Master of Science in Sustainable Finance
Master of Science in Sustainable Finance
The candidate will acquire the skill sets of sustainable finance to meet the growing need for candidates with this unique perspective and interdisciplinary competence. The candidate will gain deep insight into the role of finance in the global economy, and the adoption of sustainability objectives and practices in response to the social and environmental challenges the world is facing. The programme focuses on the core economic theories that address sustainability and ESG issues, their macroeconomic aspects, and corporate dimensions. You will acquire an in-depth understanding of how it affects financial management and how financial constraints may limit or support corporate responses to sustainability and climate change challenges. You will be trained to use and apply the systematic approaches and quantitative tools of finance to analyze and assess the impact, risks and benefits, of ESG and sustainability in the context of financial investments and corporate decisions. The programme will also address ethical issues that arise when trying to balance interests of investors, employees, other stakeholders, and society. The programme uses a variety of relevant and real-world cases to develop your critical thinking and problem solving skills in practical business situations, working individually or in teams.
With this programme you will:
- Gain a broad understanding of the challenges, trends, and geopolitical aspects of social and environmental responsibility, climate change and global sustainable development.
- Learn the core economics theories that address sustainability issues, their market vs non-market solutions, their macroeconomic aspects and corporate dimensions.
- Acquire the fundamental principles, tools and concepts in finance.
- Comprehend the central role of finance in the global economy, and in the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices.
- Be familiar with the international frameworks, voluntary and regulatory, to assess, measure, report and disclose the environmental and social impact of corporate operations and economic activity
- Understand how sustainability and ESG issues affect financial management and how financial constraints may limit or support corporate engagement towards sustainability and ESG.
- Gain a deep understanding of fiduciary duty and of conflict of interests, and of the ethical issues arising from balancing the interests of investors, employees, other stakeholders and society.
Upon completing the programme, you will be able to:
- Assess and analyze risks and risk premia associated to ESG and sustainability issues as well as traditional financial risk and returns in the context of corporate investments, valuation and optimal portfolio allocation
- Incorporate impact and sustainability related risks and opportunities, investor preferences and long term sustainability constraints into valuation and real investment decision
- Analyze and address agency and incentives problems, both in corporations and in delegated wealth management, to achieve socially responsible operations, investments and financing of sustainable development.
- Collect and analyse data using appropriate digital tools.
- Use and apply systematic and quantitative methods for financial decision making as well as sustainability and ESG management.
- Design, plan and conduct an independent research project under supervision.
Upon completing the programme, you will gain the competence to:
- Integrate sustainability issues into financial management and develop policies and strategies balancing shareholders, stakeholders and public interests to address the array of relevant risks (financial, social, environmental, political, regulatory, etc.)
- Assess the changing importance of the array of financial, ESG and sustainability concerns in corporate financial management and in portfolio management.
- Combine analytical and digital skills to inform decisions and carry out independent research.
- Tackle problems and address issues, through independent critical thinking and the ability to perform under pressure, work in teams and adapt to changes.