and have been accepted to the MSc are eligible to submit a scholarship application.
• Each student can earn a maximum of one (1) merit or need-based scholarship, though need and merit scholarships can be combined.
• Work-study programs can be combined with either need or merit scholarships upon special approval.
• Scholarships are applied on a pro-rata basis to each course in the MSc.
• The University of Nicosia reserves the right, at its sole discretion to award or not award any scholarship to any student and/or to change the number of scholarships awarded, their eligibility requirements or any other aspect of the financial aid program.