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Responsible Finance and Alternative Assets MSc

London, Stratford (UCL East)

Gain advanced understanding of sustainable and responsible finance on this one-year MSc. You'll cover the analytical and computational foundations of finance, impact investing, and environmental investment and policy — and you'll graduate ready to meet the growing demand for asset managers who navigate between finance and sustainable investment. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£43,500
£21,750
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£43,500
£21,750
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university in a relevant subject, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2
Please note that other than UCL's Pre-Masters and Pre-sessional English courses, the only tests accepted for entry to the Institute of Finance and Technology are IELTS and TOEFL.

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

According to 2019 data from the World Bank, the world will need to invest significantly in infrastructure over the next 15 years to support a sustainable economy. This specialist Master’s has been co-developed with industry experts to meet this global need.

On this programme, you’ll explore environmental economics, public finance and fiscal policy, the ontology and ethics of finance, impact finance, and social entrepreneurship, all while developing a comprehensive global perspective on responsible finance. 

Your programme will combine theory with ample opportunities for hands-on experience, preparing you to dive into the opportunities and challenges of rapidly evolving global markets, such as responsible finance, asset allocation, and portfolio construction. 

This degree emphasises digital tools and technology, offering modules on artificial intelligence, machine learning, portfolio management, asset allocation, regulations, and financial technologies.  

Drawing on our research in sustainable and impact finance, you’ll learn to manage investments that address climate change, the effects of disruptive events, poor management of energy and water resources, and social inequality. This “Bigger Picture” element will deepen your understanding of the context behind your work, empowering you to lead with a vision of finance that addresses major societal challenges.

You'll gain the latest knowledge and emerging practices in financial resilience and sustainable finance, preparing you to meet the increasing demand for a new class of investors in today’s job market, making you highly valuable to employers.  

Who this course is for

This programme is ideal if you are interested in elevating your expertise in investment to advance your career or conduct further research.

It is suitable for graduates in finance, banking, computer science, mathematics, economics or other quantitative disciplines.

We welcome those with previous professional experience seeking to develop their knowledge and skillset. Relevant work experience in the finance industry is recommended but not essential.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities. 

  • You'll get a postgraduate degree from a top-ranked university. UCL is consistently ranked among the best universities globally (ranked 9th in the latest QS World University Rankings 2025), providing you with a prestigious qualification that is highly regarded by employers worldwide. 
  • Study in a dynamic learning environment at the UCL Institute of Finance and Technology (IFT).  
  • Benefit from insights from a cohort of industrial professors, who deliver teaching alongside academic staff.
  • Take advantage of IFT's exclusive research and industry links. You'll attend seminars and exhibition series, at which we've previously hosted industry voices from companies including Wells Fargo, Bank of England, and LSEG.
  • Draw on the Institute’s research in sustainable and impact finance such as the EPSRC Plastic Waste Innovation Hub and the Horizon 2020 Circular Models for Investment in Cultural Heritage.
  • Study in the world's best city for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2024). Our new UCL East campus is designed to promote interdisciplinary thinking and ground-breaking innovation, and boasts accessible, state-of-the-art facilities including shared labs and workshop spaces.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates from IFT have gone on to work with employers such as NatWest, Wells Fargo, Barclays, BP, Oliver Wyman, and more. 

Find out more about students' experiences of IFT via our website.

Employability

Our programme combines theory, practice, and innovation to give you the strong technical and contextual foundation you need to progress into career in finance or investing, or to conduct further research.  

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your Master’s.  

  • Engage with peers, industry experts and faculty members all united in their desire to help shape the future of banking and digital finance.  
  • Take part in our in-house events involving industry leaders, such as Conversations with Industry, where you get the opportunity to ask questions and network with industry speakers after the event. Previous speakers include industry leaders from HM Treasury, World Bank, IMF, BlackRock, KPMG, and more.
  • Join Fintech Connex, a platform that provides our students with unparalleled opportunities and resources in the world of fintech.
  • Access UCL Careers for a variety of resources and events to support your career development, including CV workshops and 1-2-1 guidance. 

Teaching and learning

This MSc programme is delivered through a mix of seminars, lectures, laboratory work, projects and practicals, which frequently draw upon real-life industry case studies.

Assessment is through examinations (short-answer and multiple-choice questions), presentations, essays, coursework, and your individual research project, which you will submit as a dissertation.

Full-time students can expect approximately 14-18 contact hours per teaching week. The exact number of contact hours, composition, and assessment varies throughout the terms.

Please note that some modules run as “intensive weeks” with an industry professor. These weeks will involve 25-30 contact hours in one week, with students expected to put aside additional time for self-directed learning. These modules are coordinated to ensure that no other modules run concurrently.

Modules

The programme consists of 8 compulsory taught modules. These are delivered in Term 1 and Term 2.

Term 1 modules focus on the fundamentals of company valuation, corporate finance, asset allocation, portfolio construction and how finance and economic issues influence the delivery of environmental initiatives.

In Term 2, the focus will be on public finance and fiscal policy, the ontology and ethics of finance, financial strategies, risk analysis, impact finance and social entrepreneurship.

In the final Term you will undertake independent research in a specific area of interest, culminating in a dissertation.

The programme structure for part-time students encompasses a total of 180 credits over the course of 2 years. This flexible structure allows part-time students to tailor their learning journey, ensuring a comprehensive education that suits their pace and aspirations.

The programme structure for modular/flexible students encompasses a total of 180 credits over the course of their studies. 

Compulsory modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Responsible Finance and Alternative Assets.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you - Alumni Perspectives

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Where can a UCL Engineering degree take you? Join us for a panel and Q&A event with UCL Engineering alumni. You'll learn what you can expect from postgraduate study at UCL Engineering and get application advice from previous students! This is an opportunity for all applicants to hear personal experiences of studying with us, but may be most relevant to those applying from the USA, Latin and South America.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £43,500 £21,750
Tuition fees (2025/26) £43,500 £21,750

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The programme may involve some additional costs, which can vary depending on the specific modules and activities chosen. Not all of these will apply to every student, but these could include expenses for course materials, participation in site visits, necessary equipment for certain settings, or other project-related needs.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study responsible finance and alternative assets at graduate level
  • why you want to study responsible finance and alternative assets at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme

where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering

ift-teaching@ucl.ac.uk

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