
MSc Sustainable Finance
Dublin, Ireland
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 23,170 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for full time non-EU | EUR 19,500 for full time EU
Introduction
The MSc in Sustainable Finance (formerly called the MSc in Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance) is designed to provide students with real-world insights into the application of finance in achieving sustainable outcomes for corporations, and the process of investing, financing, and building renewable energy projects.
It is estimated that achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 will require investments of $5-7 trillion annually across both the public and private sectors. The estimated $2.5 trillion investment gap every year in the developing world is a significant challenge but also an opportunity for policymakers, investors and businesses alike.
In this respect, the course will advance your understanding of finance theory and the application of sustainability factors (with a focus on environmental issues) to financial markets. The course also features a strong low-carbon energy component and aims to equip students with creative and analytical approaches to problem-solving in the sustainable finance context as well as enhance the students’ interpersonal and leadership skills. Additionally, our programme prepares our students with skills necessary in today’s world, such as coding and building green portfolios.
The programme is suitable for graduates with backgrounds not only in business, finance and economics, but in fields such as environmental science, physics, engineering, and math who are keen to pursue a career in the sustainable business and finance industry.
The programme can be undertaken on a part-time basis, thus enabling current professionals with the relevant background to combine working life with study. Note that this is not a dedicated part-time programme and students will be required to attend lectures, and tutorials and complete group assignments in conjunction with the full-time cohort, for whom the schedule is primarily during working hours for a block of hours on several days a week. Modules in the autumn trimester will be delivered in a compressed format meaning that modules are taught intensively over two 6-week periods, requiring additional attendance at lectures and tutorials. Employer support is therefore essential.
Duration
- Full-Time Programme: 12 Months
- Part-Time Programme: 24 Months
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
UCD Smurfit Scholarships offer a life-changing opportunity to prospective students. By offering merit-based scholarships, we recruit the highest quality students from across the world; while our financial needs-based scholarships put an MBA or Masters within reach for several ambitious students each year. Smurfit Scholarships are in high demand and there is significant competition each year.
Curriculum
The curriculum encompasses a substantial set of finance modules to ensure a deep financial background of every student, the major theoretical aspects of renewable energy and environmental finance, along with modules focusing upon the tools and techniques for evaluating a comprehensive range of global, regional and firm level environmental and financial issues.
Students complete 12 core modules.
Knowledge of mathematics foundations will be required for several core finance modules in the autumn trimester. Mathematics foundations involving set theory, calculus, linear algebra, and probability and statistics will be tested.
In the summer trimester, students complete 1 core module, plus one of three pathways. With any possible internship opportunity students have to go through a competitive recruitment process, including selection interviews with employers.
Autumn Trimester
Core modules
- Quantitative Methods for Finance
- Financial Econometrics
- Capital Markets and Instruments
- Applied Derivative Securities
- Financial Theory
- Financial Analysis
Spring Trimester
Core modules
- Sustainable Finance
- Renewable Energy Finance
- Energy Economics and Policy
- Portfolio and Risk Management
Summer Trimester
Core Module
- Ethics in Financial Services
Choose one pathway (A, B or C):
Pathway A
- Green Data Science
plus 2 option modules from:
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Advanced Treasury Management and Financial Engineering
- Financial Technology
- Structured Finance
- Business Communications
Pathway B
- Green Data Science
plus
Summer Internship
Pathway C
- Research Dissertation
Please be advised that the above reflects the 2024/2025 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Option modules listed are indicative of what has been delivered in previous years and are also subject to change. Note that module descriptors are updated in advance of each academic term.
Global Leadership Programme (GLP)
Our optional Global Leadership Programme (GLP) offers you a unique opportunity to engage in a diverse range of co-curricular professional development activities alongside the modules you take on the Master's programme. Participation in the GLP can give you an advantage over similarly qualified job candidates and increase your readiness for success in the workplace.
Sustainable Development Goals
As part of the curriculum, students are engaged with issues related to sustainability in all of its many facets, including responsible leadership, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and inclusive business practices. As educators, we believe in the value of exposing our students to a variety of perspectives on the role of business in society and equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle even the most intractable problems. Our programmes seek to develop informed and imaginative leaders that are mindful of responsible and sustainable business objectives and practices and embed a number of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the curriculum.
Program Outcome
What will I learn?
As well as a comprehensive knowledge of finance, you will acquire an in-depth understanding of the practical integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in financial decision making. You will also develop the professional and personal knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the sustainable finance and impact investing field. Through this Masters you will gain:
- A comprehensive understanding of the industries integrating sustainable development into financial markets, including the quantitative approaches to best model opportunities and risks, discussions of recent technological developments and a close connection to relevant professional organisations such as Sustainable Nation Ireland.
- Critical awareness of the operation and functions of renewable energy and green commodity markets and the pricing implications.
- Enhanced knowledge of the financing principles, project management requirements and developments in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors.
- Strong emphasis on the development of interpersonal skills, leadership and problem-solving, as well as tracking recent activity at Irish and European levels, ensuring that graduates are well-informed on industry developments.
How will I benefit?
- As the only Master’s programme in the world which has an in-depth coverage of renewable energy finance, environmental and impact finance, and green data science, this course offers an unrivalled level of specialisation in global clean energy and sustainable finance markets with significant career opportunities. Graduates of this programme are in high demand, both internationally and within Ireland.
- The invaluable knowledge of top-class academics combined with the participation of key figures from the areas of sustainable business and finance results in an especially rich and relevant curriculum. The breadth of the course content is reflected by the flexibility of the course (students can choose from three different pathways of completion) as well as the varied approach to assessment (examination, research papers, empirical projects, presentations, course work, internship/research project).
- It provides a springboard for a career in a wide range of public and private sector organisations, from asset management firms, venture capital funds, renewable energy and green data companies through to national governments and banking institutions.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The MSc in Sustainable Finance (formerly called the MSc in Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance) from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is highly regarded within the energy and renewables industry. Our graduates go on to occupy positions in both the public and private sectors.
84% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published December 2023.
Potential careers for our graduates include:
- ESG Analyst
- Project Financing
- Energy Trading
- Business Development
- Commodity Broker/Trader
- Planning Officer
- Research Analyst
- Industrial Engineer
- Policy Research
Accreditations
Student Testimonials
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.