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 Dr Giota Papadimitri. Giota is Associate Professor of Banking and Finance at the Southampton Business School. Her teaching responsibilities involve modules related to corporate finance and international finance topics. Her research interests include:
Most of her work focuses on the impact of societal qualities such as culture, social capital, and public environmental awareness on corporate decision making.
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 isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
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 :
The dissertation stage of your Postgraduate programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentially, the dissertation is a test of your a...
This module offers an in-depth overview of the financial risks and opportunities of climate change. The module is designed to explore how climate change impacts companies and their operation, the role of green instruments and specialised investors, the ri...
This module provides a deep insight in some key theories and topics in Corporate Finance. The module looks at how firms and corporation manage financial investment and decisions in the long term and short term. The module will discuss topics ranging fro...
The “Introduction to Finance” module aims to offer a comprehensive introduction to Finance. You will learn various analytical tools to analyse the theory of choice, capital budgeting, asset pricing models, financial risk management, etc. You will also lea...
GGES6019 is a multidisciplinary unit designed for students with an interest in sustainable development, sustainability, green growth, complex socio-ecological systems, and resilient development. Over the term we will explore the key issues and debates aro...
The purpose of this module is to provide you with the necessary skills to undertake quantitative research in finance. In particular, we focus on analysing financial markets and firms’ investment and financing decisions. Lectures will introduce a broad ran...
This module provides a comprehensive overview of how businesses can operate with a sustainable and socially responsible manner. The module is designed to explore what constitutes a socially responsible business, the impact of socially responsible business...
This module provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable finance- a rapidly growing area at the intersection of finance and sustainability. The module underscores the significance of sustainable finance, illustrating its potential impact in shaping fi...
You must also choose from the following modules :
This module provides a hands-on introduction to modern computational finance, with an emphasis on practical skills useful in the industry. It is in two parts, roughly corresponding to the “buy” and “sell” sides of the industry. Part One introduces tools o...
This module explores the key concepts and theories of financial derivatives. The focus is mainly on futures and options whose underlying asset is a financial asset (e.g., stock index options). Students will learn how to price these derivatives with the us...
This module aims to provide you with a thorough knowledge of the fixed income securities and techniques available for fixed income securities analysis, together with an understanding of investment data and performance measurement. Emphasis will be placed ...
In this module, the aim is to integrate risk management as part of financial theory and practice. The three main risk concepts in the investment and corporate risk management field are: market risk (times series), credit risk (financial ratings), liquidit...
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. 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 Tuesday 9 September 2025, 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 Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
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
