University of Bristol - Science and Engineering
MSc Climate Change Science and Policy
Bristol, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 31,700 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* home applicants | overseas applicants: 25 july 2025
** overseas full-time tuition
Key Summary
The importance of addressing the climate emergency has never been clearer. Climate change experts are needed in government, business, research, and non-governmental organisations, to help drive sustainable transformation in changing environments.
Our MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy provides you with a solid grounding in climate change science, alongside a critical understanding of the context for action on climate change. The programme is designed for students with a background in science (through their previous undergraduate and/or work experience), and includes hands-on quantitative training with climate models and climate data. Graduates of the programme will have gained experience in a wide variety of climate science tools and methods, an understanding of the role of scientific evidence in policy, and a keen awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to governing the environment.
The programme is provided by the School of Geographical Sciences, ranked first in the UK for 'Geography and environmental studies' research (THE analysis of REF 2021). You will join our research groups in analysing key areas of climate change science and environmental policy.
This innovative programme also allows you to develop a range of professional skills, including presentation, project work, teamwork and communication. There is a strong emphasis on carrying out your own research project.
The programme is closely linked to the renowned Cabot Institute, which brings together the University's research into the changing global environment, and benefits from our location in the city of Bristol, a vibrant hub of environmental action.
from 25th November 2024- 4th of December 2025
The programme consists of six taught units and a dissertation project. Currently, all students will undertake three mandatory units, providing:
- An overview of climate change science and climate change impacts, including the implications of science for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Hands-on learning and a chance to explore the dynamics of the Earth System with numerical models.
- Training in quantitative analysis of climate datasets.
Students also select three optional units, with the opportunity to pursue further training in quantitative skills (for example, statistics, GIS, remote sensing data) and/or further understanding of the context for climate change policy-making (for example, environmental policy and politics, urbanisation, global development).
Students undertake a research dissertation project on a climate change-related topic of their choice during the summer months, with the support of a supervisor from the School of Geographical Sciences. The dissertation is submitted in the form of a research paper.
University of Bristol is ranked 8th in the UK and 51st in the world (QS World University rankings 2026)
Previous graduates have gone on to work at a wide range of employers after completing this MSc, including environmental consultancy, UK and other government departments, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the UK Met Office, as well as numerous PhD positions.