Sustainable Finance MSc

Postgraduate

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Learn to tackle financial issues with a focus on sustainability and financial decision-making, considering their impact on the environment, society and the way firms operate.

Year of entry

2025-26

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 2025

How to apply

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Course overview

This course is designed for those interested in exploring the environmental and social impacts of economic activity within the context of finance.

Develop your knowledge and skills in sustainable finance, exploring how environmental considerations are increasingly integrated into financial decision-making.
Improve your analytical skills by learning to use quantitative tools to tackle challenges in sustainable finance.
Learn about environmental economics, governance, finance, risk management, law, regulation and carbon accounting.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Learn the skills needed to address the gap between traditional finance and sustainable financial decision-making.
Course content aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, preparing you for a meaningful career in sustainable finance.
The full course allows you to pursue one of two pathways for a more in-depth study experience.
Gain 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 can be taken part-time or full-time to suit your employment situation.

What you'll study

The impact on the natural environment and societal wellbeing is a growing concern, and there’s a clear need for graduates equipped to tackle these challenges.

This interdisciplinary course covers environmental economics, governance, finance, risk management, law, regulation and carbon accounting. Learn to help resolve national and global economic issues while supporting sustainable development goals.

In semester one, you'll explore the fundamentals of sustainable finance and learn research methods (both qualitative and quantitative) to evaluate financial issues related to sustainability.

Semester two focuses on advanced topics, including sustainable risk management, law, ethics and sustainability. You will follow one of two pathways that each include two specialist compulsory modules. Study either socially responsible investment and carbon accounting, or Islamic portfolio management and Islamic sustainable finance. Whichever pathway you choose to follow, your final award on successful completion of the course will be Sustainable Finance MSc.

Both semesters aim to prepare you to work on your dissertation in semester three.

Modules

Corporate Sustainable Finance – 15 credits

Learn about sustainable finance, focusing on sustainable development goals (SDGs), financial inclusion, social justice, human welfare, impact investing and economic growth. Explore how sustainable strategies address social and environmental challenges, driving long-term value for businesses and society.

Compulsory

Research Methods – 15 credits

Develop the skills and knowledge needed for postgraduate research in business and management with a focus on sustainable finance. Learn about research methods, design, hypothesis testing and data analysis to prepare for your dissertation. By the end of this module, you should be able to: understand research approaches in sustainable finance, develop a solid research proposal and gain the skills needed to complete your dissertation confidently.

Compulsory

Sustainability and Governance – 15 credits

Explore key sustainability and governance issues, focusing on the impact of national and global regulations in achieving sustainable financial outcomes. Examine corporate governance, managerial power, and their influence on financial markets and society. Adopt a global perspective, emphasising shared values over individual or national interests, and understand the importance of creating long-term shareholder value while balancing social and economic priorities.

Compulsory

Environmental Economics and Finance – 15 credits

Examine environmental challenges and explores how economic and financial analysis can address issues of environmental degradation. Investigate sustainability through an economic lens, focusing on its practical implications for businesses, national economies and solutions that go beyond compliance with regulations.

Compulsory

Sustainability and Risk Management – 15 credits

Explore key environmental risks, including climate change, that firms face today. This module covers risk types, assessment, mitigation, governance and internal controls. Topics include financial market roles, regulation, and the impact of theoretical and empirical research on risk management.

Compulsory

Law, Ethics and Sustainability – 15 credits

Examine the role of law in addressing ethics and sustainability in business. Explore global and national legal standards, soft law norms, and issues like financial crime, environmental sustainability, and human rights. Using case studies, analyse treaties, UN frameworks, self-governance instruments and national legislation while identifying legal gaps and challenges in corporate compliance.

Compulsory

Dissertation – 50 credits

Leading Strategic Change through Creativity and Innovation – 10 credits

Plus one of the following two pathways:

Pathway A: Valuation and Financial Reporting

Carbon Accounting and Reporting - 15 credits

Get an in-depth understanding of carbon accounting and reporting, focusing on how climate change has driven policy, legislation and community action. Explore the challenges of measuring carbon emissions, global approaches to carbon reporting and its impact on sustainable finance.

Compulsory

Sustainability and Socially Responsible Investment - 15 credits

Learn about Sustainable and Responsible Investment Funds (SRIFs), focusing on the principles and techniques of responsible investing. Cover Ethical, Social and Environmental (ESG) portfolio diversification, performance evaluation and ethical investment strategies using case studies and practical applications.

Compulsory

Pathway B: Alternative Financial Environment

Islamic Portfolio and Asset Management - 15 credits

Learn about Islamic asset management principles, focusing on Sharī'ah compliance, hedging funds and capital markets. Explore differences between conventional and Islamic portfolio management, covering funds like Sukuk, Ijarah and equity using case studies for practical application.

Compulsory

Islamic Sustainable Finance - 15 credits

Explore Islamic sustainable and green finance, contrasting traditional and Islamic economic theories. Cover sustainable development goals (SDGs), inclusion, social justice, impact investing and green investments/Sukuk using Maqasid al Sharia values to support ethical financial reforms.

Compulsory

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

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
group projects
workshops.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

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.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods may include:

formal examinations
phase tests
essays
presentations
reports
coursework
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 entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a business or finance discipline, or appropriate work experience in the financial sector together with relevant professional qualifications.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international pre-master's. Upon successful completion our IPM should provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this postgraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,350	Request fee information
EU	£9,350 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and 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).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

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 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

The Trading Floor is an invaluable facility that allows you to get hands-on with industry-standard software. Featuring contemporary dual-screen Bloomberg terminals, the facility can add a dynamic practical element to your course.

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Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

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The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

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Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

This course is ideal for you if you want to pursue a career in sustainable finance where decision-making and the allocation of resources have implications for sustainability and society.

You could find yourself pursuing a career in commercial firms, national governments, local authorities, international organisations or not-for-profit making organisations.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

develop analytical and quantitative tools to resolve financial problems
understand the social and environmental pressures facing the current financial system and explore how sustainable financial strategies can create long-term value for business and society
learn how law and ethics interact with sustainable finance, having developed your understanding of financial crime.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.

Full-time applications

Part-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, 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, partnerships and memberships

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

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 unpaid and/or 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, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any 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

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. 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.

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