MSc Climate Change Science and Policy
- MSc
Overview
The MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy provides you with a solid grounding in climate change science, alongside a critical understanding of the context for action on climate change. Taught by world-class experts at the Top 15 Geography department globally (QS World University Subject Ranking 2026), we welcome a diverse array of students from different subject backgrounds in science to join the programme addressing the climate emergency together.
Benefits of studying this programme:
- Hands-on quantitative training with climate models and real-world climate data problems.
- Interdisciplinary teamwork and exposure to different disciplinary perspectives.
- Practical skills in Python, data analysis, science communication, and presentation.
What makes this programme unique?
- Emphasis on applied, hands-on assessment of climate and environmental risks using models and datasets, rather than only theory.
- Focus on critically evaluating governance approaches and the role of evidence in decision-making.
- Diverse student intake from varied scientific backgrounds, enriching peer learning.
What you will gain from this programme:
- Competence in critically evaluating climate and impact model projections, their uncertainties, and their limitations for decision-making.
- Capacity to translate scientific findings into policy-relevant advice and clear communication.
- Improved collaborative and project management skills.
Relevance in the real world:
- Valued by government and policy bodies for evidence-based advisory capacity.
- Sought by businesses and consultancies for climate risk assessment, adaptation planning, and impact analysis.
- Meets growing demand for climate literacy across sectors including finance, insurance, and public health.
Programme structure
The programme consists of six taught units and a dissertation project. Taught units provide:
- An overview of climate change science and climate change impacts, including the implications of science for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
- Hands-on learning and a chance to explore the dynamics of the Earth System with numerical models.
- Training in quantitative analysis of climate datasets.
Optional units on the programme offer the opportunity to pursue further training in the use of statistics, GIS, or environmental models. You may also select units that further understanding of the context for climate change policy-making.
You will undertake a research dissertation project on a climate change-related topic of your choice during the summer months, with the support of a supervisor from the School of Geographical Sciences. The dissertation is submitted in the form of a research paper.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy.
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in any social science, science, mathematics, or professional degree (medicine, architecture, planning or engineering).
All other degree subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis if you can demonstrate academic experience in data science, GIS, coding, modelling, or statistics.
Alternatively, six months paid work experience/internship in a quantitative, data science or analysis, or GIS role in a relevant environmental sector, government, NGO or industry may be considered to demonstrate sufficient academic experience; this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
- evidence of at least six months paid work experience/internship in a quantitative, data science or analysis, or GIS role in a relevant environmental sector, government, NGO or industry
- a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Online/self-directed certificates in coding, programming, data science or analytics can be used to meet the requirements; these will be considered on a case by case basis.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level E.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £15,000 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £7,500 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £33,200 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
Depending on eligibility, you may be able to apply for various scholarships, awards and bursaries including the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
The School of Geographical Sciences offers dedicated career coaching sessions and workshops alongside the University's wide range of career services. Regular alumni events connect current students with past graduates working across a variety of sectors.
Graduates from the MSc Climate Change Science and Policy go on to pursue careers across a wide range of sectors. Recent graduates have joined organisations including:
- Environmental and energy consultancies: Ricardo-AEA, Arup, Fathom, and others working on climate risk, environmental assessment, and sustainability.
- Government and public sector: including the Environment Agency and national and regional government bodies.
- Research and academia: including the Met Office, leading universities, and PhD programmes worldwide.
- Private and financial sector: including firms specialising in climate finance, energy transition, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) advisory such as KPMG, OVO Energy, and Salix Finance.
What our graduates say about the MSc Climate Change Science and Policy:
"I enjoyed gaining some hands-on experience analysing climate & model data, communicating their nuances and uncertainties in a policy context, and learning about climate hazards and how to calculate climate risk."- Mireia, 2025.
"I appreciated how the programme combined rigorous climate science with a critical lens on policy, encouraging us to think about solutions that are both technically sound and socially relevant." - Babatunde, 2021.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk