2 formats
A 2-year pathway or an accelerated 1-year pathway
4.2 out of 5:
student satisfaction survey graded 4.2 out of 5 for the MSc program experience
Over 3200
Impact finance job openings planned in 2024 in Europe
MSc - Impact Finance and Fintech Management
Full-time study
Esdes Business School
Sustainable Finance, Fintech Strategic Management
Business, management
INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE ABOUT THE MSC IN IMPACT FINANCE AND FINTECH MANAGEMENT – SIGN UP TODAY TO ONE OF OUR WEBINARS HERE
Finance is being rewritten. The question is: who gets to write it?
This MSc-Master of Science program puts you at the intersection of financial expertise, technology, and social responsibility – where the decisions being made today will define how capital flows for the next generation.
You’ll develop the analytical and strategic skills to navigate green banking, ESG analysis, and sustainable financial management – and learn how to apply them in a world where performance and impact are no longer opposites.
You’ll graduate ready to become a force for good inside financial institutions, fintech ventures, or impact-driven organizations – fluent in the language of both profit and purpose.
Study in Lyon – 100% in English, on our historic city-centre campus.
🛂 Post-study work visa: from 6 months up to 2 years to live and work in France after graduation.
MSc in Lyon - France
MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management
What is the MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management program?
Prepare for a career in finance and fintech in Lyon, one of the most dynamic cities in France!
The Master of Science Impact Finance and Fintech Management start date is mid-September (or deferred entry possible in November).
The programs are open to anyone who can demonstrate a B2 level in English and are available in three formats, offering flexibility to suit different profiles:
• Entry at Bachelor’s +4 level: a 2-year program accessible after completion of a validated Bachelor’s +3 degree or a minimum of 180 ECTS credits.
• Entry at Bachelor’s +5 level: a 1-year program accessible after completion of a validated Bachelor’s +4 degree or a minimum of 240 ECTS credits.
• Entry at Bachelor’s +5 level following professional experience: a 1-year program accessible after completion of a validated Bachelor’s +3 degree or a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, along with at least 5 years of significant professional experience (ideal for professionals undergoing a career transition or change).
The curriculum has been created following the input and guidance from key experts in the financial and fintech sectors who have a first hand view of the competencies and knowledge required. This innovative program will give students a visionary learning experience through practitioner and research led teaching in the fields of impact finance and fintech.
The program has been awarded the MSc label from the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles . See more details for Visa. This certification enables students to extend their student visa in order to work in France for a period of up to 2 years* (*depending on country of origin)
A RESPONSIBLE AND ENGAGED SCHOOL
For the past 30 years, ESDES has been preparing students and professionals from the entire world, through education and research, to create sustainable value, in order to build a responsible economy in a globalized and digital world. With this commitment, ESDES contributes to the emergence of a responsible economy driven by its employees, partners, alumni and students.
Our 13-month MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management in Lyon, France, is taught 100% in English and includes a 4-month internship. If you have validated a sufficient French level, you will be able to do this internship in France, otherwise, it will be in Europe.
Programme highlights: 1 site visit + 2 expert seminars – Carbon audit central project
5 teaching blocks in finance and fintech will take students through:
- The analysis, reporting and modelling of financial data for ESG projects
- The conception and commercialisation of a portfolio of impact finance products
- Strategic development of inclusive finance
- Managing the sustainable performance of an organization with Fintech innovation
- Research project
What are the career opportunities after the MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management?
Students who follow our MSc in Impact Finance and Fintech Management will be eligible for all investment and asset management professions, including complementary extra-financial expertise linked to the transformation of finance professions in the sector. Such positions include, but are not restricted to :
- Extra-financial analyst
- Impact investor, private equity investor
- Impact finance strategy consultant (in rating agencies or “Big Four”)
- Compliance officer
- Investment and risk manager
- ESG Manager
- ESG investor relations
- Fintech-based fund management
WHY STUDENTS ARE CHOOSING OUR MSC IMPACT FINANCE AND FINTECH MANAGEMENT?
