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Are you passionate about using finance to address global challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and the need for sustainable development? Do you want to gain deep expertise in sustainable finance without stepping away from your career or personal responsibilities? If that sounds like you, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management’s Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance online programme (MLSF) could be exactly what you need.
This programme is about how finance can drive real change. Whether you’re already working in the sector or looking to pivot, the MLSF gives you the tools and insights to work at the intersection of sustainability, economics, and financial strategy. As graduate Patricia Manley puts it: “If you are passionate about learning how we can drive more climate finance to solve problems, do this course. The excellent educators and the cohort of students are inspiring and engaging.”
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management is located in Frankfurt am Main, one of Europe’s key financial centres. It’s one of the few business schools in the world to hold the prestigious triple-crown accreditation: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. That means you’ll join a programme known for academic excellence and real-world relevance. This reputation opens doors to top employers and global networks — ensuring that the education you receive meets the highest international standards.
The MLSF programme spans 18 to 24 months and is fully online, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world while keeping your job. The structure is modular, so you can even start with a single course before committing to the full programme. This approach allows you to test the waters — and once you’re ready to dive in, you can customise your path with electives that reflect your interests and professional goals.
You’ll begin by building core knowledge in finance and leadership, then explore topics through elective modules from the school’s e-Campus certification courses. At the end of the programme, your master’s thesis will challenge you to apply what you’ve learned to a real-world issue. You can choose between two tracks — Green Finance or Development Finance — each with a clear focus. The Green Finance track explores the shift toward low-carbon financial systems, while the Development Finance track addresses inclusive finance and growth agendas.
Neither are purely academic journeys. You’ll work on practical case studies, collaborate with peers on group projects, and apply your learning to existing problems. That’s what makes the experience so valuable. You’re building skills that translate directly to your career.
“The programme has provided opportunities to grow my professional network and informed my work in leading and commissioning an organisational climate displacement strategy to guide humanitarian programme,” Manley says.
Apple Lo, another graduate, made a complete career shift. “I was in the field of fixed income investment and risk management before graduation,” she says. “This programme allowed me to pivot my career path into ESG. The thesis programme allowed me to partner with a local university and receive real experience in the field of sustainability.”
Source: Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
The flexibility of the programme is one of its biggest strengths. With asynchronous video lectures, downloadable scripts, case studies, tests, and discussion forums, you can achieve a lot without sacrificing your life or career — just like Manley did.
“My experience 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.”
Lo agrees. “It was a practical and affordable programme for working professionals with family obligations,” she says. “The curriculum is flexible with the right amount of live lectures.”
And while the programme is online, you won’t miss out on meaningful connections. You’ll engage with classmates from all over the world and faculty with global experience. You’ll participate in sustainability sessions and online forums that help expand your network. One unique feature is the in-person Leadership and Change Management for Sustainability module in the third semester. This two-week session on campus brings together students from both tracks to explore leadership models, ESG frameworks, and values-based decision-making. You’ll even participate in a CEO simulation — a chance to lead a company through a strategic sustainability transformation.
For Lo, this part of the experience stood out. “I especially enjoyed the two-week-long on-site experiences in which I got to spend time with senior management professionals and classmates learning about sustainable leadership,” she says. “I very much appreciated the networking opportunities after working for over 15 years.”
Earn your degree from Frankfurt School and you’ll take a huge a step forward in your career. To make the programme more accessible, the school’s MLSF Scholarship Programme supports high-potential candidates who might not otherwise be able to fund their studies, covering up to 30% of tuition fees.
Ready to lead in sustainable finance, shape policies, and influence global financial strategies? Learn more about the online Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance.
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