Applied professional learning

Understand the Payments Ecosystem

See who moves the money and who earns the margin.

Distinguish merchants, issuers, acquirers, networks and service providers. Follow authorisation, clearing and settlement at a business level.

100% onlineApplied industry briefing€199 per participantApplications open

Apply for access

Illustrative scene: close editorial view of a contactless payment at a beautifully designed independent café, terminal, card and merchant naturally visible.

YOUR LEARNING OUTCOMES

What you will be able to do.

Advisors and payments newcomers.

Distinguish merchants, issuers, acquirers, networks and service providers.
Follow authorisation, clearing and settlement at a business level.
Examine pricing, operating costs, scale and service features.
Explain a simplified provider comparison and its limitations.

WHAT YOU WILL CREATE

Participant/value-flow map and an economics comparison across payment services.

IN PRACTICE

A situation you could face.

A merchant is comparing payment services with different fees and capabilities. Map the participants and evaluate the economics behind the options.

YOUR TASK

Explain a simplified provider comparison and its limitations.

Illustrative learning scenario.

CURRICULUM

Your learning path.

4 modules

Map the participants

Distinguish merchants, issuers, acquirers, networks and service providers.

Trace the value flow

Follow authorisation, clearing and settlement at a business level.

Compare payment economics

Examine pricing, operating costs, scale and service features.

Assess the commercial choice

Explain a simplified provider comparison and its limitations.

THE EXPERIENCE

Practice with a purpose.

100% onlineNo in-person attendance required.

A self-directed sector briefing with a simplified business case and worked examples. Industry conditions and local requirements should be assessed for your own context.

Understand the decision

Define the question and the evidence a useful answer needs.

Test your judgement

Apply the method to a realistic case and explain your choices.

Review the quality

Use explicit criteria to judge the result and improve the work.

ABOUT YOUR APPLICATION

Before you apply.

Are courses delivered online?

Course materials, exercises and any included coaching or live sessions are delivered online. No in-person attendance required.

Each programme specifies its pace and included support. Your invitation confirms any scheduled sessions and their timing.

Why do I need to apply?

We review your background and any goals or motivation you choose to share to assess programme fit. There is no payment when you apply.

How do intakes work?

We welcome new participants in intakes over time. Apply for access and we will email you when the next intake opens for this programme.

When can I start?

We will confirm the start date, what is included and the fee when we invite you to join. You can then decide whether to take part. Applying does not give you immediate course access.

What does the fee cover?

A self-directed sector briefing with a simplified business case and worked examples. Industry conditions and local requirements should be assessed for your own context. The €199 shown is an estimated fee per person. We will confirm what is included, the final price and any applicable taxes before you decide to join.

Will I receive a certificate?

Your invitation will explain what you need to complete, how your work will be assessed and whether the programme includes a certificate. Any Academy certificate is separate from an accredited academic qualification.

Who is behind the Academy?

Scipio Academy draws on practical expertise from senior alumni of McKinsey, BCG and Bain. We will share details of the programme contributors and reviewers with your invitation. The firms do not sponsor or endorse these programmes.