Sustainable Finance MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Study level: Postgraduate
Sustainable Finance MSc gives you the opportunity to learn how to evaluate financial problems in ways that address sustainable concerns. The course is concerned with financial decision-making that has implications for the environment and society, and the way firms operate.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time (UK only)
Course code
FBLT143
Start date
September 2023
Course overview
This MSc in Sustainable Finance provides the opportunity for you to learn and develop skills to enable you to resolve financial problems in ways that mitigate harm to the environment and society.
- The course will enhance your career by helping you develop analytical and quantitative tools to resolve financial problems that relate to Sustainable Finance
- The course is of interest to those concerned with mitigating the harm of economic activity on the environment and society
- The course is interdisciplinary and draws on environmental economics, governance, finance and risk management, law and regulation and carbon accounting.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- The full course allows you to pursue one of two Pathways for more in-depth study
- It aims to provide you with the skills needed to understand and help resolve some of the problems facing the national and global economy in meeting sustainable development goals
- You can register for: i) the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Finance; ii) the Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Finance; or, iii) the full MSc in Sustainable Finance
- The course can be taken part-time or full-time to suit your employment situation.
What you'll study
The adverse effects of human activity on the climate and society are now matters of grave concern. There is also the recognition that graduates are insufficiently trained to meet the challenges of mitigating the harmful effects of economic activities.
This MSc in Sustainable Finance aims to help you develop the financial and analytical tools to bridge the gap between the traditional approaches to financial decision-making and the concept of financial sustainability, where Sustainable Finance is the main pillar of the course.
The course is interdisciplinary and draws on environmental economics, governance, finance and risk management, law and regulation and carbon accounting. It aims to provide you with the skills needed to understand and help resolve some of the problems facing the national and global economy in meeting sustainable development goals. The course is flexible depending on which classification you wish to take, such that you can enrol for the Certificate, Diploma or the full MSc degree.
If you pursue the full MSc, you will be able to choose one of two distinct Pathways that emphasizes: i) Socially Responsible Investment and Carbon Reporting (Pathway A); and ii) Islamic Portfolio Management and Islamic Sustainable Finance (Pathway B). You will also be able to undertake your dissertation in Sustainable Finance at The Institute of Responsible Business Economics and Society, under the supervision of established academic researchers at The Centre for Corporate and Financial Integrity. The aims of the course are in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
While details vary somewhat from module to module, the learning and teaching strategy involves a series of lectures and seminars/workshops/tutorials.
Lectures chart the main theories, concepts controversies and empirical findings on a particular topic. Students will be encouraged to have done the required readings and actively engage in the discussions during the lectures. The seminars/workshops/tutorials are generally interactive. In some cases, the sessions can be focused on case studies and literature that students are expected to engage beforehand and deliberate on in-class in various formats.
In others, the sessions provide students with the opportunity to raise, discuss and clarify issues raised in lectures and/or associated with their own research plans. Often the workshops will take the form of blended learning, combining expository online content with in-class discussion. While details vary somewhat from module to module, the learning and teaching strategy involves a series of lectures and seminars/workshops/tutorials. Lectures chart the main theories, concepts controversies and empirical findings on a particular topic. Students will be encouraged to have done the required readings and actively engage in the discussions during the lectures.
In others, the sessions provide students with the opportunity to raise, discuss and clarify issues raised in lectures and/or associated with their own research plans. Often the workshops will take the form of blended learning, combining expository online content with in-class discussion.
This course can be offered on a part-time basis for home students only. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.
Teaching contact hours
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the taught terms.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake roughly 12 hours a week of self-directed study depending on the demands of individual modules.
The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to COVID-19, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Formal examinations
- Phase tests
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- Exams
- Individual Assignments
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £15,400 | Request fee information |
International | £20,050 | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4:

The Library
The Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops within the library.

Jaguar Centre
Our refurbished Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including: social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

The Hub
The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to: The Health and Wellbeing Centre, The Spirituality and Faith Centre, The Tank Studio, The Careers and the Enterprise Hub.
Careers and opportunities
The course is suitable for those wishing to pursue a career in Sustainable Finance where decision-making and the allocation of resources have implications for sustainability and society. The course will enhance your prospects if you wish to pursue a career in commercial firms, national governments, local authorities, international organisations, and non-for-profit making organisations.
Further study
This is an advanced course in Sustainable Finance and will be suitable for doctoral studies.
How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.