With the SFU-ZJU (Zhejiang University) Dual Degree Bachelor-Master Program, you will gain in-demand skills to excel in the burgeoning fintech (financial technology) field and become a leading light in the global finance and technology markets.
As new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to revolutionize and transform the global financial landscape, the worldwide demand for fintech professionals has never been higher. Studying and working at the intersection of finance and technology means you are going to engage in a dynamic field abound with endless opportunities to learn and grow, while supercharging your creativity, problem-solving and innovative thinking skills.
Career Prospects
Both computer science and fintech are diverse fields with many different niche areas that you can delve into. From software development to machine learning to data analytics, below is a sample of possible careers you may pursue with your multidimensional skillsets:
| Data scientist Blockchain developer Financial analyst Product manager |
Cybersecurity analyst Business development manager Business intelligence engineer Business intelligence architect |
WHY CHOOSE THE SFU-ZJU DUAL DEGREE BACHELOR-MASTER PROGRAM? |
Gain mastery in the fields of computer science and finance
Gain knowledge across theoretical and applied areas of computer science (programming, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity) and master the principles of finance and economy.
SFU has been rated as Canada’s No. 1 comprehensive university according to Maclean's Magazine's university rankings. The School of Computing Science is recognized among the top 50 computer science departments worldwide. Zhejiang University has been ranked among the top three universities in China and is within the top 100 in the prestigious Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings.
Fast track to a graduate degree
With the unique design of this program, you can earn your bachelor's degree while taking courses toward your master's degree, completing both degrees in as little as five years, which is the average degree completion time for a bachelor's degree program nowadays. As a result of its accelerated timeline, this program will allow you to save considerably on both time and money.
Enrich your academic studies with internship experiences
During your SFU undergraduate studies, you will have an opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a workplace setting by taking part in SFU’s Coop program; the Master's portion of the academic coursework at ZIBS is supplemented by a mandatory internship experience that draws upon the strength of ZIBS network, deepening your understanding of fundamental theories and concepts.
Expand your network and forge an international career
With the Program’s tight-knit cohort structure, you will build lifelong friendships and a valuable professional network within your cohort and beyond. The realm of fintech is borderless, spanning many countries. Pursuing your degree overseas will allow you to connect with an expansive network of global finance and technology talents. With China becoming a strong driving force for global fintech development and the largest fintech market in the world, there is no better place to pursue fintech studies than in China, from which you can start making connections that may lead to an exciting international career.
Cultivate cross-cultural competence through an immersive experience in China
With China's growing importance on the global stage, an inherent understanding of Chinese culture is an essential business asset in today's globally connected business environment. Furthermore, in today's diverse workplace, cross-cultural competence has become a highly valued skill. Throughout the program, you will have access to Chinese language courses that have been thoughtfully designed to meet your learning objectives, allowing you to hone your language skills. Knowing Chinese will enable you to communicate with a billion more people, embracing new ideas and diverse perspectives.
About ZIBS (Zhejiang University International Business School)
Named after a coastal province in East China, Zhejiang University (ZJU) is consistently ranked as one of the top 3 universities in China and has a reputation as the “Cambridge of the East”. Housed on the ZJU International Campus, Zhejiang University International Business School (ZIBS) was established with a vision to be the premier international business school bridging the West and the East.
The Yangtze River Delta, a region ZIBS is located at, has long been known for its entrepreneurial spirit. It has since become an up-and-coming fintech hub in China that’s seen the boom of numerous leading fintech companies. Due to its prime location in the Yangtze region, ZIBS has been uniquely positioned to lead research advances in the fintech field.
DDP Alumni Stories
Lu Gan's experience:
"DDP is an excellent choice for students passionate about computing science who want to gain a global perspective by studying alongside talented students from China and Canada. I feel lucky to be part of a tight-knit cohort of students, and the network built with people around me is super valuable even after I graduate."
Sean's experience
Having first heard about the program through a University outreach event, Sean was intrigued by the value proposition of earning two degrees while exploring a different culture and learning on the other side of the world.
