Study Sustainable Finance at Otago

The minor in Sustainable Finance is a powerful pairing for anyone trying to contribute to the global transition to a more sustainable economy, as financial decisions impact every aspect of society. The entire financial system, domestically and globally, is shifting quickly to incorporate environmental, social and governance considerations across its investments, services, products, and strategies.

This selection of papers will build your sustainable finance skills and act as a strong signal to potential employers that you have developed these highly sought-after capabilities. You will learn how to evaluate climate change strategies and give recommendations to organisations in terms of their sustainability operations, strategy, investments and more.

The skills and knowledge you learn in this minor can be applied across a variety of industries, as each are facing sustainability challenges and interact with finance. Your specialist skill set will be broadly desired.

Why study Sustainable Finance?

Gain the sought-after sustainable finance skills and knowledge needed to help our organisations and communities transition to a more sustainable future. Upon completion, you will be able to confidently make a difference by securing funding, managing investments sustainably, supporting corporate sustainability strategies and climate reporting, and assessing climate risks and opportunities.

Background required

There are no required subjects for studying Sustainable Finance at Otago, but students who choose Finance usually have an interest in making decisions about raising, managing, and allocating money and capital. It’s helpful if you’ve studied economics, accounting, mathematics or statistics at school, but these are not essential.

Teaching style

All teaching takes place on campus in lectures, labs and tutorials. The Sustainable Finance minor incorporates FINC 320 Sustainable Investments, which has sessions in our Bloomberg Markets Lab. It is one of the largest academic trading labs in New Zealand offering students valuable experience by allowing them to use real-time financial and non-financial data on companies and portfolios – improving data analysis and digital literacy skills.

Students graduate with a greater ability to compete for employment opportunities in the financial industry and other roles in the commercial sector. The skills in sustainable finance and business, built in this programme, have become highly sought after in recent years as the world economy tries to transition to a more sustainable future. Otago is the first and only New Zealand university offering these skills.

Career opportunities

Financial institutions are swiftly creating sustainable finance teams and positions, both locally and abroad, so there has been significant growth in the sustainable finance job market.

Graduates will be well positioned to work as and with sustainable finance advisers, investment managers, consultants, analysts, planners and managers for policy, change, development and strategy. These roles cut across industries including financial services, energy, agriculture and government. 

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

Department of Accountancy and Finance
Otago Business School
Email accountancyfinance@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/accountancyfinance

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2023 Calendar and supplementary material.