MSc Climate Change: Science, Society and Solutions

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of English Language Certification, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. Applications without an English language qualification may initially be placed on a waiting list;

• copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;

• your CV.

Our climate is changing. How we mitigate climate change and adapt to live in a changing climate are fundamental questions for society. Delivered from the unique vantage point of the world's first industrialised city, the MSc Climate Change: Science, Society and Solutions has been designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need to help respond to the challenges of human-induced climate change.

This interdisciplinary programme is led by the Department of Geography, with contributions from around the University, including the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. It will develop your understanding of the options for tackling climate change, the societal and political contexts in which they reside, and the scientific background to the problem itself.

The programme aims to empower you with an applied and critical understanding of the full range of social, political, and technical options for tackling climate change. This includes mitigation options for reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation options for protecting against climate change impacts, as well as more unconventional solar geoengineering ideas for reflecting sunlight back into space and cooling the planet. It will also enable you to develop your scientific knowledge of climate change; hone your critical, analytical, and communication skills; and to design and deliver cutting-edge research under expert guidance.

The programme is ideal for those who want to pursue a career in: local, national or international climate policy; businesses and industries focussed on climate change innovations or corporate social responsibility (CSR); non-governmental organisations (NGOs) campaigning or lobbying for action on climate change issues; or in academia with a focus on climate change research. You will have the freedom to specialise according to your interests and ambitions through drawing upon an array of elective units. This will be carefully guided through the induction process and wider programme support.

• Geography has been studied at Manchester for more than 125 years, and we're one of Europe's best-equipped universities for the subject.
• Our Geography research improves the quality of knowledge across the world, with 90% of our activity defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework 2022).
• We’re home to world-class academics in Geography and other areas of the University contributing to the programme, including the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.
• Join the Manchester University Geographical Society (MUGS)  a society run by Geography students for Geography students.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

We are one of Europe's best-equipped universities for geography, with numerous laboratories. These include the main teaching laboratory, microscopy laboratory, and sediments and project laboratories.

You can also learn professional skills such as coding and programming specialist, industry-standard software such as image processing, GIS, GPS and cartographic representation.

The University's Main Library is the largest university library system in the UK apart from the copyright libraries and has a number of different working spaces. It is home to the University Map Collection, which comprises about 100,000 map sheets of every part of the world.

We also have our very own Kantorowich Library, which contains many of the teaching and learning materials that you will need, from books and journals to DVDs and past dissertations.

For more information, please visit our Facilities webpage.

MSc Climate Change: Science, Society and Solutions responds to the rapidly growing need for interdisciplinary expertise in climate change. 

The programme is ideal for those who want to pursue a career in: local, national or international climate policy; businesses and industries focussed on climate change innovations or corporate social responsibility (CSR); non-governmental organisations (NGOs) campaigning or lobbying for action on climate change issues; or in academia with a focus on climate change research.

Geography graduates have particularly great employment prospects and go on to shape environmental policy through positions in the public and private sectors.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including consultancy, research, non-governmental organisations, project management, environmental management, agriculture and forestry, environmental sciences, energy, marketing, and finance.

Top employers include:

• DEFRA; 
• the Environment Agency; 
• Natural England; 
• the Organic Soil Association; 
• the UK Atomic Energy Authority; 
• UNEP.

Careers support

The University has its own dedicated  Careers Service  that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of  opportunities to help boost your employability. 

Careers support for international students  

The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester. 

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students  

Global networks  

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community  of any campus-based university in the UK. 

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country. It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.