The program runs from mid-September each year
THE 4 TEACHING BLOCKS WILL TAKE STUDENTS THROUGH THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES :
| Program | Teaching hours
(exams included) |
| Block 1 : How to develop strategy for impactful financial strategies – 15 ECTS | |
| Climate Change Risk Modelling for Impact Investment | 18 |
| Sustainable Finance landscape | 16 |
| ESG Analysis | 16 |
| Impact Assessment & Investment Management | 24 |
| Eco-Innovation and Design Thinking | 18 |
| Block 2 : Measuring and Controlling Performance of Impact Finance : Rules and Regulations – 15 ECTS | |
| AI and Predictive ESG Modelling | 24 |
| Sustainable Investment Regulation | 12 |
| Sustainable Financial Risk Management | 18 |
| Sustainability Controlling and Management | 24 |
| Choice of 2 Masterclasses : Frugal Innovation, Leadership Skills, Waste Management or Responsible Management | 2×18 |
| Block 3 : Consolidating and Analysing Financial and non Financial Data – 15 ECTS | |
| Advanced Excel Reporting | 22 |
| Financial Programming with Python | 22 |
| Big Data Analytics | 18 |
| Project Management Tools | 12 |
| Building an ESG Portfolio | 12 |
| Carbon Auditing | 18 |
| Block 4 : Managing Fintech and the Sustainable Performance in Companies – 15 ECTS | |
| Fintech Solutions | 14 |
| Advanced RPA Programming in the Financial Sector | 24 |
| Blockchain and Cryptomoney Strategies | 18 |
| Green It | 24 |
| Key Account Management | 18 |
Master of Science
Two-Year MSc Programme in finance and fintech
A rigorous and internationally oriented MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management in Lyon, France designed to prepare responsible leaders capable of navigating complex global environments.
MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management in 2 years Overview
The MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management develops advanced managerial competencies while integrating ethics, intercultural awareness, governance, and risk management.
Students build strong foundations in finance, including balance sheet analysis, and business data management to support strategic decision-making.
At the end of the programme, each student selects a niche specialisation aligned with their professional ambitions.
Year 1 – Building Strong Foundations in Management & Strategy
During the first year, students acquire a solid grounding in general management and strategic thinking, essential for informed decision-making in complex and evolving environments.
The objective is to develop future managers and decision-makers with a responsible, analytical, and international mindset. This first year provides the intellectual and methodological foundations required to succeed in high-level specialisation programmes.
Key Learning Areas
- Development of a responsible managerial culture
- Complex problem solving and strategic analysis
- Governance and risk management
- International development and global business challenges
- Data consolidation and decision support
This first year provides the intellectual and methodological foundations required to succeed in the MSc high-level specialisation programmes.
Year 2 – Specialisation through MSc with Applied Expertise
Our MSc programmes are structured into five teaching blocks, spanning 13 months and offering approximately 460 hours of face-to-face instruction. You will pursue your MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management in Lyon, one of the most dynamic cities in France, with its bustling business district: La Part-Dieu.
Courses are delivered by experienced academics and industry professionals using innovative teaching methods and real-world case studies.
A limited number of merit-based scholarships are available.
What is impact finance?
Impact finance is the intentional use of financial capital to bring about a measurable and positive social and/or environmental change.
Impact finance includes a range of capital investments, that seek a market-rate financial return alongside a social/environmental impact. The defining features of impact finance are:
- The impact is intentional
- The impact is measured and managed
- The impact is positive
- The impact is additional (Impact is ‘additional’ if it creates change beyond what would have happened anyway).
The need for impact finance is great. There is an estimated $2.6 trillion annual funding gap to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. More than 3 billion people live on less than $2.50/day, and climate change threatens to have catastrophic and irreversible consequences for our planet.
At the same time, with new technologies and global connectivity, there has never been so much potential to find world-changing solutions at scale.
