How you'll study

Our master's courses feature a mixture of compulsory modules – designed to teach you the core material, knowledge and skills – and optional modules through which you can explore topics that match your interests or career goals.

You will be taught by academics who are leaders in their fields, and who draw on their research to give you unique scientific perspectives on the meteorological and climate issues that effect our world.

Our Department is home to five Fellows of the Royal Society, as well as climate experts who contribute to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Some of our master's modules are delivered in collaboration with our industry partners, enabling you to learn from professionals in the field and gain insight into a variety of sectors, organisations and careers.

Our master's courses are designed with practical, hands-on experience at their core. You will have the opportunity to take part in field courses and laboratory experiments.

Dedicated facilities

Make use of our fluid dynamics and instrument labs and on-campus atmospheric observatory, supported by expert technicians and academic staff, to enhance your learning experience.

We have been granted special dispensation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to launch radiosondes from our campus, meaning you can take your own atmospheric measurements and use them in your work.

Live meteorological data

We've been making meteorological observations at the University of Reading for over 100 years, and today our data contributes to official UK Met Office statistics.

You will have access to real-time data and World Meteorological Organization standard measurements through our rich source of datasets, and be able to incorporate the results into your projects.

View weather data from our observatory

All our master's students go on a field trip to Leeson House in Dorset over a three-day weekend. It's an opportunity to take real measurements, help with launching a radiosonde and enjoy walks along the sea shore.

As a group, you'll analyse the data you collect (and that of other groups), and prepare and give a presentation. The trip is a great way to get to know your fellow students, as well as the staff.

For your dissertation, we offer research projects in collaboration with industrial partners, enabling you to directly tackle real problems posed by industry.

These projects offer an opportunity to develop your research skills and work in a professional context with a potential employer. You may also be able to expand your professional network in the process. It is especially ideal if you wish to pursue a career in research, be that in an academic or commercial context.

"These projects are a great way to learn what research is about. You develop the core skills needed to be a PhD student, and it's really different to what and how you learn in your lectures."

Professor Matt Owens

Read about how Matt involves students in his research

Past students have had their work published in mainstream scientific journals, enabling them to start building up an impressive research profile before they've even graduated.

Previous project sponsors have included insurance and reinsurance companies, catastrophe and risk modelling organisations, banks, energy companies, weather forecast and data providers and charities.