MSc Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Tackle some of the world’s most important issues, and study at the forefront of an exciting and growing industry, with our MSc Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence (AI) degree.

At the University of Reading, this unique, master’s-level course will prepare you for a career where you can make a difference. It’s designed to address the growing demand for individuals with understanding of both our changing climate and artificial intelligence, together with the business acumen to deploy that understanding effectively.

This complementary combination of disciplines – drawing expertise from the Department of Meteorology, Department of Computer Science, the Walker Institute and the triple-accredited Henley Business School – offers the first, and currently only, postgraduate course of its kind in the UK. 

Learn how AI can be applied to climate change

A rapidly growing subject, artificial intelligence is transforming how we collect and use data. It has the potential to help solve and understand complex global challenges, including the climate crisis.

MSc Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence is suited to graduates from a wide range of disciplines – including science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) subjects – who are looking for a postgraduate qualification that will help them stand out in the job market. It is for individuals who want to improve their understanding of climate science and AI techniques, and be prepared for current – or future – managerial responsibilities.  

The programme will explore a variety of core modules, such as: 

• The Science of Climate Change
• Applied Data Science with Python
• Managing People and Organisations
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Climate Change: Values, Ethics and Justice.  

Throughout the course, you will develop an understanding of the programming language Python, as well as key management and communication skills. 

You will also expand your knowledge of climate science, AI and machine learning, engaging with these subjects through an ethical perspective and thinking critically about questions of values and justice.

Join a university at the forefront of climate research

The University of Reading is actively engaged in tackling the challenges of climate change and making a global impact.  It has been awarded a prestigious 2021 Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of world-leading research, teaching, stewardship and outreach on climate change.

The course has an excellent staff-student ratio and your learning will benefit from the most recent innovations and developments across climate, computer and data science, together with business and management. 

Connections and collaborations with industry

Located in the Thames Valley, a major UK tech hub, the University of Reading has strong links to potential employers. This network provides our students with valuable opportunities.

As well as cutting-edge practical sessions where students will learn by doing, this course features bespoke projects – many conducted in conjunction with industry. These aim to provide you with deep insight into how AI and machine learning can be applied to develop real-world solutions to challenges arising from climate change.

Reading is also home to the Thames Valley AI Hub (TVAI Hub), a community of academics, researchers, technicians, clinicians and business strategists. It enables members to learn, collaborate, and develop business opportunities within the artificial intelligence sector. 

Teaching and support

The programme can be completed in 12 months (full-time), but if you wish to study across 24 months (part-time), you must contact Programme Director Dr Chris Holloway to discuss this first.

Teaching will be delivered through a wide variety of methods: lectures – including those from guest speakers – workshops, tutorials, and computational laboratory classes. 

The programme will be assessed through a combination of written work, computational laboratory reports, group work and presentations, and examinations.

Students will be expected to undertake the necessary independent study alongside the estimated 350 contact hours. The course will require approximately 1800 hours of total study.