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CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing

Incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing into your skill set by earning the Certificate in ESG Investing.

By gaining the certificate, you’ll fast track your credentials when evaluating investment decisions and delivering more desirable outcomes. Take the first step by preparing for the exam with our online study package.

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Course price (2025 curriculum)

£340 (VAT not applicable)

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New curriculum available 1 Jan next year

Register interest for 2025

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Structure

Earn the certificate by passing one computer-based exam.

Entry requirements

Although there are no formal requirements, CFA Institute recommends that learners should have a foundational knowledge of the investment process, whether through experience or through a formal qualification.

Syllabus

Below is a syllabus overview detailing topics and their approximate exam weighting.

Topic Topic Weight
Introduction to ESG 7%
The ESG Market 6%
Environmental Factors 12%
Social Factors 12%
Governance Factors 11%
Engagement and Stewardship 9%
ESG Analysis, Valuation and Integration 21%
ESG Integrated Portfolio Construction and Management 13%
Investment Mandates, Portfolio Analytics and Client Reporting 9%

Online study package

With Schweser’s online study package, you’ll get the flexibility to study where, and when, you want. Our unique online resources are designed to keep you motivated and on track with six months access to the platform. During this time you’ll receive:

  • 15+ hours of video tuition from our expert tutors
  • SchweserPro™ QBank containing 500+ exam-like questions
  • Activity feed to guide your learning from start to finish
  • Two 100-question, realistic Schweser mock exams with exam sim technology
  • Access to the Kaplan Schweser community forum to ask questions and engage in discussions with ESG experts and other learners
  • Email access to academic support
Get a free 7-day trial of our ESG course

Inhouse training

We can also offer the Certificate in ESG Investing or tailored ESG training to your team or whole organisation.

Find out more

Exams and resits

Everything you need to know about the exams can be found below:

You’ll need to register for the exam with CFA Institute.

Once registered, you will have 6 months to schedule and take your exam. As a minimum, allow two working days after receiving your registration confirmation to schedule your exam.

To take the exam under the 2025 curriculum, you must register with CFA Institute by 31st December 2025.

When you register for the exam you will receive a digital copy of the CFA Institute Official Training Manual. You may choose to purchase a hard copy for an additional fee.

Exams are delivered through computer based testing at centres administered by CFA Institute’s testing partner, Pearson Vue.
The exam consists of 100 standard multiple choice and item set questions. It will last for two hours and 20 minutes.
CFA Institute recommends 130 hours of study time to achieve the Certificate in ESG Investing. Experienced professionals may only need around 100 hours to study for this exam.
The global average pass rate is reported to be 71% (source: CFA Institute, December 2022). As a training provider we are not able to report our own pass rates in accordance with CFA Institute.
Exam results will be provided on-screen at the end of the exam and a copy will be emailed to the candidate.
You will be able to take the exam three times within a six month period.

We do everything we can to help you pass your ESG exam first time round. However, if you need a second chance, then don’t worry. With Pass Protection we support you as you prepare for your exam resit. For further information, please refer to our pass protection policy (PDF 20KB).

You can access your resit support by filling in the resit enrolment form.

Kaplan Schweser’s online study portal

You'll gain access to a wide variety of resources to help you prepare for your exams.

Online features

  • View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
  • Take the guesswork out of your study plan with strategically placed weekly tasks
  • Track your performance against that of other learners
  • Complete tests and get instant feedback
  • Access on mobile, tablet and computer
Get a free 7-day trial of our ESG course

Kaplan Schweser online study portal

Access duration

You can access your content from 48 working hours of purchase (subject to availability) until your examination date.

Testing and mocks

Vital to passing your exam will be attempting as many questions and mocks as possible. Your online study package will include:

  • SchweserPro™ QBank

    Access to 500+ unique questions in the SchweserPro™ QBank. Adaptive and personalised technology has taken our world-renowned QBank study tool to the next level. Question difficulty adapts to a student's ability on a given topic, measuring their knowledge and keeping them motivated as they move through the content.

  • Schweser Online Mock Exams

    Practice taking the computer-based test before exam day with two online Schweser mock exams. This realistic exam simulates the interface, format, difficulty, and length of the exam.

Why study with Kaplan

  • 100s of practice questions
    Build your exam confidence with 100s of unique practice questions and two mock exams
  • Pass protection
    We’re here to help you every step of the way. If you need a second chance, we’ll put you back on track for success
  • Ongoing support
    Access to the Kaplan Schweser Community where you can post questions to our ESG experts and other learners.
  • Everything you need to pass
    Designed and delivered by our experts, you’ll receive everything you need for a great learning experience

CFA Institute does not endorse, promote, or warrant the accuracy or quality of the products or services offered by Kaplan Financial. CFA Institute, CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.