Climate Change Finance and Investment MSc

Learning will primarily be through:

• lectures
• set reading
• class discussions
• exercises
• group-work assignments
• problem-solving in tutorials
• case studies

Assessment methods include examinations, assignments, presentations or continuous assessment.

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment programme structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Award	Title	Duration	Study mode
MSc	Climate Change Finance & Investment	1 Year	Full-time	Programme structure 2024/25

The programme is dedicated to professionals in the field of low carbon finance and investment, focusing on the financial flows driven by society's response to climate change, and is fundamentally interdisciplinary in nature.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

• explain and evaluate the current state of climate change science and key climate change policy initiatives
• understand how to incorporate environmental and climate issues in project finance in the energy sector
• describe and critically evaluate the structure and dynamics of the major global, regional and national-level carbon markets
• explain and apply practices and procedures of carbon accounting
• critically evaluate how governments provide and catalyse national and international climate finance

• understand and apply methods for assessing climate risk and alignment with climate goals

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment learning outcomes

Industry opportunities

The MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment programme has a number of exciting partnerships with industry, consultants, government agencies and NGOs. Our strong connection to industry is embedded in the programme through guest lectures and the opportunity to engage with business figures.

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment industry opportunities

Career development

The explosion of climate change finance and investment has created a range of new types of business, professional careers and opportunities. Our dedicated Student Development Team within the Business School will be an integral part of your student experience from day one. We are here to help you become equipped to maximise your potential in the global market.

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment career development

Career outcomes

Graduates from the MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment will typically pursue a career in climate change investment, carbon markets, consulting or carbon accounting.

Job titles of our recent graduates include:

• audit associate
• consultant analyst
• ESG research and models analyst
• head of green funding office
• international climate investment consultant
• private sector development manager
• research fellow
• responsible investment and engagement associate
• sustainability analyst

• technical advisor (renewable energy)

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment career outcomes

Find out from Maurice, who studied Carbon Finance in 2018 (the precursor to CCFI), what it is like to live and study in Edinburgh.

2024/25 entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year are published below.

Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

• Important points to note when applying for this programme

Academic requirements

You will need a UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in one of the subjects below, or its international equivalent.

• An undergraduate degree in business, economics, engineering or a social or physical science is normally required.
• Candidates with a very good Honours degree in other areas of study or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis

Supporting your application

• Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
• Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements and/or relevant work experience due to strong competition for places on this programme.

Exemptions

If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, you may still be considered if you have 2 or more years of relevant work experience. We may require you to complete the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Records Examination (GRE) which are internationally-recognised assessments of analytical, numerical and verbal reasoning.

If we require you to take GMAT, we would require a score of 600 as a minimum or 555 under the Focus edition. This equates to a performance in the 51st percentile under each format. For GRE we would require a score of 315 as a minimum to qualify for our Climate Change Finance and Investment MSc. The GMAT and GRE are not a compulsory part of the application process, but if you have a score that you wish to report to us then this would be welcomed.*

We will accept results from the GMAT Online exam.

• Official GMAT Exam website

*(Revised 24 October 2023 to provide equivalencies for the GMAT Focus edition.)

Students from China

This degree is Band A.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

2025/26 entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 10 July 2025.

Entrance to our MSc programmes is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

• Important points to note when applying for this programme

Academic requirements

You will need a UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in one of the subjects below, or its international equivalent.

• An undergraduate degree in business, economics, engineering or a social or physical science is normally required.
• Candidates with a very good Honours degree in other areas of study or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis

Supporting your application

• Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
• Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements and/or relevant work experience due to strong competition for places on this programme.

Exemptions

If you do not meet the minimum academic requirement, you may still be considered if you have 2 or more years of relevant work experience. We may require you to complete the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Records Examination (GRE) which are internationally-recognised assessments of analytical, numerical and verbal reasoning.

If we require you to take a GMAT Exam, we would require a score of 555, this equates to a performance in the 51st percentile. We will also accept a score of 555 under the Focus Edition, or 600 under the previous GMAT Exam (10th Edition), providing your test is dated within 5 years. For GRE we would require a score of 315 as a minimum to qualify for our Climate Change Finance and Investment MSc. The GMAT and GRE are not a compulsory part of the application process, but if you have a score that you wish to report to us then this would be welcomed.*

We will accept results from the GMAT Online exam.

• Official GMAT Exam website

Students from China

This degree is Band A.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

(Revised 27 June 2024 to publish 2025/26 entry requirements.)

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

2024/25 English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

2025/26 English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

(Revised 27 June 2024 to publish English language requirements for 2025/26 entry.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Application fee

This programme requires a non-refundable application fee.

• £60

Deposit

You will need to pay this deposit within 28 days of receiving your offer of admission (either unconditional or conditional).

• £1,500 (this contributes towards your tuition fees)

Additional programme costs

See the programme website for more information on additional costs, as well as application fees and deposit payment.

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment - fees and living expenses

Living costs

You will be responsible for covering living costs for the duration of your studies. Below you can find a breakdown of the cost of living in Edinburgh and other studying costs to help you calculate your finances.

• Other studying and living costs

Tuition fees

Award	Title	Duration	Study mode
MSc	Climate Change Finance & Investment	1 Year	Full-time	Tuition fees

Featured funding

• Business School scholarships

• External Scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding