Introduction to Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
Enhance your understanding of DLT and blockchain technology and explore how it can be used to solve business problems.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Introduction to Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)
Other courses you might like
This course isn't running right now. We can email you when it starts again, or check out these other courses you might like.
Browse more in Business & Management and IT & Computer Science
Discover distributed ledger technology and blockchain for business
On this course, you’ll get an introduction to blockchain and DLT through a case study of a company that uses various aspects of the technologies to solve business problems.
You’ll discover how and why blockchain technologies can be used in business to improve processes and inform decision-making.
You’ll explore its Bitcoin beginnings and learn how blockchains can change how information and value is stored, transferred and coordinated.
You’ll also consider how DLT can be used to change current business models through the use of smart contracts and secure data coordination.
What topics will you cover?
- What are blockchains and distributed ledger technologies?
- How blockchains can be used as a means to decentralise processes, for example payments
- How blockchains can be applied to supply chains to improve transparency and better reconciliation of data
- How blockchains can be used as a means of establishing better provenance and how smart contracts can be used to automate processes that rely on trusted information
- Practical case study examples of blockchain and DLT use
- Hear from real world companies on deployments of this revolutionary technology
- Learn frameworks on how to apply DLT to your business or to a use case
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explain what problems blockchains solve
- Describe what the properties of a blockchain system are
- Demonstrate knowledge of the key stakeholders in the blockchain ecosystem
- Compare decentralised and centralised systems, what the pros and cons of both are and why decentralisation is a key property of a blockchain
- Explain how blockchains could be used for payments
- Describe how cryptography and consensus mechanisms are used in blockchain systems
- Demonstrate knowledge of how blockchain can be used in supply chains
- Explain what smart contracts are, how they can be applied and how they differ from conventional contracts
- Apply the UCL Blockchain Framework to see if a business problem could be solved with the application of blockchain technology
- Reflect on how blockchain technology could lead to transformational business models and disruption in our conventional socio-economic systems
Who is the course for?
This course was created by the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies, the oldest and largest academic blockchain centre in the world that has pioneered executive education for blockchain and DLT education.
The course is designed for anyone who wants to learn the basics of blockchain technology and how it can be applied to business problems.
It will be particularly useful for business executives exploring the use of blockchain at their companies.
This course is also suitable as an introductory course for those who want to explore the possibility of upskilling with blockchain knowledge.
Who will you learn with?
Nikhil Vadgama is the Deputy Director of the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies. He is the Programme Director of the MSc Financial Technology and a Lecturer at the UCL Dept. of Computer Science.
Dr Paolo Tasca is a world leading authority on blockchain and cryptocurrency. Global Advisor, Serial Entrepreneur, Writer, Public Speaker and Executive Director at UCL CBT.
Who developed the course?
UCL Consultants
We connect you with the best of UCL: We help you access critical specialist knowledge and first class research facilities across 11 faculties and 100+ departments.
UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies
The University College London Centre for Blockchain Technologies was founded in 2016 to research the effects of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) and blockchain in our socio-economic systems. The centre is the nucleus for DLT and blockchain research and engagement across eight different departments at UCL and for its Research and Industry Associate network. This network consists of over 180 researchers and practitioners from UCL, other academic institutions and companies utilising DLT.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.