How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Corporate Sustainability

Start date: October 2025

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Essex Business School

In the past decade, sustainability has become an important issue to be addressed in global financial markets. The financial industry is undergoing a profound transformation, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing being the main force of change. In previous years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in ESG funds, as investors continuously transfer capital from non-ESG funds to ESG funds. These developments in the financial industry highlight the importance of incorporating ESG issues in our pedagogical approach.

This MSc programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the dynamic intersection of accounting, finance, and sustainability. We provide comprehensive coverage of important topics in sustainability accounting and finance that help you develop financial decision-making and commercial awareness relating to sustainability. By taking this programme, you will learn to address the challenges of the financial industry’s adaptation to sustainable development and corporations’ sustainability management practices. You will also be able to engage with sustainability debates in real-world contexts. Finally, this program will introduce students to the principles of ESG and sustainable investing, the use of green investment products, and the approach of stakeholders such as regulators, firms, and banks to sustainability.

You cover topics including:

Sustainability Accounting, Accountability and Management
Corporate Finance
Principles of Finance
Sustainability Reporting
Sustainable and Green Finance

Students who choose the Green Finance Qualifier will also cover the following topics

Dissertation in Finance
Research Methods in Finance

Students who choose the Accounting and Governance Qualifier will also cover the following topics

Dissertation in Accounting
Research Methods in Accounting
Corporate Governance and Sustainability

Our MSc Corporate Sustainability is taught at Essex Business School. You will join one of the UK's largest and most respected finance groups and experience a Masters education that combines theory with practice.

You will benefit from academic excellence in two fields where you will work with researchers who are at the cutting edge of accounting and finance theory:

The Essex Finance Centre (EFiC) works with leading financial services firms and public sector organisations, governments and policy institutions to produce work that makes a real-world impact across the globe.
The Essex Accounting Centre is at the forefront of the field of accounting and produces empirical and theoretical research.

Our world-renowned academics embed the latest thinking into your course to ensure you stay up-to-date with the current developments and major issues in accounting and financial reporting.

Whether you're thinking about continuing your studies to PhD level or targeting a senior role in the world of accounting or finance, this is the course to advance your career.

Why we're great.

Develop a critical understanding of advanced concepts in accounting, green finance and corporate sustainability reporting, including current theories, frameworks, and policy implications.
Apply analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate sustainability and financial data within the context of organisational decision-making and reporting.
Study in the UK's first zero carbon business school building. The design reflects the business school's commitment to responsible business practice both in teaching and research. You will have access to our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Floor which gives you access to the same tools used by traders and business analysts worldwide.

Our expert staff

Our researchers make a significant impact on the lives of people all around the world, with past and current research projects covering five continents.

Modules will be taught by:

Specialist facilities

Our MSc Corporate Sustainability is based at our Colchester Campus.

You'll be studying at Essex Business School, home to the first zero carbon business school in the UK– demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand. Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you'll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

a virtual trading floor with Bloomberg Financial Market Labs, where you'll gain hands-on experience and learn how to model financial data in a practical setting
access to company reporting databases, Passport (GMID) and NEXIS advance UK
learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again' recording to aid your study
utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You'll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub and a cutting-edge media centre.

Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, home to some of the region's most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.

Discover our trading floor:

Your future

We develop your business skills so you can use creativity, innovation and ethical awareness to solve the challenges that the international business world continues to present.

Our graduates can expect to progress to roles, including:

Corporate Sustainability Manager
Auditor
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Analyst
Business Analyst
Renewable Energy Accountant

Our Student Support team work closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in any discipline.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 5.5 in all components. If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS. Additional Notes The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Structure

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Please be aware that we are planning changes to our first year to make it more relevant to your chosen course.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 1 : CORE WITH OPTIONS

(60 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 2 : COMPULSORY

Sustainability Accounting, Accountability and Management

(20 CREDITS)

For far too long, sustainability has been left at the background of decision-making in businesses, resulting in a huge impact on the planet. As the world begins to place a higher priority on sustainable practices, it becomes increasingly important that you as a student are aware of the different existing and emerging models of sustainable accounting, accountability, and management. This module will provide you with an understanding of these emerging practices and how they are working to impact the unfolding global crisis.

View Sustainability Accounting, Accountability and Management on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 3 : COMPULSORY

Corporate Finance

(20 CREDITS)

This module offers you a standard introduction of the field of corporate finance at postgraduate level. You consider the classical areas of Modigliani-Miller irrelevance, Taxes and capital structure, Trade-off theory and Pecking order theory of capital structure, before exploring the more modern areas, which are essentially based on contract theory.

View Corporate Finance on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 4 : COMPULSORY

Sustainability Reporting

(20 CREDITS)

View Sustainability Reporting on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 5 : COMPULSORY

Principles of Finance

(20 CREDITS)

What is the stock market? How do you make a good investment decision? Our Principles of Finance module aims to provide students with no prior background in finance a core understanding of topics including economics, corporate finance, and asset pricing.

View Principles of Finance on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 6 : CORE WITH OPTIONS

(20 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 7 : OPTIONAL

(20 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 8 : COMPULSORY

Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation

(0 CREDITS)

This module covers topics in mathematics that are required in Masters-level finance courses at the University of Essex. You focus on the basics of linear algebra, differential calculus including optimisation and dynamics.

View Postgraduate Mathematics Preparation on our Module Directory

Teaching

Tailor the content of your course to more closely fit your interests and aspirations
Courses focus on practical applications and links with industry
We run an open seminar series, which our Masters students are welcome to attend
learn in an international environment; our Masters students join us from more than 40 countries

Assessment

Regular assessment is by coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests and examinations

Dissertation

You submit a 15,000 word dissertation.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£15,000

International fee

£23,500

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2025 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 20 September 2025 - September Open Day

Saturday 8 November 2025 - November Open Day

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.