Financing and Investing in Infrastructure

Financing and Investing in Infrastructure, offered by Bocconi University through Coursera, is an online course designed to build practical knowledge in infrastructure finance and private investment approaches. The course begins with the shift away from purely public financing models, noting that budget constraints and inefficiencies in public infrastructure management have increased the role of private investors. It introduces learners to how debt and equity are used to finance infrastructure investments and how investors evaluate infrastructure projects from the standpoint of equity, debt, and hybrid instruments. Designed as a foundational but applied course, it is particularly relevant for learners seeking to understand the financial structures behind large-scale infrastructure transactions.

Core Content

The curriculum focuses on the practical aspects of project finance and the financial techniques most frequently used in infrastructure investing. Across seven modules, the course covers project finance and contract structures, syndication, risk analysis, capital budgeting, financial sustainability, creditor protection, and business case application. Coursera’s module outline shows a strong emphasis on real-life examples and case studies, helping learners connect theoretical financial concepts with actual market practice. This structure makes the course particularly useful for understanding how complex infrastructure deals are built, financed, evaluated, and monitored in real investment settings.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to understand how private investors approach infrastructure projects and how financial instruments are used to structure them effectively. The course equips learners with skills in project finance, risk analysis, capital budgeting, contract interpretation, and financial sustainability assessment. It also helps participants understand how lenders and equity sponsors evaluate infrastructure transactions and how different financing structures influence deal outcomes. By the end of the course, learners are expected to be capable of analyzing a complex transaction, identifying the key elements of a deal, and suggesting suitable solutions for deal structuring from a financial advisor’s perspective.

Target Learners

This course is designed for students, finance professionals, infrastructure practitioners, and learners interested in project finance and investment decision-making. It is particularly relevant for those seeking to understand how infrastructure deals are financed in practice, especially as private capital plays a growing role in sectors traditionally supported by public sources. The course also suits learners who want a stronger grounding in infrastructure transactions from the perspective of banks, investors, financial advisors, and sponsors. Open to those looking to build or strengthen practical finance knowledge, it offers a useful entry point into the business of infrastructure investment.

Learning Format

Hosted on Coursera, the course is delivered in a flexible online format with seven modules and an estimated completion time of one week at roughly ten hours of study per week. The course format consists of lecture videos, readings, assignments, and talks given by guest speakers. It is structured to support both full-course participation and selective topic-based learning, allowing learners to focus on individual areas where needed. Coursera also notes that the course includes seven assignments and offers a shareable certificate, making it suitable for learners seeking both flexibility and formal recognition of completion.

Additional Benefits

The course offers strong practical value for learners who want to move beyond theory and understand how infrastructure finance works in real transactions. Its repeated use of case studies and business examples helps participants connect analytical frameworks with actual deal structures and financing challenges. Because it combines project finance concepts with lender, investor, and advisor perspectives, it supports a more rounded understanding of how infrastructure investments are assessed and executed. The shareable certificate also adds professional value for those looking to demonstrate knowledge in infrastructure finance, project investment, and transaction analysis.

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