Get grip on insights, frameworks, and skills to evaluate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and measure and manage impact resulting from investments. How to incorporate ESG factors into investment decisions and financial models. Develop your own perspective on the interaction of investing and impact.
This one-week programme on Sustainable Investing explores this rising industry and gives you the skills to navigate the terminology, activity, drivers and participants of the ESG ecosystem. This programme prepares you to harness ESG data to drive financial performance and investment strategies.
This Investments course provides an exploration of investment vehicles, market structures, risk management and investment strategies. Students will learn about various asset classes, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and alternative investments such as commodities, hedge funds, private equity, direct lending, and cryptocurrencies. Through a combination of concepts and practical applications, the course will include key topics such as portfolio management, asset allocation, market efficiency, and behavioral finance.
What makes the course special is the hands-on approach, use of actual and relevant cases, and the focus on new developments in AI, Fintech and behavioral finance.
This course will focus on the following topics:
This course is a logical follow-up on the course (B23) 'Introduction to Finance and Banking' (running the week before this course).
What previous students (summer 2025) say about this course
"I enthusiastically recommend this course to all future students seeking a transformative learning experience. From the outset, it captivated my curiosity and fueled my passion for the subject matter. The engaging curriculum, expert instructors, and collaborative atmosphere fostered a profound understanding of the material. Undoubtedly, enrolling in this course will be a decision you won't regret, as it equips you with invaluable skills and knowledge that extend far beyond the classroom."
Amazing. Never thought learning finance could be this interesting, fun and enjoyable
Frank Conjaerts, CPE
Frans Boumans, MSc MBA
This course is ideal for anyone looking to build a strong foundation in investment principles, whether for personal enrichment or as a stepping stone to advanced financial studies.
The programme is intended for students in banking, asset management, accounting and finance of advanced bachelor or at master level, and for those interested in becoming investment professionals, finance advisors, consultants, and business and non-profit leaders.
If you have no or a limited background in finance or banking, we advise you to first take part in the five-day course ‘Introduction to Finance and Banking’ (B23) which is offered one week earlier and then take this course as a follow-on.
A good command of English is necessary! Given the interactive nature of teaching, students must have the capabilities to actively contribute in class and communicate (understand and speak) in English well, ideally min level B2.
This course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of investing, enabling them to make informed financial decisions in personal pension plans and professional contexts, like as assetmanager of a pensionfund.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Fifty-two hours of lectures/field excursions including assignments (self-study).
Please note: You must attend all learning activities (e.g. workshops, fieldwork) to be able to receive the Certificate of Participation and/or the credits for this course, unless absence is officially approved by the teachers and the coordinator of the Utrecht Summer School. You will be expected to be present until the final day of the course has ended. Please keep this in mind when booking your return flight. You can find your schedule in the Day to Day overview of your course on the course page.
The course fee presented applies to all students currently enrolled in a bachelor, master or PhD programme and to 'Fresh Alumni'.
If this applies to you and you therefore believe that you are eligible for this fee, please mention this in your motivation when applying for this course.
If you are NOT currently enrolled in a bachelor, master or PhD programme or not a 'Fresh Alumni' , a professional fee of € 1.040 is applicable, and will be invoiced and visible for you in your account once you are accepted to the course. Please note: if you do not provide proof that you are currently enrolled in a bachelor, master or PhD programme or that you are a Fresh Alumni', we will charge the ‘professional (higher) fee!
The housing costs do not include a Utrecht Summer School sleeping bag and travel pillow (which you can take home after the course). Please note that the Sleeping bag and the travel pillow are to be chosen as a separate product on the invoice .
If you wish not to buy the Summerschool Sleeping bag and travel pillow and rather bring your own bedding (sleeping bag and pillow), do not forget to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow! In all cases, do bring your own towels, please.