MSc Sustainable Finance and Climate Change

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The MSc Sustainable Finance and Climate Change at the University of Exeter is designed for students who want to use finance as a force for good, tackling climate change and sustainability challenges head-on. This programme is perfect if you’re interested in responsible investing, climate policy, ESG strategy, and building a finance career with real global impact.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Full-time programme)

You’ll start by developing strong financial foundations through core modules such as Investment Analysis 1 and Fundamentals of Financial Management, helping you understand how financial markets work and how investment decisions are made. These modules ensure you’re confident with financial tools before moving into sustainability-focused applications.

As the course progresses, you’ll explore how finance connects directly to environmental and social responsibility through Sustainable and Responsible Finance and Climate Finance and Investments, where you’ll examine ESG investing, green finance, and how capital can support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In the final stage of the programme, modules like Climate Change Science and Solutions and Corporate Governance and Finance give you a deeper understanding of climate risks, regulation, and ethical leadership. You’ll bring everything together in the Sustainable Finance Project, applying your learning to a real-world sustainability or climate-finance challenge.

Focus areas (in a string)

Sustainable and responsible finance, climate change and finance integration, ESG and impact investing, corporate governance, applied climate finance projects.

Learning outcomes (in a string)

Strong financial analysis skills, understanding of climate science for finance, ability to design sustainable investment strategies, ethical decision-making, practical experience solving real-world finance and climate challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Delivered by a triple-accredited Business School (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), with course content aligned to key themes from the CFA Institute’s Certificate in ESG Investing, supporting careers in sustainable and responsible finance.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Exeter Business School is widely recognised for student satisfaction and graduate outcomes, with strong performance in UK and global rankings such as the Financial Times Masters rankings, reflecting its reputation among employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On this programme, learning goes far beyond lectures. From day one, you’ll be working with the same data, tools, and collaborative spaces used by finance and sustainability professionals, helping you build confidence and practical skills that translate directly into the workplace. Exeter’s Business School combines specialist finance facilities, real market data, and applied project work so you graduate not only understanding sustainable finance — but knowing how to use it in real situations.

That hands-on experience is built into the programme through:

Finance and Market Data Lab (24/7 access): You’ll work in a dedicated trading and analytics environment with live access to Bloomberg and Refinitiv (Thomson Reuters), allowing you to analyse real financial markets, climate-related risks, and investment performance.
Industry-standard financial databases: Teaching and assessments integrate tools such as Datastream, WRDS, and S&P Capital IQ, so you gain practical experience handling professional-grade financial and ESG data.
Applied Sustainable Finance Project: A core part of the programme where you independently explore a real sustainability or climate-finance challenge, bringing together finance, climate science, and responsible investment thinking.
Collaborative group work and case studies: Seminars and coursework regularly involve teamwork, helping you develop problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills in scenarios that reflect real business and policy contexts.
Research-led learning environment: You’ll study within a Business School that actively contributes to sustainability and climate research, with links to centres focused on sustainable finance and environmental solutions.
Extensive library and digital learning resources: Access specialist finance, economics, and climate resources through the University of Exeter Library and online platforms to support coursework and independent research.
Career and employer engagement support: Careers workshops, employer talks, and skills sessions embedded within the Business School help you connect your learning to future roles in sustainable finance, ESG, and climate-focused organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the MSc Sustainable Finance and Climate Change puts you in a strong position to move into careers where financial expertise and sustainability really matter. Alumni from this type of programme commonly step into roles such as ESG Analyst, Sustainable Investment Consultant, Climate Finance Analyst, or Responsible Investment Associate, working across banks, investment firms, consultancies, and sustainability-focused organisations:

Dedicated careers support that continues after graduation: You’ll be supported by the University of Exeter Business School Careers Team, offering one-to-one career coaching, CV and LinkedIn reviews, interview preparation, and employer networking events — with lifelong access available even after you graduate.
Strong employability environment: Exeter consistently reports high proportions of graduates moving into employment or further study shortly after graduation, reflecting the strong reputation of the Business School and the relevance of its postgraduate finance degrees.
Meaningful industry connections: The programme is embedded in a Business School that works closely with employers and global research networks focused on sustainability and finance, giving you exposure to current industry thinking and emerging career paths in green and responsible finance.
Lasting value of accreditation: Studying at a triple-accredited Business School (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) adds long-term credibility to your degree — a mark of quality recognised by employers worldwide.
Career-ready graduation outcomes: You’ll leave Exeter with hands-on experience using professional finance tools and data, along with a strong understanding of climate risk and sustainable investment — a combination that sets you apart in a competitive job market.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, this MSc provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research (MPhil or PhD) in areas such as sustainable finance, climate economics, or environmental policy. It also supports progression into professional pathways like the CFA Certificate in ESG Investing, allowing you to deepen your expertise and advance into senior analytical, advisory, or academic roles.