Degree Information:

Recent growth of the global green economy has been rapid. To sustain market growth, carbon and green accounting and management skills require greater professionalism, akin to that of the development of the IT industry during the 1980s.

DCU Business School in association with The Summit Finuas Network and the Green IFSC initiative has developed a new programme in Sustainable Finance.

The recently published Strategy for the International Financial Services Sector 2011-2016, Department of the Taoiseach stated that 'Ireland will be developed as a centre of excellence in green finance and carbon management, through the creation of an enabling, coordinated and supportive environment. This will be achieved through the Green IFSC initiative built on an enabling tax, legislative, regulatory and compliance framework. This will result in the expansion of many of the existing IFSC sectors and the creation of new areas of opportunity including carbon management, IP commercialisation, private equity investment and 'Green Tech' fund management.' This specialist industry led programme will be the first step towards the development of a hub of international excellence in sustainable finance educational provision.

The underlying philosophy of the M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy Finance is that the development of the human capital required to meet the needs of the emerging global green economy can best be harnessed through the integration of skills, knowledge and professional practice.

The programme will prepare participants for advanced management and leadership in all areas of sustainable finance by enhancing the depth and breadth of their knowledge of the sustainability environment and enabling them to critically evaluate processes and programmes within this context.

Furthermore, the programme will equip participants with a relevant range of analytical, technical and methodological skills, thereby enabling them to generate successful solutions to the opportunities and challenges that present themselves in the wider sustainable energy finance context, including low carbon markets, green investment project development and finance, green policy and institutional development.

Aims and Objectives:

This programme is targeted at professionals who have already built up managerial experience in core financial services functions.

While these professionals will have already developed a high level competence in the area, this programme will help them to orientate their careers more fully towards green finance by giving them a more fulsome understanding of the broader sustainability agenda, with the aim of assisting them to move into leadership roles within the green economy.

This programme is also designed for professionals working in the broader financial services domain. It will enhance their understanding of the environment and equip them with the technical skills required to develop innovative service provision in this dynamic and rapidly evolving sector.

At the same time, recent graduates who have yet to gain experience at the managerial level will benefit from the specialised knowledge provided in this programme and will develop important decision-making skills that should differentiate them in the labour market and make them more attractive to potential employers in the area.

Programme Structure:

The MSc programme is delivered on a part-time modular basis with attendance at Dublin City University on two-day blocks (Fridays and Saturdays, generally once a month) ensuring minimal disruption to work schedules while also respecting the personal time of participants.

The programme has twelve taught modules and a dissertation. Assessment is a mixture of continuous assessment, action learning, presentations and exams.

Year 1 features a high level of input from senior executives from the IFSC. In Year 2 participants benefit from leading academic and industry contributors, bringing further research depth and academic rigour to the course. A significant dissertation is undertaken on a supervised basis, allowing students to build up expertise in a practitioner-relevant topic of academic or industry focus.

Progression from the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Energy Finance

Participants who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Energy Finance and later wish to undertake the MSc programme will be required to complete the Management for Sustainability and Finance and Derivatives modules in the first year. In the second year, participants will complete all modules with the exception of the "Legal Issues for Sustainability" module, for which an exemption will apply from the Graduate Certificate.

In exceptional circumstances, the programme will facilitate participants deciding to exit early with a Graduate Certificate (30 credits - level 9 NFQ) or Graduate Diploma (60 credits - level 9 NFQ).

This programme aims to provide finance and related professionals with an understanding of climate change principles and policy responses, risk management and regulations, technologies and emerging markets, finance, carbon accounting and tax.

It also addresses broader corporate sustainability policies and processes.
The course will allow participants to:

• Develop a general understanding of sustainability principles and practices
• Understand the fundamentals of climate change, greenhouse gases and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• Understand the global market dynamics in green products and services and the business opportunities that they present
• Access current information developments in environmental policy and trends (Kyoto and post Kyoto)
• Understand renewables markets and technologies (Wind/Solar/Wave/Tidal/Geothermal/Biomass)
• Gain the fundamentals on GHG targets, carbon management and cap and trade
• Explore techniques and models of asset management, funds servicing, carbon trading, project financing and insurance associated with green financial activity
• Explore corporate responses to climate change (adaptation, mitigation, commodity & weather hedging, carbon footprinting, CSR branding).
• Develop finance solutions for sustainability projects.
• Interact with other professionals working in the area of sustainability and finance
• Understand the key issues and challenges for sustainability projects and technologies
• The specific learning objectives of the programme are to provide graduates with a broadly based understanding of the financing of projects in the areas of climate change, and sustainability along with related financial activity in these areas. It will also allow participants to apply the learning through a project within which participants develop and present a business plan for financing a green investment.

The programme will be delivered on a part-time modular basis with attendance at the University on 2 day blocks (Fridays and Saturday's, generally once a month) ensuring minimal disruption to work schedules while also respecting the personal time of participants.

Participant attendance will be on a part-time basis over two academic years commencing in September each year.

The programme will have twelve taught modules. Assessment will be a mixture of continuous assessment, action learning, presentations and exams.

