Climate Change

The MSc in Climate Change at Maynooth University provides graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to analyse global and Irish climate change science, impacts, and policies. The programme develops strong technical, analytical, and critical thinking skills relevant to climate research, policy, and practice.



The course offers a well-integrated suite of taught modules such as The Ocean and Climate Change, Detection, Attribution and Decision Making, and Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation. These modules reflect the major themes of climate change and include essential technical training in modelling and analysis.



Students also gain applied experience through collaboration with industry stakeholders on proposed dissertation topics linked to real-world climate challenges. This ensures that societally relevant research topics directly meet stakeholder needs while helping students develop connections with potential employers.



Why study Climate Change at Maynooth University?



The Maynooth University MSc in Climate Change is one of the leading national and international postgraduate courses in this field.

Staff are internationally recognised experts and research leaders.

Students have access to a dedicated computer lab equipped with specialist software, including Geographical Information Systems, Statistical Downscaling, and Hydrological Modelling tools.



The course provides a well-integrated and encompassing programme of taught modules that reflect the major themes of climate change, together with essential technical training in modelling and analysis and are designed to nurture independent and critical thinking on climate change issues. The course is delivered using a variety of techniques from traditional lectures, seminars, and workshops with the emphasis firmly placed on integrating cutting edge research into the delivery of the MSc.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of a second-class honours, grade 1 (2:1) in a Geography, Planning, Physics, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, English, Geophysics or equivalent discipline.



Applicants who do not hold a primary degree but have at least 3 years of relevant experience may apply via Maynooth University's RPL process for Non-Standard Entrants. Please click here for further information.



Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. Please be advised criteria may differ for EU and Non-EU applicants.



Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

Closing Date : 14 August 2026

MHN56: 1 year full-time

MHN57: 2 years part-time

Commences September

This course is designed to equip students who wish to pursue careers in areas in environmental management for which climate change considerations are necessary or further research in aspects of climate change modelling and impact analysis.



Since its inception in 2008/09, of those graduates who we can track, the vast majority of our students have found employment in related fields. Our graduates tend to follow three career pathways: 22 percent are secondary teachers, 15 percent progress to research as PhD candidates or in research roles within academic institutes in Ireland and internationally, while 62 percent secure employment in the private sector.



Our former students hold posts with the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), ECO-UNESCO, Geological Survey, Met Éireann, Environmental Protection Agency, Flood Risk Manager, Office of Public Works, Consultants (e.g. RPS, Jacobs), Commission for Energy Regulation, Data Analytics, Development, Insurance /Re-Insurance.