Climate Change Finance and Investment MSc

Our MSc in Climate Change Finance and Investment is dedicated to developing professionals in the field of low carbon finance and investment. Designed around an interdisciplinary foundation of carbon accounting, climate policy and financial economics, the programme will develop your skills and knowledge to help drive the trillions of dollars of new investment needed to face the climate emergency.

The MSc has an international focus, looking at the opportunities and challenges across different sectors, financial markets and levels of national economic development.

Accreditation

Not only is the University of Edinburgh Business School part of a world renowned University, but it is also accredited by the three most influential business accreditation bodies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). This triple accreditation highlights the quality of teaching and excellence of research at the Business School.

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

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which 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.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

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.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

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

The strength of our Climate Change Finance and Investment programme is reflected in the breadth of companies our graduates have found employment with. Hugely respected by global employers, our programmes provide the perfect learning experience with access to world-class academics and programmes that are underpinned by real world insights.

Job titles of our recent graduates include:

• carbon market senior analyst
• climate action & sustainability consultant
• climate change analyst
• compliance associate
• debt capital markets senior analyst
• energy manager
• ESG & sustainable finance analyst
• finance manager
• green finance associate
• investment associate
• investment manager, infrastructure
• lead investment stewardship manager - climate change
• manager, impact investing
• sustainable finance consultant

• sustainable finance analyst

• MSc Climate Change Finance and Investment career outcomes