Blockchain technology isn’t only to be associated with cryptocurrency, even if many tendencies incline towards this connection. The ground-breaking technology of the past two decades has the potential to revolutionize countless industries beyond finance, such as healthcare, supply chain management, communication, voting, and the list can go on. Quick-on-the-uptake educational institutions started offering courses, diplomas, workshops, and even research opportunities regarding decentralized systems, blockchain, and crypto. Those who entered the game early and began learning about what’s considered a norm in the future of finance are more likely to lead the pack when competition intensifies in the job market.
As you can see, the crypto markets’ latest rally reignited excitement in the industry. Bitcoin, which once defined the very concept of digital currency, is no longer the be-all and end-all. The rising XRP price, for instance, steals the light from it and second-leader Ethereum and pushes altcoins into the limelight. Supposedly, the altcoin mania will spark curiosity and interest in new waves of students regarding how and what cryptocurrency works.
If you want to keep abreast of the trends, there are a few ways to build up knowledge from the ground or brush up your existing one. Some universities offer courses about blockchain and crypto, and, with the programs’ finalizations, degrees. Let’s discover three of the leading ones, each with different strong points and activities, shall we?
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An overview
As blockchain technology transforms multiple sectors and brings more data security and transparency, universities worldwide grasp the need for professional education among students. Educational courses exist around blockchain, Web3, cryptocurrency, decentralized finance, distributed systems, and so on, many of which are easily accessible.
Whether via partnership with industry collaborators, research projects, or courses, more and more universities are preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the ever-expanding web3 and crypto landscape. The demand for experts in the field is growing. If you browse the many job offers on recruitment platforms that revolve around blockchain and crypto expertise, you may find a concealed opportunity in this system.
Here are three of the top universities teaching blockchain programs and courses.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is famous for pioneering developments in AI and tech thanks to its top-tier innovation projects and programs. The bigwig provides an all-inclusive variety of blockchain-oriented initiatives and courses. The Digital Currency Initiative (DCI), for instance, concentrates on navigating the tech progress of blockchain enterprises and cryptocurrencies. MIT students can join classes like “Crypto Finance”, “Blockchain and Money”, and even “Blockchain Ethics”.
The university prides itself on presenting a range of formats through which students can learn, including discussion forums, practice quizzes, assignments, interactive visuals, and presentations. A Success Adviser is stated to help students manage their time and shed light on any tech or administrative queries that arise. MIT offers a certificate at the end of the 6-week course, where between 6 to 8 hours are dedicated weekly to studying. The fact that the courses are presented in a Self-Paced Online fashion allows students from all walks of life to join the classes and learn at their own pace.
Over two weeks, students can discover insights into the economics of web3 apps, digital assets, altcoins, stablecoins, non-fungible tokens, decentralized finance, and other blockchain technologies. From prominent trends triggering waves in cryptocurrency to the progressing regulations and legalities, students can explore pretty much any topic of current and actual importance. Moreover, one can also acquaint themselves with the future of blockchain tech and the opportunities in the cryptocurrency realm, ranging from decentralized finance to economic dynamics to the metaverse. MIT secured its place as a leader in the tech educational system, and these initiatives stand as proof.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is one of the best-reputed universities worldwide in the field of technology and engineering, ranking among the leading five schools in this domain worldwide – as QS World University Rankings made public. This educational institution is also the world’s leading university with a track record of less than 50 years. There are numerous mouth-opening facts about this university to begin with. Did you know that the professor who contributed to the discovery of mammoth DNA in 2008 teaches at this university and boasts the title of one of the first 100 most influential individuals worldwide in 2009?
Returning to our muttons, NTU is a ruling university in both the Asian and world rankings, having been founded in 1981 in Singapore. It offers a profound understanding of blockchain, starting with students’ guidance through the tech framework or crypto and blockchain technology. The programs and courses tackle everything from consensus protocols to decentralized apps, incentive mechanisms, and distributed systems. Moreover, students can study the modern blockchain’s interoperability, scalability, privacy, security, and anonymity issues. Another plus is that students can discover pertinent enterprise platforms, apps, solutions, and regulatory tech aspects.
As you may discover if you’re drawn to this institution’s offerings, the university offers courses and modules related to blockchain, like the Application of Design Innovation, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Blockchain Series, and Hashgraph, among others. Additionally, the Singaporean institution presents consecrated Blockchain Master’s Degree curricula that reveal blockchain’s complexity, namely Master of Science in Financial Technology and Master of Science in Blockchain.
University of Zurich (UZH)
The University of Zurich was named the third-best university for blockchain in the world in 2022 and the first among European universities for a second year. With an unshakeable standing, the university’s reputation is constructed around the in-house blockchain center, representing the biggest and most active Swizz academic initiative.
Over 22 professors teach blockchain, where the center serves as the middle ground between students, the industry, and regulators. The university provides all-embracing instructive programs targeting both undergraduate students and high-powered industry gurus through its one-of-a-kind blend of
ranging from undergraduate students to industry leaders thanks to the unique combination of expertise and first-rate research projects.
Bottom line
Reflect upon your curiosity about decentralization, finance, and technology. Assuming you’re drawn to these fields and sense possible applications in your ideal career path, joining a blockchain course might serve as an unmatched entry point into the ecosystem.