Sustainable Accounting and Finance MSc

This MSc in Sustainable Accounting and Finance emphasises important aspects of Accounting and Finance that relate to Climate Change: Accounting, because of its role in measuring and reporting firms’ financial performance and policies; and, Finance, through its ability to evaluate and price firms’ performance in financial markets. The course aims to prepare you so that you can actively participate in decision-making to resolve some of the pressing problems of Climate Change.

The aims and objectives of the course are in line with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (2015) and the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) – the latter being a platform whose mission is to transform management education by developing responsible decision-makers who promote sustainable development. Furthermore, the Climate Change 2023 Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calls on policy makers to achieve deep emission reductions to secure a sustainable future. The aims and objectives of the course are in line with these pressing developments, since it will enable you to understand how sustainability is measured and reported by firms, as well as how sustainability is valued in financial markets.

The course starts in September each year. It should be completed in one year for full-time students, 16 months for full-time students with internship, 2 years for full-time students with placement. The course is designed so that full-time students can complete four modules in each of the first two terms, with the dissertation completed by the end of term three for full-time students and for full-time students with placement. For full-time students with internship, the internship is undertaken after the first two terms and is then followed by the dissertation.

This course can be studied 1 year full-time, 24 months full-time with placement or 16 months full-time with placement, starting in September.

There is a growing demand for knowledge and training in sustainability, particularly in Accounting and Finance. The growing demand reflects concerns about Climate Change and how firms and business should respond to its challenges. According to a report by Deloitte, a Big Four accountancy firm, Sustainable Finance is quickly becoming mainstream. However, for Sustainable Finance to achieve its goals, it must be supported by accounting and financial reporting.

Since the global financial crisis, governments and international institutions such as the United Nations have emphasised the importance of sustainable decision-making and the need to monitor economic activities. Climate Change, natural resource depletion and the recent pandemic have introduced additional challenges. These developments emphasise the need to prioritise training in Sustainable Accounting and Finance. The course is designed with these considerations in mind, by providing you with the skills and tools to influence corporate decisions that mitigate problems posed by Climate Change.

A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree (or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification) in, Economics and Accountancy, Finance and Accountancy, Banking and Accountancy or Environmental Economics and Accountancy

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

The course is delivered by academic staff at the Economics and Finance Department of the university. Our staff have skills, knowledge and financial tools to help you to critically understand how accounting and finance can support firms and businesses in achieving their sustainability goals. We adopt an integrated approach to teaching and learning, using lectures, seminars, directed independent study, workshops and oral presentations. Our staff are research active. Their research is published in national and international journals, and the business press. They will help you both improve your understanding of sustainability and enhance your career development.

The dissertation provides the opportunity to undertake an independent piece of research and to integrate your knowledge of sustainable finance and accounting. During the dissertation, you will have the opportunity to applying statistical methods to solve an accounting or finance research problem, using sustainability analytics from databases such as Thomson/Refinitiv Datastream and Bloomberg.

The taught modules are assessed using a mix of coursework and examinations, in addition to assessments based on seminars and oral presentations. The taught modules will prepare you for your dissertation. You will be offered feedback on your assignments, examinations and dissertation, to help you improve your understanding, as well as support on academic issues to help you improve your academic performance. You will be allocated to a member of the academic staff to support and supervise you for your dissertation. Dissertation supervision takes the form of regular meetings with your supervisor so that you receive the necessary feedback and guidance to successfully complete the dissertation.

The Student Support and Welfare Team at the university will offer support and guidance on a range of personal, welfare and financial issues.