However, it is clear that creative impact investment models and innovative government policies will also be central to paving pathways to scale. And here lies society’s challenge.
Do YOU want to make an impact ? Start now with the MSc in Impact Finance and fintech management in Lyon to prepare for an international career!
PROCÉDURE D’ADMISSION
Le candidat doit :
• être en train de finaliser ou avoir déjà obtenu un diplôme en quatre ans (équivalent à 240 ECTS) en France ou à l’étranger ; les candidats doivent avoir suivi un enseignement en fondamentaux de la finance au cours de leur formation de premier cycle.
• avoir au minimum un niveau B2 en anglais (IELTS 5.5)
Les candidatures seront étudiées une fois que tous les documents auront été soumis.
Les candidats seront également invités à un entretien individuel en ligne et en anglais dans le cadre du processus d’admission.
Les candidatures sont évaluées comme suit :
| Admission au MSc | Pondération |
| Dossier de candidature | 10 |
| Anglais | 3 |
| Entretien individuel en anglais | 7 |
| TOTAL | 20 |
Les candidats anglophones natifs ou ayant suivi au moins deux années d’études en anglais sont dispensés de la preuve de niveau d’anglais. Dans ce cas, les candidatures sont évaluées comme suit :
| Admission au MSc | Pondération |
| Dossier de candidature | 10 |
| Entretien individuel en anglais | 10 |
| TOTAL | 20 |
LISTE DES DOCUMENTS POUR LA CANDIDATURE
Documents requis pour votre candidature :
- Dossier de candidature
- Photocopie d’une pièce d’identité
- CV + lettre de motivation
- Photocopie du baccalauréat ou équivalent
- Tous les diplômes obtenus après le baccalauréat
- Tous les relevés de notes obtenus durant les années d’enseignement supérieur
- Preuve d’un niveau d’anglais B2 ou statut d’étudiant anglophone ou 2 années d’études 100 % en anglais
- Lettre de recommandation (professionnelle ou académique)
- Frais de candidature
FRAIS DE SCOLARITÉ
Veuillez noter qu’un tarif Early Bird est disponible pour les étudiants internationaux hors Union européenne. Une réduction de 10 % sur les frais de scolarité annuels s’applique si l’acompte de 3 000 € est payé cinq mois avant la rentrée.
Vous avez des questions sur l’offre Early Bird ? Contactez notre équipe : join@esdes.fr
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Pourquoi utiliser Flywire ?
- Utilisez des options de paiement sécurisées et flexibles depuis 240 pays et territoires, dans plus de 140 devises
- Choisissez parmi des méthodes de paiement locales pratiques : virements bancaires, cartes de crédit, portefeuilles électroniques et bien plus
- Bénéficiez de la garantie du meilleur prix de Flywire pour les virements bancaires locaux
- Suivez votre paiement à chaque étape grâce aux notifications par e-mail, application mobile ou SMS
- Accédez à une assistance multilingue disponible 24h/24 via le centre d’aide, par e-mail, téléphone ou chat en ligne
Payez facilement vos frais de scolarité dès maintenant !
Disponible pour les étudiants internationaux hors Union européenne :
En savoir plus
Bourses disponibles :
cliquez ici pour obtenir une bourse
Vous avez une question sur l’ESDES ? Contactez-nous !
L’équipe de recrutement international vous répondra dans les plus brefs délais.
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Tuition Fees
Select your situation
*Indicative tuition fees for 2026/2027, first-time entrants
As an international student, you probably want to study in a dynamic city, at the heart of a city with a strong finance sector. The MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management, taught entirely in English, welcomes students from all over the world. Find out more about it below.
What is the difference between the 1-year and the 2-year MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management?
The format depends on the entry level. The 2-year MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management is accessible after a validated 3-year degree (minimum 180 ECTS), while the 1-year MSc requires a validated 4-year degree (minimum 240 ECTS). A third 1-year format is also available for professionals holding a 3-year degree and at least 5 years of significant work experience.
