Sustainable Finance with Fintech

Entry requirements

A minimum of honours degree at 2:2 or non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject such as Accountancy, Finance, Economics or Business Management. We can also consider an unrelated degree that demonstrates numerical ability, or if no numeracy content we can consider 2-3 years of relevant work experience.

Professional certificates can be considered in support of your application. BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) with no work experience cannot be admitted without additional study relating specifically to Finance.

We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or a previous degree was not taught in English, evidence of English language ability will be required.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 5.5 except for writing which must be at 6.0 minimum.

If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.

Please see our detailed English language requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Overview

Our MSc Sustainable Finance with Fintech degree will allow you to become a leader in sustainable finance. You’ll develop specialist expertise in sustainable finance principles and financial technologies and apply this knowledge to real-world challenges.

Throughout this master's programme, you’ll gain relevant skills and knowledge to be highly employable for careers in sustainable finance, including investment management, banking, consultancy, and policymaking. You’ll develop a range of cognitive skills to allow you to analyse complex financial information, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively with a range of audiences. You’ll also acquire practical skills for implementing sustainable finance strategies including risk management, impact measurement, and sustainable investment practices.

This programme combines academic rigour with practical relevance, providing you with the knowledge and skills needed to address the financial industry's complex challenges. You’ll learn from leading academics and practitioners in the field, gaining a deep understanding of the latest trends and innovations in sustainable finance and fintech.

Upon graduation, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development and positively impact society and the environment.

As Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University is situated on the edge of Edinburgh, you’ll have excellent links to the financial sector of Scotland’s capital city, and the UK’s second-biggest financial and economic hub. Edinburgh is a major centre for fund management and is home to two of the world’s largest banks. You’ll also benefit from our close ties to the London Stock Exchange and Bloomberg, which can provide you with excellent industry-focused learning opportunities.

Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers four key areas:

• corporate governance and sustainability
• financial technology innovations and their applications in the modern financial world
• sustainable finance and its role in shaping environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria

And a thorough understanding of emerging financial markets which includes:

• risk management, particularly in the context of climate change, and
• the analysis and management of portfolios that prioritize sustainable and ethical investments

Your Learning Environment

The MSc Sustainable Finance with Fintech programme is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and lab work, allowing you to get to know and build relationships with the teaching staff and academics. You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.

During your studies, you’ll benefit from and have access to our state-of-the-art facilities, including our professional-standard Bloomberg Trading Room with 12 Bloomberg Terminals to enhance your employability with data skills. These terminals are equipped with industry-standard software that provides live financial data and trading tools to the world’s leading banks and corporations.

Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Business Society which holds regular social events and provides networking opportunities and insights into career prospects in Economics, Business, Finance, and other relevant industries.

Customise Your Learning

You’ll learn six core courses and can focus on the area of finance that interests you the most by choosing two optional courses from: Corporate Finance, Capital Markets, Derivatives, Advanced Valuation of Financial Markets, Portfolio Management, or Empirical Financial Modelling. This gives you the opportunity to customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting a specialist course option.

In semester three, you’ll explore in-depth your chosen area of Finance through your dissertation. You will be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from the analysis of valuable primary research.

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time, part-time or per course. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. The programme will last 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. If you decide to study part-time, you register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of your second year.

You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.

Fees and funding