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Semester 1

• Climate change, Sustainability and Policy
• Climate Change and Markets
• Finance for Sustainability

Semester 2

• Accounting and Taxation for Sustainability
• Management for Sustainability
• Finance and Derivatives

Year 2 (30 Credits)

Semester 1

• Renewable Energy: Technology and Economics
• Applied Econometrics for Sustainable Energy Markets
• Investment and Project Appraisal

• Semester 2

• Carbon Markets
• Derivatives and Insurance for Climate Change
• Legal Issues for Sustainability

Year 2 (30 Credits)

• Dissertation

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)

During its 29 year existence, DCU Business School (DCUBS) has been a core contributor to business education in Ireland. The School prides itself on its ability to deliver excellent management education in keeping with the needs of the market and to provide students with the knowledge, competence and ability to apply it. The hallmarks of DCU postgraduates are their capacity for creative thinking, their cross-disciplinary approach to problem solving and their ability to operate effectively. DCUBS has high quality and academically rigorous graduate education.

The Finuas Programme
The Finuas Networks Programme is dedicated to specialised training within the International Financial Services sector. Managed by Skillnets Ltd. on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills, Finuas aims to support the sector in maintaining Ireland's position as a top International Financial Services centre through investment in the specialist skills and expertise of its workforce.

Networks are developing and delivering new training in the areas of banking and capital markets, investment management, insurance and specialist professional services to the sector. Finuas Networks also facilitate networking among members and provide a range of learning opportunities from expert briefings to certified programmes with industry recognised qualifications.

Overview of the SUMMIT FINUAS Network
The SUMMIT FINUAS Network is a national Network of companies operating in the International Financial Services industry in Ireland. Since it was set up in 2009, 162 companies within the sector have become members of the network and almost 24,000 training days have been delivered to over 3,100 participants.
The SUMMIT FINUAS Network promoter is the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC). IBEC has partnered with the leading Irish financial services industry associations to collaborate in the establishment of this joint Network. These include Financial Services Ireland (FSI), the Federation of International Banks in Ireland (FIBI), the Irish Funds Industry Association (IFIA), the Dublin International Insurance & Management Association (DIMA) and the Irish Association of Investment Managers (IAIM).
Together these associations represent more than 250 firms that are eligible for funding under the terms of the Finuas Network programmes, and employ over 80% of the people working in the International Financial Services sector in Ireland.

Green IFSC
The Green IFSC initiative is an integral part of Ireland's response to the challenges of climate change and sustainable development, where finance, trade, products and services are developed and exchanged in support of the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The Green IFSC is an initiative of the IFSC Clearing House Group, Department of the Taoiseach.

Career Prospects:

"This innovative programme has been developed by DCU academics and leading industry practitioners for finance professionals who want to further develop their skills to work with sustainable financial vehicles and develop sustainable investment solutions.
It will also be invaluable to those who are developing sustainability projects for investment and funding."
Steven Falci, Chairman Sustainable Finance Certificate Industry Development Group, Head of Strategy Development - Sustainable Investment, Kleinwort Benson Investors


"The most promising opportunities involve the development of Ireland as a centre of excellence in Green Finance, a centre of excellence in the Management of Carbon and finally the creation of an enabling, coordinated and supportive eco-system to facilitate this development."
Strategy for the International Financial Services Sector 2011-2016, Department of the Taoiseach

"This course draws together, for the first time in Ireland, the key elements of green finance in a comprehensive and practical way enabling the participants to play a central role in the evolution of this marketplace both in Ireland and internationally."
Paul J. Harris - Head of Natural Resources Risk Management, Bank of Ireland Global Markets

"Ireland is well-positioned to become a green finance centre of excellence - where finance, trade, products and skills are developed, supported and exchanged, as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy."
David Guest - Chairman, Green IFSC Steering Group

Please note that this programme is subject to accreditation.

Entry Requirements:

Applications & Entry Requirements

Applications should be forwarded to Louise Ryan in the Summit Finuas Network by 31st of July 2013 at the latest.

Applicants should hold a minimum of a second class honours, grade two primary degree (level 8) in a cognate discipline, or equivalent professional qualification. Consideration will be given to applicants on the basis of their work experience (with a minimum requirement of three years relevant experience) and/or other relevant professional and/or educational achievements.

If you are applying for a grant aided place on the programme, please forward your completed application to the Summit Finuas Network.

If you are applying for a non grant aided place on the programme, please forward your completed application to : Catherine Gallagher, Registry, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. (Also by 31st of August 2012).

Tel: +353 (0) 1 7008829 Email: catherine.gallagher@dcu.ie

Download the prospectus and application form from www.summitfinuasnetwork.com

Early applications are encouraged as the number of grant aided places available on the programme is fixed. A number of places will also be offered to jobseekers at no cost and participants will retain their social welfare benefits. To find out if you are eligible for grant aid, contact Louise Ryan.

Fees

The cost of the two year part-time programme is €14,500. Some participants may be eligible for grant aid to attend the programme (people who are currently employed in Enterprise). With grant aid from the Skillnets Training Network Programme, the cost to companies per participant on the programme, will be significantly reduced.

Payment for the programme for those eligible for grant aid must be made to the Summit Finuas Network in advance of the programme commencing. All fees for participants not awarded grant aid, will be payable directly to DCU over the 2 years of the programme.

Enquiries

Enquiries relating to grant aid should be directed to Louise Ryan at Summit Finuas Network, Confederation House, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2

Tel: +353 (0) 1 6051546 E-mail: louise.ryan@ibec.ie

For all other enquiries please contact Bernadette McCulloch at the DCUBS Centre for Executive Programmes

Tel: +353 (0) 1 7008915 Email: bernadette.mcculloch@dcu.ie

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Indicative Timetable
(Weeks 20-31)