What you will study
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- The growing trend towards social and environmental responsibility in finance
- Conscious capitalism: sustainable finance and philanthropy
- Characteristics of green finance as an emerging asset class
- Main types of green finance products and services
- Economic sectors and activities eligible for green finance
- Sustainable finance management
- The regulatory framework of sustainable finance
- The role of credit rating agencies in responsible finance
- Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility in the professional services sector
- Examining sustainably-focused practices in accounting, tax planning, banking and investment management
- Risks of greenwashing and other problems associated with impact investing
- Debating on the future of sustainable finance
- Conducting a survey on ESG and SR practices in the professional services industry
Key features of the course
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- Flexibility to suit your needs – allowing you to study anytime, anywhere
- An emphasis on personal and professional development through independent learning
- Relevance of topics and practical examples to the context of your own professional practice
- Illustrative practice activities with solutions, “test your understanding” activities and tutor-marked assignments to reinforce learning
- Certificate of completion from London School of Finance and Law
This non-credit four-month course is intended for students who want to gain general knowledge, learn a new skill, upgrade existing skills or develop personal interests in subjects related to sustainably-focused business, finance and investment management. As the course incorporates an element of research on today’s most critical ESG and SR investing issues, it is an ideal way to improve your research skills and to learn both about the opportunities impact investing is offering to businesses and society and about the current sustainability-related problems faced by the investment industry.
This course can be taken alongside your degree or professional qualification studies elsewhere or as part of your informal career development programme. It will be of particular value to undergraduate, postgraduate or professional students of business management, economics, finance, investment, accounting and tax law.
Learning outcomes
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- Knowledge and understanding
- Key skills
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Transferable skills
Career relevance
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- Accounting professions
- Financial management
- Law or law-related fields
- Tax advisory
- Investment analysis and management
- Business administration
- General management
- Sales and marketing
- Risk management
- Management consultancy
- Business and financial journalism
- Professional bodies
- Professional training
- Further education
- Educational management
- English for Specific Purpose (ESP) teaching
- Coaching, mentoring and counselling in finance, tax advisory and business management
- Government offices and NGOs
Study method
Online learning with tutor guidance and support
How long it takes
4 months (128 hours)
You need to be able to spend approximately 8 hours per week on studying this module.
Teaching and assessment
A tutor will guide you throughout the study process and mark and comment on your written work. You and your tutor will primarily communicate with each other through email.
The course work includes online practice tests, tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessment. You must use the online VLE-system to submit your tutor-marked assignments and end-of-module assessment.
The Pass mark for the module is 50%. Upon successful completion, students are issued a certificate of completion from London School of Finance and Law.
Study materials
All study materials are provided on the module website.
Microsoft Office presentations and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of study material are available.
A computer with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Functionality may be limited on mobile or tablet devices.
If you have a disability or particular study requirements, please tell us as soon as possible.
Fees and funding
Course fees for the 2024/2025 academic year: £880
Course fees cover registration, course materials, tuition and assessment.
LSFL course fees depend on the level and duration of courses: check all tuition fee rates for the current academic year here.
You may be eligible for tuition funding.
Registration
Next term start date: 20 January 2025
The module website will be available to registered students three days in advance of the module start. Module sessions will be opened every week or every two weeks to enable tutor-led, gradual progression through the study materials and continuous assessment.
Course registration is open, but please be aware that due to the increased demand it may take us longer to respond than usual.
Registration closes 10 January 2025 (places subject to availability)
Registration for current students:
Registration for new students:
You have to register as an LSFL student to study this course.
Future availability
Sustainable Finance: Major Issues in ESG and SR Investing starts three times a year – in January, May and September.
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English language requirements
There is no formal requirement to prove your English language proficiency to study our courses. If English is not your native or second language, or you would like to improve specialist language skills necessary for your profession, you may complete one of the following English language courses:
A full range of our English language courses can be viewed here.