MSc in International Business - Sustainable Finance
Maastricht, Netherlands
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA | December 1 for EU/EEA
Introduction
Are you interested in analyzing and solving financial problems in investment and business? Are you compelled by the ways in which sustainability issues are changing our understanding of the concept of finance? Do you want to know more about the interdependence between finance and sustainability? Then the specialization in Sustainable Finance could be right for you. As part of the master's program in International Business, the specialization combines finance with the principles of sustainability: environment, society, and governance.
Following the 2008 financial crisis and ongoing criticism of banks and corporations, there is great demand for finance professionals who can implement sustainability principles in a company while maintaining profitability. Bridging the gap between traditional capitalism and a new context of shared economic and social value, sustainable finance is quickly becoming a core part of the mission of financial institutions and companies.
Fast facts
- work as a business consultant, financial analyst, financial manager, investment portfolio manager, risk manager, or sustainability expert
- Double-Degree option available
- 1-year, full-time master’s, taught in English
- starts in February & September
- weekly: 8 hrs classes, 14 hrs group work, 18 hrs independent study
- you’ll get an MSc in International Business with a specialization in Sustainable Finance
Why this program?
Often for corporations and financial institutions, ‘duty’ is less important than ‘profit’. The Sustainable Finance program reverses this dynamic, focusing instead on the application of sustainability principles to management, corporate strategy, accounting, reporting, and marketing. Included in this are issues such as sustainable banking, investing, real estate, and micro-credit. Sustainable Finance will equip you to pair sustainability with profitability now and into the future.
Ties to research
Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics (SBE) is a world leader in sustainable finance. SBE was internationally recognized for cutting-edge research in the field long before it landed on the agenda of America’s Ivy League schools and other European institutions. The Finance Department also founded two leading institutes for sustainable finance research: the European Centre for Corporate Engagement (ECCE) and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). These institutes collaborate with pension funds, rating agencies, corporations, and regulators to conduct research and develop tools that matter to practitioners.
Admissions
Curriculum
Amazing education opportunities
Premium honors program
Premium gives you that extra edge by offering real-world experience during your studies. As part of a team of students, you’ll build the experience and skills employers are looking for. Work on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO, or educational institution. Create a personal development plan. Participate in intensive individual coaching, masterclasses, and workshops.
Internships
Internships give you practical experience that enhances your studies and increases your employability. Many graduates often end up working at the organization where they intern. SBE encourages master’s students to do an extracurricular, 8-26 week internship. The SBE Internship Office has an extensive database of internship opportunities and is on hand for guidance and counseling.
Combine thesis & internship
Rather than face a trade-off between finishing their studies and doing an internship, SBE students have the option of combining the two. During the Thesis-Internship Programme (TIP), your thesis will be written on a topic relevant to a company or organization during a part-time internship. This gives your thesis focus and applicability and gives you practical work experience.
Double Degree program
The Double Degree program at the School of Business and Economics lets you study at two universities and earn two master’s degrees! You can participate at the beginning of the academic year in September, completing part of your master's program at an institution abroad and part at SBE. After completing all the requirements of both master's programs, you will be awarded a degree from each university. Almost all Double Degree programs can be completed with little or no delay in your studies and with minimal extra fees. The Double Degree program has carefully selected partner universities that are high-profile, research-oriented, and preferably accredited by both EQUIS and AACSB.
Courses & curriculum 2022 - 2023
Sustainable finance has mandatory core courses and skills training, and an elective in finance, business, or sustainability. It also includes writing a master’s thesis. You will receive guest lectures from expert practitioners, work on case studies and other practical assignments, and acquire the necessary techniques and tools to conduct financial research, all by way of our hands-on PBL method. In short, you will be equipped with the latest academic theory as well as the skills to apply it in practice.
Curriculum
- EBC4211 Sustainable Finance, Management, and Strategy
- EBC4263 Data Analytics
- EBS4012 Writing a Master’s Thesis Proposal IB Finance
- EBC4054 Institutional Investors
- Elective
- EBC4212 Sustainable and Responsible Investments
- Master's Thesis or Thesis Internship Programme
- EBC4055 Real Estate Finance
Rankings
Rankings & recognition
- Triple Crown accreditation - School of Business and Economics
- Financial Times lauded SBE in best practice examples of sustainability, ethics, and social purpose in teaching and education methods
- UM is the sixth-best Young University in the world
- Financial Times MIM 2021: MSc International Business ranked #37 Masters in Management
Scholarships and Funding
It is Maastricht University’s (UM) mission to offer students from all over the world the opportunity to develop into active, globally oriented thinkers that are ready to make a positive contribution to their societies.
UM’s high-quality, innovative education based on small-scale Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in an international and intercultural setting prepares students for this purpose.
As an open and accessible academic community, UM offers several scholarships to support top-performing undergraduate and graduate students with personal development potential that are experiencing financial difficulties to pursue a degree at UM. UM scholarship students function as important ambassadors of the university during and after their studies.UM scholarship students are selected on the basis of their academic excellence, extracurricular engagement, active citizenship and financial need. As the number of scholarships is limited, the selection process is highly competitive.
Before applying for a UM scholarship, please take into account the factors summed up below. Read these carefully, to make sure that the valuable time you invest in applying pays off:
- You will have to apply for a study programme at UM before applying for a scholarship;
- You are only allowed to apply for one UM scholarship, multiple applications will be disqualified;
- Verify if your nationality is eligible for the scholarship;
- Verify whether your study programme is participating in the scholarship;
- Ensure that if the scholarship covers only the tuition fees, you are able to finance your own living expenses (rent, food and insurances) for the complete duration of your studies.
Gallery
Accreditations
Career Opportunities
Your future
Now that sustainability has become indispensable to financial institutions, corporations, and regulators, there is an urgent need for experts in both finance and sustainability. As part of the new generation of finance practitioners, your career potential will be excellent. You’ll be qualified to work in all the same companies as finance graduates but with a competitive edge thanks to your advanced knowledge of sustainability issues and implementation. SBE has an excellent network of financial institutions and organizations and can give you a leg up into a sustainable finance job.
You will be qualified for many positions, including the following:
- business consultant
- financial analyst
- financial manager
- investment portfolio manager
- risk manager
- sustainability expert
Student Testimonials
Program Tuition Fee
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.