MSc Climate Change and Risk Management

This Masters is very broad and covers a range of issues involved with climate change, including sustainable energy, climate modelling and communicating climate science among others, all of which are vital in order to appreciate the importance of this field of study. Students are encouraged to be open-minded and opinions from both scientists and sceptics are explored.

The standard of teaching is very high and the Cornwall Campus itself has excellent facilities. As a place to study, Falmouth is surrounded by fantastic open countryside and beaches, a perfect place to study this subject.
Sophie Lawrence, MSc Climate Change and Risk Management graduate

Why study MSc Climate Change and Risk Management at the University of Exeter?

• A unique opportunity to combine the study of past and contemporary climate change with an understanding of the associated risks and impacts

• Close links with business and the world-leading Hadley Centre at the UK Met Office

• Use of the latest technology for earth observation and climate modelling

• Excellent employment prospects in this rapidly developing sector

• Wide range of guest speakers from industry, academia, NGOs and the environmental movement

• Opportunity to carry out original research as part of the Environmental Processes and Change Research Group

• Suitable for graduates with a wide range of degree backgrounds, including the sciences, humanities and social sciences

• Based at the University’s Cornwall Campus near Falmouth

Climate change is one of the most important issues facing society today and in the future. The social and economic cost of climate change is estimated at running into billions of pounds over the next thirty years. As a result, governments and private industry are increasingly seeking information to understand the associated risks and impacts in order to develop adaptation and mitigation strategies. Organisations such as insurance and law firms, environmental consultancies and regional and national government are seeking employees with a well-developed understanding of climate change and the risks and opportunities that result.

The MSc in Climate Change and Risk Management is the first Masters programme in the UK that combines an understanding of risk with climate change, providing you with the skills demanded across a range of sectors, and in turn, improving your employment prospects. The programme is closely informed by expertise in the business community, from national and international NGOs, and in the world-leading climate modelling and prediction capability of the UK Met Office’s Hadley Centre in Exeter.

As a student you will develop skills in a range of technologies used by experts in the field such as spatial analysis (including remote sensing) for use as predictive and management tools. You will have access to the Department’s own Beowulf computer cluster enabling first-hand access to some of these techniques.

This Masters programme will build on your capabilities, allowing you to develop the most up-to-date skills and knowledge required for a career in climate change research or policy development. It provides an excellent basis for careers in climate change, for example in academia or at the Met Office, or in policy development for organisations like Defra.

The programme is based at the University’s Cornwall Campus near Falmouth.

Who is the programme designed for?

This programme takes a broad approach to the science of climate change and risk management, but detailed scientific or geographical knowledge is not essential as a prerequisite. The programme is suitable for anyone with an interest in climate change and risk management from a wide range of degree backgrounds, including the humanities and social sciences. The core modules will inform you of the scientific background whilst the optional modules in scientific and applied topics enable you to tailor the programme to your own interests.

Useful Links

• Download a course factfile 2010 (.pdf)
• Visit our Postgraduate Study Website

^