Our MSc in Sustainable Finance aims to prepare you for the growing market in sustainable business and finance practices. It focuses on understanding how environmental and social changes impact the global finance industry.
You'll learn to use analytical skills to address environmental and social issues, including the impact of climate change.
Our course will enable you to:
A degree in sustainable finance will give you the experience to work on sustainable solutions across sectors, opening diverse career opportunities.
The course has close links to the Centre for Empirical Research in Finance and Banking (CERFIB) research centre. The centre focuses on themes including ethical and sustainable finance. Visiting speakers from CERFIB may deliver workshops or guest lectures. This will allow you to gain further practical and theoretical knowledge.
The course is run in collaboration with the Sustainability and Resilience Institute (SRI). The institute focuses on tackling the critical challenges of today’s society. Our collaboration with SRI will help you to build insights into science and policy. You'll get this alongside the sustainable finance knowledge gained from this course.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
This course is led by Professor Tapas Mishra
See Professor Tapas Mishra Staff Profile for more information.
This course is based at Highfield.
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
To apply for our MSc Sustainable Finance course, you'll need a 2:1 degree in a related subject.
You’ll need a 2.1 degree in a subject which includes quantitative study such as:
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
We do not accept the following subjects:
If English is not your first language, you must show that you can use English to the level we require. Visit our English language pages to find out which qualifications we accept and how you can meet our requirements.
If you are taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), you must get at least the following scores:
If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before you start your course.
If you don’t meet direct entry requirements, you can apply to complete a Pre-Master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus.
You'll progress to your chosen course after successfully completing the programme. Find out more about Pre-Master's programmes for international students.
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
This full-time master's course lasts for 12 months.
Your first semester will include introductory content to sustainability and finance. You'll study a core module in sustainable finance and build your analytical skills.
There will be 4 core modules in this semester.
In your second semester you'll explore the course content in more detail and look at how businesses can operate with sustainability in mind. Through your studies you'll get to learn about the effects of climate change and take a deeper look at corporate finance.
There will be 3 core modules in this semester. You'll also get to choose from 4 optional modules.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
You must also choose from the following modules :
Our MSc Sustainable Finance course covers key concepts and theories through a blend of modules.
You'll study modules that focus on the traditional theories of finance, and later cover modules that revisit these theories to address sustainable practices.
Learning a mixture of approaches, you'll be able to analyse real-world data. This a crucial part of understanding the business landscape and decision making process.
The mode of learning for this course includes a variety of effective and engaging teaching methods. This approach helps to ensure that you can achieve all learning outcomes.
You'll learn through a combination of:
These approaches allow you to build a well-rounded set of skills. It'll also enable you to further your understanding and prepare for formal assessments.
The assessments include, but are not limited to:
The combination of assessments will contribute towards assessing your individual understanding of the subject matter.
Formative feedback will be provided either through practical examples or discussion sessions in class.
The dissertation stage of your course involves an extended and independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing. You'll need to write a 15,000 word dissertation. It will need to demonstrate a master's level understanding of a particular subject issue.
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Download skills overview
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course.
If you study part-time, you may not be eligible for this loan. Find out if you're eligible.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 2 September 2026, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Wednesday 19 August 2026, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
There is no application assessment fee for postgraduate courses starting in 2026.
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
