MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate

Gain a deep quantitative understanding of the climate system with our MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate.

Choose MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate at the 黑瓜吃料网

The 黑瓜吃料网 is ranked 5th in the world for Atmospheric Science (ShanghaiRanking 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).
The University was named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

This course, offered by our world-class Department of Meteorology, will prepare you for a career in meteorology-related science and research, with a focus on:

a quantitative description of the physical processes that produce weather
the physical and dynamical building blocks of our climate
the numerical and computational methods used to construct state-of-the-art models of the climate system.

Whether you want to mitigate the impact of hazardous weather events, understand how our changing climate may affect the jet stream, or focus your efforts elsewhere within meteorology and climate science, we will help you develop the scientific and analytical skills you need.

This course is approved by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) and is your first step towards becoming professionally accredited as either a Registered Meteorologist (RMet) or Chartered Meteorologist (CMet).

As you develop your skills in computing, analytics and numerical models, your learning will be supported by:

our on-campus instrumentation lab and atmospheric observatory. In addition to field trip opportunities, access to these facilities allows you to improve your practical skills.
weather and climate discussions. These weekly sessions give you an insight into current UK and global weather and climate events and incorporate our real-time meteorological data.
small class sizes. Our enviable staff-to-student ratio means you will receive individual support from academics. You will also be fully supported as you work on your final master’s project – our academics typically oversee no more than one student dissertation each year.

You will be taught by academics who are leaders in their fields. They will draw on their research experience to give you unique scientific perspectives into environmental issues that affect our world. Our Department is home to five Fellows of the , as well as climate experts who contribute to the .

Conduct or collaborate on a research project

Your master’s dissertation is an opportunity to further our knowledge of meteorological science and research.

This allows you to:

work with a leading scientist from our world-class Department of Meteorology, who will supervise you on your master’s project
contribute to our understanding of issues such as climate change and hazardous weather
complete a potentially publishable piece of research.

You may also have the opportunity to work on a research project in collaboration with one of our industry partners.

We are proud of our long-established relationships with more than 30 organisations in the meteorological, climate and related sectors. These include:

UK Met Office
Environment Agency
NASA
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
World Meteorological Organisation
European Space Agency

Participate in field work

As part of your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in field work that focuses on observing and predicting typical weather systems in the mid-latitudes.

Over the course of a weekend, you will understand how and why the weather varies in a particular region by building a coherent picture of its evolution. You will do this by:

plotting and analysing special radiosonde ascents
collecting data from an instrumented mast
collecting data from instrumented walks
monitoring official analysis and forecast products.

Build on your scientific knowledge

This master’s course is designed for graduates with a background in physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, or closely related subjects.

It is particularly suitable for those interested in pursuing further higher education opportunities or research and development careers in industry.

Flexible study options for MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate students

You can attend this course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

Overview

Gain a deep quantitative understanding of the climate system with our MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate.

Choose MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate at the 黑瓜吃料网

The 黑瓜吃料网 is ranked 5th in the world for Atmospheric Science (ShanghaiRanking 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).
The University was named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

This course, offered by our world-class Department of Meteorology, will prepare you for a career in meteorology-related science and research, with a focus on:

a quantitative description of the physical processes that produce weather
the physical and dynamical building blocks of our climate
the numerical and computational methods used to construct state-of-the-art models of the climate system.

As you develop your skills in computing, analytics and numerical models, your learning will be supported by:

our on-campus instrumentation lab and atmospheric observatory. In addition to field trip opportunities, access to these facilities allows you to improve your practical skills.
weather and climate discussions. These weekly sessions give you an insight into current UK and global weather and climate events and incorporate our real-time meteorological data.
small class sizes. Our enviable staff-to-student ratio means you will receive individual support from academics. You will also be fully supported as you work on your final master’s project – our academics typically oversee no more than one student dissertation each year.

Conduct or collaborate on a research project

Your master’s dissertation is an opportunity to further our knowledge of meteorological science and research.

This allows you to:

work with a leading scientist from our world-class Department of Meteorology, who will supervise you on your master’s project
contribute to our understanding of issues such as climate change and hazardous weather
complete a potentially publishable piece of research.

You may also have the opportunity to work on a research project in collaboration with one of our industry partners.

We are proud of our long-established relationships with more than 30 organisations in the meteorological, climate and related sectors. These include:

UK Met Office
Environment Agency
NASA
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
World Meteorological Organisation
European Space Agency

Participate in field work

As part of your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in field work that focuses on observing and predicting typical weather systems in the mid-latitudes.

Over the course of a weekend, you will understand how and why the weather varies in a particular region by building a coherent picture of its evolution. You will do this by:

plotting and analysing special radiosonde ascents
collecting data from an instrumented mast
collecting data from instrumented walks
monitoring official analysis and forecast products.

Build on your scientific knowledge

This master’s course is designed for graduates with a background in physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science, or closely related subjects.

It is particularly suitable for those interested in pursuing further higher education opportunities or research and development careers in industry.

Flexible study options for MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate students

You can attend this course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:2 or above) in a mathematical/physical science or a closely related subject. Your degree should comprise a significant level of maths and/or physics content. Prior knowledge of meteorology is not necessary.

