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Start date: September 2022
Gain a deep quantitative understanding of the climate system with our MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate.
This course 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 even look further afield and forecast space weather – or focus your efforts elsewhere within meteorology and climate science – we will help you develop the scientific and analytical skills you need.
Choosing MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate means you will join our world-class Department of Meteorology – the University of Reading is ranked 2nd in the world for research in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (latest Center for World University Rankings by Subject, 2017).
This course is fully accredited 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 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
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.
This course 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 even look further afield and forecast space weather – or focus your efforts elsewhere within meteorology and climate science – we will help you develop the scientific and analytical skills you need.
Choosing MSc Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate means you will join our world-class Department of Meteorology – the University of Reading is ranked 2nd in the world for research in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (latest Center for World University Rankings by Subject, 2017).
This course is fully accredited 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 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
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
IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent).
Entry requirements: Normally a good honours degree (2.2 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a mathematical/physical science or a closely related subject. Please note, prior knowledge of meteorology is not necessary for this programme.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MTMG01 | Introduction to weather systems | DR Tom Frame |
MTMG02 | Atmospheric Physics | PROF Maarten Ambaum |
MTMG04 | Weather and Climate Discussion | DR Thorwald Stein |
MTMG05 | Professional Skills | DR Hilary Weller |
MTMG34 | Experiencing the weather field course | PROF Chris Scott |
MTMG99 | Dissertation project | PROF Keith Haines |
MTMW11 | Fluid Dynamics of the Atmosphere and Oceans | PROF Danny Feltham |
MTMW12 | Introduction to Numerical Modelling | DR Hilary Weller |
MTMW14 | Numerical Modelling of Atmospheres and Oceans | PROF Pier Luigi Vidale |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MTMG16 | Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
MTMG19 | Tropical weather systems | DR Chris Holloway |
MTMG21 | Oceanography | DR Remi Tailleux |
MTMG38 | Remote Sensing | PROF Nicolas Bellouin |
MTMG50 | Climate Services and Climate Impact Modelling | DR David Brayshaw |
MTMG60 | Atmospheric Chemistry and Transport | PROF Bill Collins |
MTMW15 | Extra-tropical Weather Systems | DR Chris Holloway |
MTMW20 | Global Circulation of the Atmosphere & Ocean | DR Andrew Charlton-Perez |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year
New international students: £TBC (to be confirmed for 2022 entry) per year
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 the UK government's guidance for EU students.
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.
In recent years, graduates of our meteorology master’s courses have been recruited by organisations that include:
- AIR
- Arup
- BBC
- FUGRO GEOS
- MeteoGroup
- RMS
- UK Met Office.
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.
98% of our students were in work or study 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree, Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) responders from Meteorology).