Skip to main content

Climate Futures and Solutions

MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip

Book open days Get prospectus Contact us

Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

MSc, PG Dip

  • One year full-time, on campus
  • One year full-time, online
  • One year full-time, flexible learning
  • Two years part-time, on campus
  • Two years part-time, online
  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

PG Cert

  • One year part-time, on campus
  • One year part-time, online
  • One year part-time, flexible learning
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

Our postgraduate climate futures and solutions course allows you to gain a greater understanding of how our changing climate is shaping the world in which we live. You will develop your knowledge of the risks associated with climate change and how we can mitigate against and adapt to the potential consequences faced by the natural world and society.

  • Why choose this course?
    • Compulsory modules are designed to develop your understanding of theoretically informed, practical solutions that are required to meet broad energy and adaptation challenges.
    • This course places a strong emphasis on skills development throughout. You will develop essential techniques in communicating complex information in ways that enable and enhance audience understanding and engagement. You will also learn to identify, evaluate and critically analyse key data and literature.
    • Guest lectures and in-session simulations offer an opportunity to gain real-world insight into some of the most pressing climate futures challenges.
    • You can tailor this course to your career aspirations and interests through option modules in the broad areas of environmental policy, sustainability, environmental science, and geographic and spatial data.
    • We have designed this course to be accessible to students from diverse professional and academic backgrounds who wish to understand future climate risks and develop effective responses.

  • What will I learn?

    Our changing climate impacts every facet of the world in which we live, from economic to geopolitical and societal to technological at local, regional and global scales. Whether you choose to study this climate futures and solutions course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, you will develop a critical understanding of projected climate scenarios. You will also explore the natural and social elements of climate change in the context of mitigation through global emissions reduction and energy provision, and how society can adapt and become more resilient to climate change.

    You will gain an important insight into the modern energy scene and the challenges associated with future energy provision. You will also engage in critical analyses to explore the effects of climate variability and extreme weather across all scales, considering the impact of climate change on society.

  • How will I learn?

    Our climate futures and solutions postgraduate course is available to study full- or part-time with classes taking place in the evening, so you can fit your study in around work and other commitments.

    You will have access to high-quality, online resources including pre-sessional readings, videos, podcasts and activities to engage with at your own pace. During the weekly seminars, you will explore key debates and ideas from a range of viewpoints through discussions with your peers to experience different and diverse perspectives.

    The MSc Climate Futures and Solutions gives you the chance to pursue your passion for this subject, undertaking a research project of your choice which involves an in-depth study of real challenges arising from climate change. The Certificate and Diploma offer you postgraduate-level study without undertaking the dissertation, so are ideal if you wish to explore this subject before committing to the full MSc.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Usually two to three evenings a week, October to July

    Part-time: Usually one to two evenings a week, October to July

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • The Master’s dissertation provides an excellent opportunity for you to focus on addressing a research question of your choice. Previous student dissertations have focused on quantifying UK tidal energy, the potential impact of climate change on groundwater, nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in Pakistan, and floating solar photovoltaic potential.
  • For students completing the Master’s, we offer a research methods module designed to equip you with skills in literature review and analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods, ethics and writing critically for research.
  • Our academic staff are experts in their respective fields, publishing and teaching in a wide range of topics including climate modelling, renewable energy, flooding and coastal adaptation.
  • All Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate students on this course benefit from access to events organised by the Birkbeck Research Centre for Environment and Sustainability and as part of the annual Birkbeck Climate Festival.
  • Our location in central London offers excellent access to a wide range of research resources, including Birkbeck Library, LSE Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE), the Royal Geographical Society and Senate House Library (University of London).
  • We have contacts with many public and private sector organisations, professional bodies and researchers at other academic institutions, which can lead to important networking opportunities.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

Visit the school

Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Fit a master's around your schedule
Choose Birkbeck today

Fees

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MSc: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

To be confirmed

PG Cert: One year part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £4,000 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £4,000 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £6,000 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £2,000 per year
Full-time home students: £8,000 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £10,425 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £3,475 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £6,000 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £2,000 per year
Full-time home students: £8,000 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £10,425 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £3,475 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students, Year 1: £6,000 per year
Part-time home students, Year 2: £2,000 per year
Full-time home students: £8,000 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1: £10,425 per year
Part-time international students, Year 2: £3,475 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this climate futures and solutions postgraduate course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • critical analysis of data and literature
  • synthesis and communication of complex information
  • quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis techniques.

Studying this course will prepare you for a career path focusing on climate futures, sustainability or climate change in a range of fields and professions including:

  • industries that focus on climate change and innovating for climate change
  • roles that focus on developing and implementing climate policies at a local, national and international level
  • research-based roles, including in academia
  • consultancy and analyst positions in sustainability, decarbonisation and climate solutions
  • climate technologies investments.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

Related courses

Study routes for Climate Futures and Solutions (MSc, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time