Sustainability has changed the world of finance, from investment strategies to corporate decision-making. Companies like Ørsted, once a fossil fuel giant, have transformed into global leaders in renewable energy by attracting sustainability-focused investors. Banks such as BNP Paribas are funding large-scale solar and wind projects that deliver both environmental and financial returns. These examples show how finance can drive real-world impact — aligning profit with progress toward a low-carbon future.
If you want to lead this change, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management’s online Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance (MLSF) could be exactly what you need. Just ask Karthik Venkatesh, a graduate who is now a Senior Analyst – Energy and Sustainable Impact at Woolworths Group.
“I come from a finance background and wanted to understand how the sector is shaping and being shaped by the push for sustainability,” he says. “This programme gave a unique perspective on bridging that gap. Attending a school with financial and managerial expertise, yet attuned to ESG and climate imperatives, provided me with a strong grasp of the sector’s evolving role in addressing the climate crisis.”
Students will tackle case studies, collaborate globally, and develop practical solutions to lead change as part of a cosmopolitan cohort of 61 students representing 29 nationalities. Source: Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Global credentials, real-world edge – built around your goals
The school is among a select group of institutions worldwide to hold the prestigious triple-crown accreditation: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Joining the MLSF programme makes you part of a school recognised globally for academic excellence and real-world relevance. This reputation gives you access to a wide professional network and opens doors to international opportunities long after you graduate.
You don’t even need to leave your career and country to reap these benefits. The MLSF programme is offered 100% online. Launched in 2016, it runs for 18 to 24 months with a modular structure. This means you can start with a single course and later commit to the complete master’s degree.
You’ll begin by mastering the fundamentals of finance and leadership before advancing to specialised topics. Through the school’s e-Campus certification courses, you can select electives that align with your professional focus. The programme concludes with a master’s thesis, where you apply everything you’ve learned to a real-world issue.
You can choose between two tracks: Green Finance or Development Finance. The Green Finance track focuses on building low-carbon financial systems, while the Development Finance track explores inclusive growth and social impact.
What ties the entire experience together is the programme’s strong emphasis on practical application. Every course is developed in collaboration with industry experts, so you stay up to date with the latest global trends and challenges. You’ll tackle case studies, collaborate with peers from around the world, and craft solutions that can spark change.
“Change doesn’t happen by simply appealing to people to behave responsibly; it needs to make sense for individual business decision-makers, investors, and professionals,” says Dr. Ulf Moslener, Professor of Sustainable Energy Finance. “This holistic perspective, combining societal rationale with individual applicability, is what sets our programme apart from many others.”
That real-world connection drew many students to the programme. Graduate Gabriela Cordoba Sandoval, now an international expert on Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP), was one of them.
“I expected to have an up-to-date programme, one that is suitable for the real challenges the financial sector is facing, and also for the private sector to access different green financing mechanisms,” she says. “I have achieved that through this programme. Having this knowledge about how to link both worlds — the financial world and international cooperation with beneficiaries in various countries — has opened up a new set of opportunities that I’m keen to explore further.”
The online Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance blends leadership training with expertise in green or development finance, empowering professionals to advance their careers while working. Source: Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
‘Excellent’ experience studying online
Through asynchronous video lectures, downloadable materials, tests, and discussion forums, the programme lets you learn at your own pace and from anywhere. This flexibility allows you to stay committed to your career while developing new skills.
For Patricia Manley, Programme Manager for Act for Peace in Australia, this balance made a big difference. “My experience studying online was excellent,” she says. “As an Australian student, working full-time, the online course delivery and structure of the MA programme was really well suited to help me learn new topics, interact with other students, and explore my own interests in Development Finance.”
To make the programme even more accessible, Frankfurt School offers the MLSF Scholarship Programme. It supports high-potential candidates by covering up to 30% of tuition fees, ensuring that passionate professionals can pursue their goals regardless of their ability to afford the programme.
Ready to drive change in sustainable finance and shape global financial strategies? Learn more about the online Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance.
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