University of Strathclyde

What you'll study

The programme blends core finance training with specialised modules on sustainability, climate risk and responsible investment. Typical taught subjects include:

• Foundations of Sustainable Finance: concepts of ESG, sustainable development goals and the role of finance in transition.
• Climate and Environmental Risk: physical and transition risk assessment, scenario analysis and stress testing for climate impacts.
• Responsible Investment and Portfolio Construction: ESG integration, thematic and impact investing, green bonds and sustainable fixed income.
• Corporate Sustainability and Reporting: non-financial disclosure, sustainability reporting frameworks and corporate transition planning.
• Quantitative Methods for Finance: econometrics, modelling techniques for asset pricing and risk measurement applied to sustainable finance problems.
• Policy, Regulation and Governance: financial regulation, carbon pricing, public policy instruments and stewardship practices.
• Research Project or Consultancy Dissertation: an individual dissertation or an industry-linked consultancy project that applies theory to a practical sustainable finance challenge.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, case studies, applied workshops and guest sessions with practitioners. Students will typically complete a combination of assessed coursework, group projects and a major independent project in their final semester.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a good honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, engineering or a natural science. Candidates with substantial professional experience in finance, banking, asset management or sustainability may also be considered.

International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Typical expectations include an overall IELTS score at a postgraduate level with no low sub-scores, or an equivalent recognised qualification. Successful applicants are expected to show quantitative ability and an interest in sustainability issues through their academic record, personal statement and references.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles where financial skills meet environmental and social purpose. Typical destinations include:

• ESG analyst or researcher in asset management and investment firms
• Sustainable investment manager or portfolio specialist
• Climate risk analyst or modeller in banks and insurers
• Green bond and sustainable debt specialist
• Corporate sustainability finance roles, including internal transition planning and sustainability reporting
• Consulting roles advising corporations, governments and development organisations on sustainable finance strategies
• Positions in regulators, standard-setting bodies and non-governmental organisations focusing on finance and sustainability

The programme’s applied orientation and links with industry help students build a professional network and practical experience valued by employers in finance, energy, consultancy and the public sector.

Why study at University of Strathclyde

Strathclyde Business School combines rigorous finance teaching with an emphasis on real-world impact and applied research. The university’s location in Glasgow gives students access to a broad financial services community, energy sector organisations and a growing cluster of sustainable finance initiatives, enabling regular industry engagement and guest teaching.

Students benefit from dedicated career support, specialist research centres and opportunities to work on industry-focused projects or internships. The programme’s multidisciplinary teaching team brings expertise in finance, environmental economics and policy, ensuring graduates are prepared to lead in the evolving field of sustainable finance.