Sustainable Finance and Accounting (with a professional placement year) MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

The MSc Sustainable Finance and Accounting (with a Professional Placement Year) at the University of Sussex combines the rigour of finance and accounting with the fast-growing field of sustainability, preparing you to navigate today’s complex ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) landscape with confidence. It’s ideal for students passionate about aligning financial expertise with ethical and environmental responsibility — you’ll deepen your understanding of environmental accounting, climate finance, and sustainability practices while gaining real-world experience through a placement opportunity.

Curriculum structure
Year 1: In your first academic year, you’ll build a strong foundation in both traditional and sustainability-oriented finance and accounting topics. Core modules like Accounting, Organisations and Society and Sustainability Accounting and Reporting introduce you to how accounting practices intersect with social and environmental issues, while Sustainable Business Finance and Climate Finance explore green investment strategies and climate-related financial systems. You’ll also develop essential research skills in Research Methods for Finance and conclude with an independent Research Project that hones your ability to analyse and address real sustainability challenges in the field.

Year 2 (Professional Placement Year): The second year is dedicated to a professional placement, giving you hands-on experience in the workplace relevant to sustainable finance and accounting. You’ll apply your academic knowledge in an employer setting — whether that’s an ESG advisory role, sustainability reporting unit, or finance department focusing on green finance initiatives — while developing practical skills and industry contacts that make your CV stand out. This year bridges theory and practice, helping you transition smoothly into your future career.

Focus areas:
Sustainability reporting, environmental accounting, climate finance, corporate governance, ethical decision-making, professional placement experience.

Learning outcomes:
Graduates will be able to critically evaluate sustainability challenges in finance, apply advanced accounting techniques to ESG contexts, conduct independent research, and demonstrate professional competence through placement experience.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is delivered by the EQUIS and AMBA-accredited University of Sussex Business School — accreditation that reflects high international standards in business education and enhances the global recognition of your degree.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Sussex has strong subject credentials, including top 20 in the UK for Business and Economics and top 20 in the UK for Finance, and benefits from excellent research strengths in corporate sustainability and climate finance that inform your learning.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Sussex, this MSc isn’t just about lectures — it’s designed so you gain hands-on, practical experience from day one. You’ll benefit from real industry interactions, support in finding internships and placements, and access to facilities that enhance your professional skills. The Business School’s dedicated spaces — including the Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab and collaborative seminar rooms — make it easy to practise analytical techniques, work with real data, and build teamwork skills you’ll need in your career. You’ll also be supported through the Career Lab and Placement Preparation Programme, where you can sharpen interview skills, connect with employers, and explore internships that match your goals, all while making use of excellent campus resources like the library, research tools, and specialist units focused on sustainability and policy.

Here’s how your experiential learning will stand out on this programme:

Professional Placement Support: You can apply for an optional professional placement year, gaining real-world work experience with employers aligned to sustainable finance, ESG reporting, or climate risk — with support from the Sussex careers team to find and secure roles.
Guaranteed Internship Opportunities: Students on the MSc have access to internships (lasting 4–10 weeks) to apply classroom knowledge in real business contexts and build practical skills.
Career Lab & Workshops: Through the Career Lab, you’ll engage in structured workshops, employer insight visits, and career-building events designed for postgraduate students.
Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab: This specialised lab lets you practise using financial tools and data platforms that mirror industry environments — excellent preparation for careers in sustainable finance and investment analysis.
Collaborative Learning Spaces: The Business School’s seminar rooms, study pods, and computer clusters offer interactive settings for group projects, simulations, and peer learning that mirror workplace collaboration.
Research & Policy Engagement: You’ll have opportunities to connect with the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU) and explore policy-relevant research on sustainability and finance.
Academic & Library Resources: Sussex’s library and academic facilities provide the study environment and research tools you need to pursue independent projects and professional assignments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc Sustainable Finance and Accounting (with a Professional Placement Year) at the University of Sussex go on to pursue meaningful careers where sustainability and finance intersect — whether as an ESG analyst, a sustainable finance professional, a transparency and ESG reporting manager, or a sustainable debt analyst. You’ll leave ready not just for a job, but for impactful work in roles that help organisations embed environmental and social responsibility into core financial strategies:

Career Lab & Careers Support: Sussex’s Career Lab offers tailored careers support including workshops, one-to-one consultations with Faculty Careers Consultants, CV writing help, interview preparation, employer insight visits, and connections to industry opportunities relevant to sustainable finance. You can also engage in internships, community consultancy projects, and insight visits through the broader careers and entrepreneurship team.
Outstanding Work Experience Record: 91 % of Sussex postgraduates complete work experience by the end of their course, strengthening your employability and real-world readiness before you graduate.
Professional Placement Year: The optional placement year gives you a full year of practical, employer-based experience in your field, helping you build professional networks and apply your sustainable finance skills in real workplaces — an invaluable advantage when entering the job market.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum & Accreditation: This MSc is designed in line with recommendations from major professional bodies like the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) and the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI), enhancing the relevance and recognition of your qualification in the global market.
Strong Employability Focus: You’ll be prepared for roles across government, NGOs, global organisations, and industry, with a degree that’s built to meet growing employer demand for expertise in areas like climate finance, sustainability reporting, and corporate governance.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing this MSc, you could choose to deepen your academic journey by pursuing a PhD or research degree in areas such as climate finance, sustainability accounting, or corporate governance. This pathway is ideal if you’re interested in academic research, policy analysis, or high-level consultancy roles that require advanced research skills. You may also explore professional qualifications or membership in bodies like GARP or CISI to further boost your credentials and long-term career prospects.