Prepare for your master's course

For this degree you are required to have a good knowledge of physics and mathematics.

Check the list of topics we recommend you to familiarise with

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5.

Pre-sessional English language Programme

Our Pre-sessional English Programme is for international students who need to meet their degree programme English language requirements.

Our courses equip you with the skills and language needed for academic success, including critical thinking, self-reflection, learner autonomy, research skills and integrating sources. The Pre-sessional English Programme is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP), which guarantees you will receive a high-quality student experience.

To find out more, visit Pre-sessional English.

Structure

Modules

Compulsory modules

Fundamentals of Weather and Climate

Discover the fundamental principles underlying physical principles and how they can help us understand weather and climate. You'll examine the thermodynamical principles that govern the nature of weather and weather systems alongside the physical principles of climate and climate change.

Fundamentals of Modelling and Data Analysis

Study the theory and practice of creating numerical and statistical models of the atmosphere and ocean. You’ll write Python code to analyse climate data, verify weather and forecasts, and solve simplified versions of the differential equations that govern the ocean and atmosphere.

Fluid Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans

Learn how the atmosphere and ocean support motions on a vast range of scales - from planetary to molecular - as you study the laws of physics applied to fluid. You'll discover the impact of the Earth's rotation, apply techniques of scale analysis, and study the concept of vorticity and how it explains the properties of Rossby waves.

Dissertation: Research Project

Undertake an original research investigation and acquire the skills needed to carry out your own research and/or data analysis. You'll be provided the opportunity to develop your own special interest in the field of study as you work on your research project.

Weather and Climate Discussion

Study weather and climate issues of both local and global importance. You'll gain knowledge of current weather, recent worldwide climate evens and short-term weather forecasrs.

Optional modules

Advanced Atmospheric Dynamics

Learn about the underpinning physics that explain why the atmosphere has a large-scale circulation, why weather systems exist, and how they develop and generate high-impact weather around the world. You’ll advance your theory of weather system and global dynamics, and apply a physic-based process to understand atmospheric phenomena such as cyclones.

Tropical and Extratropical Weather Systems Analysis

Develop your understanding of tropical weather systems and circulation patterns as you embark on a problem-based investigation of both tropical and extratropical high-impact weather systems. You’ll consider the main physical and dynamical processes involved in the development of weather systems and advance your application of the scientific method to analyse cases of extreme weather.

Remote Sensing

Learn how to obtain information about the atmosphere using electromagnetic waves. You’ll consider how absorption, scattering and emission processes can be used to quantify various atmospheric properties, as well as how radar and lidar instruments provide information about precipitation and clouds.

Climate Change: Past, Present and Future

Develop a conceptual and quantitative understanding of climate variability and change, examining observations of changes in atmospheric composition and climate change in both recent past and over geological scale. Additionally, you’ll critically assess the extent to which these changes are caused by human activity or natural variations and what future changes may look like.

Fundamentals of Ocean Circulation and Climate

Gain an overview of modern approaches to the observation, theory and modelling of the physical oceans. You'll develop a deeper understanding of how ocean circulation develops through interactions with the atmosphere, how it plays a crucial role in determining current climate, as well as long-time scale changes in the climate system.

Air Pollution: Chemistry, Transport and Dispersion

Explore the concepts of chemical and physical processing of atmospheric pollutants and their transport in the atmosphere, ranging from local pollution sources to global scale changes in atmospheric composition. You’ll examine processes such as photochemistry, anthropogenic and biogenic emissions, wet and dry deposition, and transport mechanisms, as well as the changing implications of pollution and actions that can reduce pollution.

Numerical Modelling for Weather and Climate Science

Develop a theoretical and practical understanding of the methods used in numerical models for operational weather prediction, climate simulation, and climate change prediction, including coupled atmosphere/ocean models and earth-system models.

If required, you can also take preparatory modules to support your skill and knowledge development, including Academic English for Meteorologists.

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the 黑瓜吃料网.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £12,800

New international students: £30,950

Tuition fee information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read .

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Careers for MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate graduates

Many of our graduates go on to study a PhD with us. Others pursue research and development careers in industry.

A master’s in atmosphere, oceans and climate provides you with the knowledge, as well as the technical and computing skills, to carry out quantitative scientific research and projects in meteorology and related areas of environmental science.

In fact, some of our students have published their master’s research projects in mainstream scientific journals even before they graduate.

Recent graduates have progressed into a range of exciting careers with employers including:

Met Office
Fugro
DTN
British Antarctic Survey
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Aegis London
Civil Service
national meteorological services across the world
and a wide range of scientific research institutes such as the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and the Oslo Centre for International Climate Research.

This list is derived from Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017/18-2021/22, includes all Meteorology responders, © HESA 2020-2024.

Others pursue a diverse range of careers within:

environmental measurement
risk management
policy development
water resource management
environmental consultancy
energy supply
flood modelling
pollution prediction
weather forecasting
space weather forecasting
insurance
finance
broadcast media.

94% of graduates from Meteorology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 93% are in graduate-level roles (three-year average, based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022-2024, Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2019/20-2021/22; includes postgraduate (taught) Meteorology responders).

黑瓜吃料网