Sean learned Mandarin from scratch and now lives and works in China. He is glad to have made new friends, fostered a new community, and found a new home.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE |
Undergraduate Curriculum
Students complete a five year curriculum starting with 3.5 years of a computing science major or honours program completing at least 102 units at SFU. Students then spend 1.5 years at Zhejiang University completing the remaining requirements of the SFU BSc within the first year and the requirements of the ZJU master of finance thereafter. For the undergraduate part of the curriculum, please refer to the program requirements detailed in the academic calendar (please refer to the BSc/Master of Finance Option section).
To remain in the Program, students must maintain at least a 3.0 CGPA.
Graduate Curriculum at a glance
The Master of Finance (Fintech) portion of the degree is comprised of the following three major requirements::
Core Courses and Elective Courses taught in English:
Students are required to complete a total of 38 ZJU credits, of which up to 15 credits can be waived by the SFU coursework.
3-6 month Internship:
Through the Program's network of industry partners, students can access a diverse array of internship opportunities in fintech, allowing you to apply the classroom knowledge to the real world.
Thesis:
Through the Program's partnerships with industry's leading finance research institutes, students will have an opportunity to carry out your thesis research alongside scholars and experts in the field. A distinctive feature of the ZIBS Master's program is the built-in Mentoring Program where students will be mentored and guided by dedicated industry experts throughout your academic journey. Corporate mentors include leaders and practitioners from leading business enterprises such as Deloitte, EY, Standard Chartered and Morgan Stanley.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS |
Eligibility
The SFU-ZJU Dual Degree Bachelor-Master Program is open to domestic and international students, with the exception of students originally from China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, who must hold Canadian citizenship for a minimum of four years prior to the start of the Master's study at ZJU.A Chinese language background is NOT required for admission to the Program.
High School Applicants
Required grade 11 and 12 courses for admissions are the same as the ones stipulated in the general admission requirements for Computing Science at SFU. The SFU-ZJU Dual Degree Bachelor-Master Program seeks highly-motivated students who have demonstrated strong competence in one or more of the following areas: intellectual curiosity and promise, ability to adapt to change and openness to new experience, teamwork and ability to take initiatives, leadership and drive to overcome challenges, extra-curricular, volunteer and community activities in addition to academic performance. Each application will be assessed based on the combination of academic scores and supplemental information.
Current SFU Students
Admission to the SFU-ZJU Dual Degree Bachelor-Master Program for current SFU students is evaluated on an individual basis. We encourage you to email cschina@sfu.ca for an assessment. Please include your SFU student number and a copy of your ADVISING transcript in your email.
APPLICATION PROCESS |
How to Apply:
HIGH SCHOOL APPLICANTS
- Apply to SFU online via EducationPlannerBC
- Select Applied Sciences as your Faculty, and BSC CMPT Zhejiang Dual Degree as your Program.
- Complete the supplementary Statement of Interest form online. Resume and references letters are required.
CURRENT SFU STUDENTS
- Contact cschina@sfu.ca for an assessment. Please include your SFU student number and a copy of your advising transcript in your email.
Application Deadlines:
Application deadlines for the SFU-ZJU Dual Degree Bachelor-Master Program are the same as the general deadlines for SFU admission.
TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS |
Tuition Fees
While studying at SFU, students pay tuition fees based on the total number of credit hours enrolled. While studying at ZJU, students pay 74,000 RMB (approximately $14,100 CAD) a year. Residence Fees: 8000 RMB/Year Insurance Fees: 800 RMB/YearBritish Columbia-Zhejiang Excellence Scholarship (valued at $5,000)
Your consideration for this Scholarship is automatic when you apply for admission to the SFU-ZJU Dual Degree Bachelor-Master Program (an application is not required).Other Financial Support
There are various forms of financial aid and awards available to SFU students, based on various criteria and achievements. Please review these options in good time to make sure you can meet the application deadlines. These options include:- Scholarships
- Awards
- Bursaries
- Work-Study Program
- Provincial and Federal Student Loans Programs
CONTACT US |
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SFU-ZJU Dual Degree Program School of Computing Science |
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cschina@sfu.ca |
