Master's in Climate Sciences

The  Master of Climate Sciences curriculum consists of 120 ECTS. Of these, a number of 8 ECTS are compulsory courses, 52 ECTS are elective courses to be taken at the University of Bern or at the ETH Zurich, and 60 ECTS are reserved for the master thesis. The program equals the workload of 4 semesters (2 years) full-time study.

Alternatively, you may wish to write a master thesis of 30 ECTS at the University of Bern and  complete an external internship of 30 ECTS (see specific guidelines on the Graduate School Climate Sciences website).

Individual academic requirements

Admission to the master’s degree program may depend upon evidence of additional knowledge and expertise that was not acquired as part of the student's bachelor's degree program. This coursework may only be completed on an extra-curricular basis. The maximum scope of this additional coursework is 60 ECTS credits. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

As a rule, an average grade (average weighted according to ECTS credits) of at least “good” serves as an additional indicator of suitability. The grades that shall be taken into consideration are those that are available at the time of the interview and submitted with the record of individual achievement. In general, these are grades for at least 150 ECTS credits.

Definitive admission is dependent on an admission interview with the directorate of studies.

The degree used for assessment purposes may not be more than ten years old.   

Language requirements

Courses at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences are given in English or, depending on the audience, in German. Advanced skills in English (oral, written and reading) corresponding to CEF level C1 are required. Students with CEF level B2 are admitted to the program with the obligation to reach CEF level C1 within the first year. This can be achieved by taking classes offered by the Academic English Services, for instance. The master thesis is usually written in English. Training in scientific writing and scientific presentations in English are part of the compulsory courses, and you will do a placement test at the beginning of the training.

If existing, you may provide an English language certificate with the admission documents or at the admission interview, but no English language certificate is required at this stage. Non-native German speakers do not have to pass any German exam for admission to the M Sc program.

For the everyday life in Bern, basic knowledge of German is helpful and taking German classes during your stay here in Bern is strongly recommended.

Application and admission

You may apply for the MSc program as soon as you have completed 150 ECTS credits (5 semesters). Your bachelor training must be completed before the first semester of the MSc program starts. Successful admission is conditional on a positive evaluation of your application dossier and a personal (or video) interview. Depending on your scientific background additional course requirements (up to a maximum of 60 ECTS credits) can be imposed. More information about all general steps for acceptance can be found on the Graduate School of Climate Sciences website.

To be admitted to the MSc Climate Science program, you need to register with the University of Bern, and you need to submit an application dossier. The specific procedures are described below for students with a  bachelor degree from the University of Bern, from a Swiss or from an international University, respectively.

For all questions and advice regarding admission, please contact the studies coordinator of the Graduate School of Climate Sciences:
Peter Stucki, phone +41 31 684 31 46, peter.stucki@unibe.ch

Applications by current UniBE students

You are currently a BSc / BA student of the University of Bern, wishing to change from bachelor studies to the MSc in Climate Sciences program. Your application encompasses the following steps:

• Use the online renewal of semester registration. Refer also to the information about procedure and time of the semester registration.
• Prepare and send your application dossier according to this form: Documents to be submitted by e-mail.

Applications with a Swiss degree

You hold or will soon hold a BSc / BA degree from a Swiss University, and wish to apply for the MSc in Climate Sciences program. Your application encompasses the following steps:

• Use the online registration and application.
• Prepare and send your application dossier according to this form: Documents to be submitted by e-mail.
• Refer to the procedure for Swiss BSc students: From application to registration.

Applications with an international degree

You hold or will soon hold a diploma / bachelor degree from an international University, and wish to apply for the MSc in Climate Sciences program. Your application encompasses the following steps:

• Use the online registration and application.
• Prepare and send your application dossier according to this form: Application guidelines and checklist of documents to be submitted. Remember to use the checklist as cover sheet and send hard copies by letter post.
• Refer to the procedure for international students: From application to registration.

Application schedule

The Master in the Climate Sciences program is designed to train specialists for economic, research and administrative tasks related to climate and climate change. The tailor-made curriculum gives you the required scientific knowledge and personal skill to take leadership in these areas.

Career opportunities and potential employers can be found in the finance, insurance and energy sectors. You are qualified for positions in consulting firms, planning offices or public administration.

The Master of Science in Climate Sciences degree also creates opportunities in research and academia. For instance, it may be conducive to a PhD project in Climate Sciences in one of the research units associated with the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research.