MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management

Full Time: 12 months

Start date: September 2020

Combine the study of meteorology and climate science with management training on our MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management.

This course will provide you the scientific background for improved understanding of meteorology and climate. It will also prepare you for current – or future – managerial responsibilities, with a significant course focus on the management of people and organisations.

Whether you want to mitigate the economic impact of hazardous weather events, look further afield and forecast space weather, or focus your efforts elsewhere within meteorology’s broad spectrum, we will help you develop the scientific and managerial skills you need.

Choosing MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management means your interdisciplinary learning will be split between our world-class Department of Meteorology – the University of Reading is ranked 2nd in the world for research in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (Center for World University Rankings by Subject, 2017) – and the triple-accredited Henley Business School.

Many of your modules will be shared with MSc Applied Meteorology, while others will complement your scientific studies with a focus on management and leadership.

As you develop your skills in forecasting, weather analysis and statistics, 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, approximately 1:1, means you will receive individual support from expert 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.
professionally relevant academic content. Our teaching is aligned with the World Meteorological Organization Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologist (BIP-M) and Meteorological Technicians (BIP-MT). This means that what you learn will be relevant to the field and of the highest quality.

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

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 with MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management

This master’s course is designed for graduates with maths or physics backgrounds, or graduates who have studied subjects such as chemistry or computer science.

Many of our students already work in national weather services and wish to develop further knowledge in meteorological science and management.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: At least a second class (2.2) honours degree in a mathematical or physical science normally required (or equivalent from a university outside the UK). Accepted subjects include, but are not limited to, maths, physics, chemistry and computer science. Degrees in environmental or agricultural sciences or geography may also be acceptable if mathematics and physics have been studied to A level or equivalent.

Compulsory modules

Managing People and Organisations

Module Convenor: Dr Chris Woodrow

On this module offered through Henley Business School, you will examine existing knowledge about how people behave in organisational settings, the theories that inform this knowledge and the practical implications for managers.

Introduction to Computing

Module Convenor: Dr Emily Black

Learn the Python programming language and gain the data analysis skills you need for carrying out independent dissertation research.

Forecasting Systems and Applications

Module Convenor: Dr Peter Inness

Learn about the different methods of numerical and statistical weather and climate forecasting used in a range of applications. This is an introduction to the end-to-end process of operational weather forecast production.

Atmospheric Physics

Module Convenor: Professor Maarten Ambaum

Develop knowledge in thermal physics as applicable to the atmosphere. You will learn about phase transitions, cloud formation, radiation, vertical stability, and related topics in atmospheric science.

Weather and Climate Discussion

Module Convenor: Dr David Brayshaw

Through a series of seminars, you will look at weather and climate issues of both local and global importance.

Professional Skills

Module Convenor: Dr Joy Singarayer

Develop the skills and techniques needed for meteorology research and consultancy work. You will work on a team project, participate in a Met Office-taught forecasting course, and complete employment-related presentations and visits.

Experiencing the Weather (Field Course)

Module Convenor: Professor Chris Scott

Understand how and why the weather varies in a particular region over one weekend by building a coherent picture of its evolution.

Dissertation Project

Module Convenor: Professor Keith Haines

Complete a major piece of independent research.

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.

Optional modules

Preparing For Floods

Module Convenor: Professor Hannah Cloke

Understand key issues in flood preparedness, from the local to the global scale, including flood forecasting and warning, response and incident management and building community resilience. Your studies will include a visit to the European Flood Awareness System operational centre.

Leadership Theory and Practice

Module Convenor: Dr Bernd Vogel

Learn the key theories of leadership and understand their practical application in different organisational contexts.

Statistics for Weather and Climate Science

Module Convenor: Professor Mike Lockwood

Understand the basic statistical concepts and reasoning relevant to atmospheric science. You will also gain experience in the proper use of statistical methods for the analysis of weather and climate data.

Climate Change

Module Convenor: Dr Joy Singarayer

Develop a conceptual, but also quantitative, understanding of climate variability and change.

Tropical Weather Systems

Module Convenor: Dr Andy Turner

Learn about weather systems and circulation patterns in the tropical atmosphere.

Hazardous Weather Analysis

Module Convenor: Dr Helen Dacre

Apply various tools and techniques to analyse observational and model data for multiple hazardous weather case studies.

Remote Sensing

Module Convenor: Dr Nicolas Bellouin

Learn how to obtain quantitative information about the contents and state of the atmosphere using electromagnetic waves. You will consider a variety of techniques based on absorption, scattering and emission processes.

Hydrology and Global Environmental Change

Module Convenor: Professor Nigel Arnell

Develop an awareness of the relationship between global environmental change and hydrological systems.

Please note that all modules are subject to change. Please see our modules disclaimer for more information.

How much will it cost?

New UK/EU students: £8,840 per year

New international students: £19,715 per year

Fees and funding information

The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated, and relate to courses starting in the 2020/21 academic year. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information on fees and funding, including for part-time study, through our fees and funding page.

Additional costs

These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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.

Scholarships and financial support

For more information about the University of Reading’s master’s scholarships, please visit our master’s scholarships page.

You can apply for a scholarship once you hold an offer of admission for your course. If you are eligible for a scholarship, we will contact you to guide you through the process.

What career can you have?

Careers for MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management graduates

This degree’s comprehensive joint approach means you will be well placed to pursue a scientific career in weather forecasting and meteorological research, and will prepare you for managerial roles.

A master’s in applied meteorology and climate with management 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.

In recent years, graduates of our meteorology master’s courses have been recruited by organisations that include:

Others pursue a diverse range of careers within:

97% of our master’s students were in work or further study within six months after graduation. Of those in full-time work, 90% progressed to professional or managerial roles (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016/17).

Read more about where our MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate with Management graduates are now

Godwin Ayesiga has returned to the University of Reading for his PhD, and is currently researching large-scale circulation and synoptic scale convection in equatorial Africa.

MSc APPLIED METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATE WITH MANAGEMENT