MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate

University of Reading

United Kingdom, Reading

University RankQS Ranking

173

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Home/United Kingdom/Reading /University of Reading/MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate

University of Reading

United Kingdom , Reading

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 12 month(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,650 / year

Next Intake September-2026

MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate

About

Develop expertise in atmospheric physics, forecasting, and meteorological and climate data analysis on our MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate.

Choose MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate at the University of Reading

The University of Reading is ranked 5th in the world for Atmospheric Science (ShanghaiRanking 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).
The University was named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

This course, offered by our world-class Department of Meteorology, will prepare you for a career in meteorology-related science and research, with a focus on the use and interpretation of meteorological data and forecasts. Whether you want to find new ways to study our natural world, mitigate the economic impact of hazardous weather, or focus your efforts elsewhere within meteorology and climate science, we will help you develop the practical and analytical skills you need.

This course is approved 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 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 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.
professionally relevant academic content. Our teaching is aligned with the World Meteorological Organization Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists (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. 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).

Collaborate on a research project

In addition to completing your master’s dissertation, you may also have the opportunity to work on a research project in collaboration with one of our industry partners.

Collaborating on a research project allows you to:

apply your learning in the industry and gain insight into the field
contribute to our understanding of meteorological issues, and deepen your own understanding of the natural world
network and enhance your employability.

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 ideal if you want to pursue a career in forecasting or applications of meteorology, weather and climate. It has been designed for graduates with maths or physics backgrounds, or graduates who have studied subjects such as chemistry or computer science.

It is also suitable for people who are already working as weather forecasters and want to extend their knowledge and skills.

Flexible study options for MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate students

You can attend this course on a full-time basis over one year, or part-time over two years.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2:2 or above) in a mathematical/physical science or a closely related subject. Prior knowledge of meteorology is not necessary. A degree in environmental/agricultural sciences or geography may be acceptable if maths and physics have been studied to A level or equivalent.

Prepare for your master's course

For this degree you are required to have a good knowledge of physics and mathematics.

Check the list of topics we recommend you to familiarise with

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5.

Pre-sessional English language Programme

Our Pre-sessional English Programme is for international students who need to meet their degree programme English language requirements.

Our courses equip you with the skills and language needed for academic success, including critical thinking, self-reflection, learner autonomy, research skills and integrating sources. The Pre-sessional English Programme is accredited by the global association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, which guarantees you will receive a high-quality student experience.

To find out more, visit Pre-sessional English.

English Program Requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5.

Career

Careers for MSc Applied Meteorology and Climate graduates

You will be well placed to pursue a scientific career in weather forecasting and meteorological research.

A master’s in applied meteorology and climate also 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.

Recent graduates have progressed into a range of exciting careers with employers including:

Met Office
Fugro
DTN
British Antarctic Survey
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Aegis London
Civil Service
national meteorological services across the world
and a wide range of scientific research institutes such as the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science, and the Oslo Centre for International Climate Research.

This list is derived from Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2017/18-2021/22, includes all Meteorology responders, © HESA 2020-2024.

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.

94% of graduates from Meteorology are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation; of those in full-time employment, 93% are in graduate-level roles (three-year average, based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022-2024, Graduate Outcomes Surveys 2019/20-2021/22; includes postgraduate (taught) Meteorology responders).

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

Dr Nathanael Melia went on to become a research scientist whose work shows that the decline of sea ice in the Arctic could shorten trade shipping routes, and highlights the global economic implications of these projections.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,650

Application Fee

GBP

How to Apply

1. Check our entry requirements

Please see our postgraduate subject finder for minimum entry requirements for the programme you are interested in; entry requirements can vary from one programme to another. International students can consult our country-specific pages for information and guidance on alternative qualification equivalencies for master’s study.

If English is not your first language, you will also need to meet our English language requirements. You can find the IELTS requirements on each course page. We also accept a range of alternative English language qualifications.

If your English ability is not at the required standard, you can choose to apply for one of our Pre-sessional English programmes. The programmes will equip you with the study skills and preparation needed for academic study in English. The length of your Pre-sessional English programme is determined by your current level of English against the English language requirements of your chosen master’s programme.

2. Application and funding deadlines

Although most master’s programmes do not formally close for applications, some programmes do have application deadlines; if your programme has a deadline it will be specified on the course page under the ‘Entry requirements’ section. For programmes that do not have a specific application deadline, places may be limited and programmes may become full. We recommend that you apply as early as possible (particularly if you are an international student) to allow time not only for us to process your application, but for you to ensure that you can meet any offer conditions, arrange your accommodation and, importantly, funding for your studies. For admission in September, we do recommend that you apply by 1 August (if you are a UK applicant) and 1 July (if you are an international applicant requiring a visa to come to the UK) however, we are happy to still consider applications after these dates.

International applicants should also see our advice and guidance on visas and immigration.

Funding deadlines

We require an offer of study for many of our master’s scholarships and bursaries. You should check deadlines for applications carefully, and each scholarship or bursary will have specific application instructions. We may add scholarships throughout the year, so it is a good idea to re-visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

3. Submit your application

You can apply for master’s programmes directly through our online application system, RISIS. For our PGCE/Teacher Training programmes, applications must be made via the Department of Education's Find Postgraduate Teacher Training portal. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation.

Various documents are needed to make your application. You should electronically upload:

full transcripts of all degree programmes taken. If these are not in English, a certified translation into English is required. Please do not mail original copies; we only require PDF copies via electronic upload,
an English language certificate (for example IELTS or TOEFL), if English is not your first language (this can also be provided after you submit your application),
contact details for two academic/professional references. Your references will automatically be invited via email to upload their reference directly once you have submitted your application. Please remind your references to check their junk/spam filters for the email and let them know that the link to the form is only valid for 20 days,
statement of purpose. Your personal statement should outline your academic performance, interest in applying to master’s study, any relevant work experience and skills gained,
a copy of your passport (for international students).

Application fee

We do not charge an application fee to apply for our master’s programmes.

4. Track your application

You can track the progress of your application using our applicant portal, Me@Reading, a personalised resource including information about your programme of study, student stories and what's happening here at Reading. It has everything you need to know, all in one place. When we have made a decision on your application, we will contact you via email. If we are able to make you an offer for a place to study, your offer will contain information about what to do next, including how to accept your offer, pay a deposit (if applicable), and any conditions you must meet to study with us.