Understand the climate system and the associated risks of climate change for ecosystems and society and work on the transformation towards a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient society.

Climate change is one of the most important and current social challenges with potentially dramatic consequences for future generations. The need for change towards an emission-free and climate-resilient society is becoming increasingly clear. Solving the associated problems requires both an understanding of the climate system and knowledge of economic and social relationships, processes and dynamics. Interdisciplinary cooperation between the disciplines involved is essential. This is precisely where our MSc program Climate Change and Transformation Science comes in: Students can specialize in either the physical climate sciences or the social sciences, but also learn the fundamentals of the other discipline. In interdisciplinary modules and practical projects, students work together and learn from each other, just like in real life. Graduates are well equipped for a career both in science and in implementing solutions to the climate crisis.

The program is taught entirely in English by leading international experts in their field. It is mainly run by the Wegener Center, but also offers links to other institutes, faculties and institutions.

What makes the programme special?

There are many interdisciplinary programmes on climate change offered at major universities. Our curriculum is exceptional in one important respect.

After graduation, you will likely be studying either the natural science of climate change or the social and economic science of societal impacts, mitigation, adaptation or transformation. Many degree programs cover all of these aspects broadly, but you may not learn about any of the disciplines in depth. More specialized programs teach the disciplines broadly, but may not expose students to the transdisciplinary context in which climate change science operates. Our program equips you for the field by taking an alternative approach: You will specialize in either the natural or social sciences, while also learning the core concepts, current knowledge and current research questions of the other field. In interdisciplinary modules, you will work together with other students on real-life problems. Just like in the real world that awaits you after university, physical climate scientists work with social scientists, and scientists work with stakeholders from outside academia.

By the end of the program, you’ll have both in-depth disciplinary knowledge and the transdisciplinary understanding you need to navigate the complex reality of our changing world.

Entry requirements

To enrol, you need a BSc or MSc degree in a related field. You will be directly admitted with a BSc in three programmes offered at the University of Graz, namely Environmental Systems Science (ESS) Natural Sciences and Technology (curriculum), ESS Economics (curriculum) and ESS Geography (curriculum). If you have completed a different BSc or MSc degree, it needs to be similar enough to one of these, such that we can recognise at least 60 ECTS points from your previous studies. Please check the modules in the most relevant of the three curricula (German only, google will help translating). If crucial expertise is missing, you will have to take some additional courses during the first year of the programme. You will typically be admitted with a background in environmental sciences, meteorology, oceanography, physics, economics or geography. Additionally, you need to provide proof of sufficient English language skills. For details, please check the curriculum.

Your career options

Thanks to your in-depth knowledge in the fields of climate and transformation sciences, your repertoire of systems science and theoretical methods, and your ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, as a graduate of the programme you are perfectly qualified to contribute to the solution of these problems across a wide range of professional contexts.

Graduates of the programme typically find employment in academic, private, public and semi-public sectors:

• teaching and research at university level, in particular pursuing a PhD,
• development of climate services in the public sector at municipality, state, national and international level, in international organisations, NGOs and in the private sector,
• development of strategies and measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation, and for coping with loss and damage due to climate change and its impacts,
• development and implementation of sustainability-related strategies and measures in the public sector,
• development and implementation of strategies in the public and private sector on the path towards a greenhouse gas emission free economy and society,
• environmental consulting and supervision of environmental protection facilities.