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Environmental Modelling MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The demand for environmental modelling experts is growing, with a need for professionals who understand the significance, development, and application of a variety of models. The intensive technical and scientific training you will receive on this course prepares you to become part of the next generation of practitioners dedicated to analysing and understanding the natural world. It’s an ideal next step for those with a background in environmental science, or a suitable progression for graduates in science or engineering. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£33,000
£16,500
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a first or upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject (e.g. computer science, environmental science, geography, oceanography, engineering, mathematics, physics or biology) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with relevant professional experience will also be considered.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree


You will gain a well-rounded training in the role, development and application of models in environmental science. Core modules provide a critical perspective on model-based science and introduce essential computational and numerical methods. The programme is contextualised with reference to the challenges of understanding both natural and human-induced changes to a variety of environmental systems.

Who this course is for

This MSc is designed to appeal to students looking to obtain a good grasp of the model-based approach to environmental science and management. It will appeal not only to those with backgrounds in environmental sciences, but also to those with a background in other sciences or engineering who wish to develop their skills in an environmental science context.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The Environmental Modelling MSc is run by UCL Geography, which enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching. Research groups contributing to the MSc include those concerned with environmental modelling and observation, past climates, and recent environmental change and biodiversity.

The programme draws on the unrivalled strengths of UCL in environmental modelling. Our expertise encompasses state-of-the-art global climate models, regional ocean models, advanced hydrodynamic and hydrological simulations, palaeoclimate reconstruction over geological to recent historical timescales, earth observation-derived vegetation and carbon cycle modelling, and model-based assessment of climate change impacts on coastal, estuarine and freshwater systems.

"The exposure to world-class academics, the UCL Geography department’s networks, and new ways of thinking about the world provides a rich and fulfilling experience." - Anna Hutchinson, Department of Geography graduate, 2023.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

The programme has been designed to provide an ideal foundation for PhD research, or for employment with environmental monitoring and protection agencies, industry and environmental consultancies. Graduates have gone on to careers as environment professionals, management consultants, business analysts and university researchers. (Graduate Outcomes survey 2017-2022)

Employability

There is growing need for expertise in understanding and applying models to complex environmental challenges. Graduates will be well-prepared for roles in environmental consultancies, government agencies, and international organisations. This course also provides a strong foundation for PhD research, giving students the skills needed to explore advanced topics in environmental modelling, including climate dynamics, hydrological systems, and environmental impacts on ecosystems. The programme's focus on practical and technical skills ensures that graduates can engage with real-world environmental issues, making a significant impact on both policy and practice.

Networking

Students will benefit from the expertise of our world-class researchers and due to the inter-disciplinary nature of our work, you can develop your knowledge across subjects, learning from academics not only in Geography but the wider UCL community as well. The department also hosts annual careers events where alumni share their experience of post-graduation training and employment across the wide variety of opportunities available to geography graduates.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory and computer-based practical classes.

Assessment is through independent project work, practical-based and written coursework, written examinations and the dissertation.

Each 15 credit module involves 150 hours of learning, including lectures, practicals, pre-recorded lectures, independent study, peer-to-peer learning, tutorial support, and assessment and assessment preparation. This will be supplemented by voluntary in-person activities including research seminars and assessment and feedback hours.

For full-time students, this is typically around 12 hours per week contact time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, you will typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using your remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments. Additionally, you will be expected to complete a dissertation, worth up to 60 credits. You will have regular contact with your supervisor(s) who will guide and support you throughout your work.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time two years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 12 weeks, part-time one year) is offered.

Modules

You will undertake eight taught modules and the research dissertation.

Full time structure:

Term One: you will take four compulsory modules which will include lectures, computer practical work and interactive group exercises.

In addition to the three fixed modules, you will choose either GEOG0118 Climate Dynamics or GEOG0044 Mitigation and Adaptation to Environmental Change as your fourth compulsory module.

Term Two: you will take four optional courses from a list of Geography modules available that year. You may also select up to 15 credits from a list of relevant modules from other UCL Departments, depending on availability.

Term Three: the dissertation planning commences in Term Two with the research and writing conducted in Term Three and the summer with the dissertation submitted at the end of August.

Part time structure:

Year One: You will normally take two compulsory modules in term one and two optional modules in Term Two.

Year Two: You will normally take the remaining two compulsory modules in Term One and two optional modules in Term Two. In Term Three and over the summer you will complete the research dissertation.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Environmental Modelling. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Environmental Modelling. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Environmental Modelling.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

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Graduate Open Events: Social and Historical Sciences

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Join us at our Bloomsbury campus to discover where a postgraduate degree with UCL Social & Historical Sciences will take you. At this in-person event, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about our departments and our wide breadth of degree programmes. You'll have the chance to hear from academic staff and current students, and ask any questions you might have about the department, your chosen course and studying at a world-leading university.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £33,000 £16,500

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Students produce a poster for the final dissertation presentation. Additional costs: approximately £20.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Environmental Modelling
  • why you want to study Environmental Modelling at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and/or professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Geography
Geography

geog.office@ucl.ac.uk

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