Why should you pursue your MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management in Lyon?
As a foreign student, when choosing where to pursue an MSc in finance and fintech, you should definitely consider Lyon. Home to more than a million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, it is one of the largest and most dynamic cities in France.
While studying for your MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management in Lyon, you will benefit from the presence of a strong finance sector, represented in its Part-Dieu business district. Lyon is also home to international companies such as BioMérieux, April Group, Euronews, etc.
This provides an ideal context for students from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania to prepare for international careers in finance and fintech management.
How are the two years of the program structured?
The first year focuses on building a responsible managerial mindset, strategic analysis, governance, international trade issues, and decision-making. The second year corresponds to the MSc specialisation, organised into five teaching blocks spread over 13 months, representing approximately 460 hours of in-person classes, complemented by a 4-month professional internship.
Does the MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management enjoy worldwide recognition?
The MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management is a truly global program. As such, it benefits from a high level of recognition:
- it is accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE), one of the most prestigious organizations in France,
- ESDES Business School is also AACSB-accredited, which guarantees the academic excellence of the programme.
With such a high level of recognition, you will receive a high-quality diploma that is recognized in your home country.
Is the Esdes MSc program recognised by the state and internationally?
The MSc program is accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE). Esdes is also AACSB-accredited, a globally recognised mark of academic excellence that guarantees the international value of the degree and its recognition among employers.
Is the MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management really 100% taught in English?
Yes. The program is taught entirely in English, providing full language immersion and strengthening fluency in an international professional environment. This is one of the defining features of the ESDES MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management. Teaching the entire program in English fosters an international environment in which students from all over the world can learn together. This multinational environment is an excellent opportunity to learn intercultural communication and prepare for an international career in finance.
What career opportunities in finance and fintech are available after the 2-year ESDES MSc?
After your MSc Impact Finance and Fintech, you will access opportunities in France or in your home country such as:
- Extra-financial analyst,
- Impact investor, private equity investor,
- Impact finance strategy consultant (in rating agencies or “Big Four”),
- Compliance officer,
- Investment and risk manager,
- ESG Manager,
- ESG investor relations,
- Fintech-based fund management,
What will you do during your finance and fintech management internship?
The program includes an internship that will help you learn your future job in a real-situation setting. Your missions may include:
- Assisting in budget planning,
- Analyzing financial data,
- Analyzing market trends,
- Building and updating forecast models,
- Automating reporting,
- Ensuring regulatory compliance…
These are just a few examples. The experiences you will have during your internship depend on your host company and your position
Is the MSc open to international students?
The MSc Impact Finance and Fintech management is open to students from all over the world. A limited number of merit-based scholarships are also available.
Why is France one of the best countries to study finance?
France is one of the best countries to study finance and fintech management. It is easily accessible from the entire world and offers an environment where students can thrive:
- a strong financial sector spread all over the country,
- a dense startups network, supported by the FrenchTech, allowing innovative structures to shake things up in the finance sector,
- a high quality of life, with a renowned food culture and a dynamic cultural life.
France is welcoming to foreign students, with thousands coming every year to study. Some even start their career there!
ESDES’ MSc Impact Finance and Fintech Management is delivered at the Saint-Paul campus in Lyon (10, place des Archives, 69002 Lyon), in the heart of one of France’s most attractive cities for students and businesses alike.
Key information about impact Finance
$2.3 trillion were being invested for impact in 2020, ie. about 2% of global AUM. A small market niche but one that is attracting growing interest.
Impact investing in private markets could be as large as $2.1 trillion in assets under management, but only a quarter of that, $505 billion, is clearly measured for its impact.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework sets a clear mandate for private financial flows to align with the 2050 Vision of “Living in harmony with Nature”, providing the finance sector with a landmark agreement for biodiversity-related financial-decision making.
Our other trainings
