SUSTAINABILITY IN FINANCE PROJECT - 2024/5

Module Overview

Sustainability is an integral part of financial decision making and reporting. This module provides an opportunity for students to explore key issues in sustainability and to understand the role of finance and accounting professionals in embedding sustainability in decision-making.

 

This module is focused on developing knowledge and practical application of sustainability in a real world context. Students are encouraged to research the existing sustainability record of organisations and to develop systematic strategies for the future.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

TASIOU Menelaos (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Context of sustainability and sustainability in finance


• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and regulatory frameworks


• Sustainability-related risks and opportunities 


• Ethics and professional skepticism


• Sustainable finance


• Sustainable supply chain


• Sources of information related to sustainability

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual version of the group coursework assessment.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Their understanding of the latest development and implications in sustainable finance


• Their ability to design and execute a small piece of research on a sustainable finance-related topic


• Critically discuss and evaluate their research findings

The Summative assessment strategy consists of two pieces of summative course work.

• Group assignment - working collaboratively, students will evaluate sustainability strategies of an organisation(s).  This addresses all learning outcomes.  


• Individual assignment - students will explore future options for the development of sustainability in finance within a specific organisation(s).  This addresses all learning outcomes.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive feedback through practical activities in seminars.  Summative feedback from the first group assignment can be used to inform work towards the final individual assignment.  Students are invited to proactively engage with the module team during live learning sessions and through attending 1:1 student feedback and consultation meetings.

Module aims

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of sustainability in finance.
• Explore the benefits and challenges of adopting sustainable approaches to finance including ethical, regulatory and internal business factors.
• Explore the importance of embedding sustainability goals in business decision making.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

This is an interactive module that includes exploring theoretical and practical concepts.  Students are encouraged to take a hands-on approach to learning through using a range of case study and research to skills and apply theory to practice. The module will enable students to develop and explore the current and relevant topics relating to sustainability in finance and apply this learning in a practical context.

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Interactive lectures


• Applied learning in seminars


• Guest speakers


• Case analysis


• Group and individual work

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MAN3226

Other information

Surrey Business School is committed to developing graduates with strength in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capacities particularly in the following areas: Digital Capabilities: Throughout the module, students learn to navigate and utilise the Virtual Learning Environment and other digital resources to aid their learning. Students have the opportunity to use statistical software to carry out data analysis and use word processing and reference generating software to prepare the report. Employability: The module asks students to select a sustainable finance-related topic, undertake independent research and complete a report within a stipulated period. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate problems and apply knowledge into practice. Students will develop and enhance their transferable and professional skills through the research process and report writing. Resourcefulness & Resilience: Students in this final year module will further develop their confidence, adaptability, problem solving and decision-making skills by undertaking independent research. Feedback sessions are designed to provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their understanding of finance. Sustainability: This module provides students with the opportunity to select a topic in sustainable and green finance of their interests. In addition, this module teaches adaption to changing contexts in terms of technology, institutions, and markets. Students will develop the ability to solve sustainability challenges.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.