Graduate School of Climate Sciences

Our MSc and PhD programs emphasize research excellence and collaboration in a field of pressing concern. They prepare students for careers in science, policy, industry and administration.
The MSc Climate Sciences program offers a tailor-made curriculum combining 60 ECTS of coursework, a master thesis, and an optional internship. Students can specialize in one of six areas while benefiting from interdisciplinary learning in an international environment.
The PhD Climate Sciences program focuses on climate-related research over four years at one of the affiliated institutes. It includes 12 ECTS of individual coursework, with opportunities to engage in international conferences, seminars, and summer schools.

SPOTLIGHTS

Studying Climate Sciences in Bern

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Frequently Asked Questions

Factsheet MSc Climate Sc.

to the Faculty of Science website

A Climate Scientist with a Broad Perspective

Carole graduated as the top student of her year at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences and was awarded the 2024 Oeschger Young Scientist's Prize. Then she found a position with a globally active consulting firm.

A Successful Shift in Perspective

Anton Braun was the second-best student in his year at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences and was awarded a "2024 Oeschger Young Scientist's Prize". He moved on to work for climate protection at the Office for Environment and Energy of the Canton of Bern.

Course guide, Specializations

Six reasons for Bern

Why study Climate Sciences in Bern?

Featured Thesis Figure

Urban Heat Island Effect on Mortality in the City of Bern

Master thesis Adrienne Wehrli, 2024

Upcoming Msc and PhD Exams

Enthusiasm and success the second time around

30 January 2023

Costanza Fileccia graduated second best in her class at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences and was awarded a "2022 Oeschger Young Scientist's Prize". Now she’s conducting research on the effects of climate change on crops.

The temporary climate scientist

15 February 2022

Luc Hächler graduated second best in his class among the students of the Graduate School of Climate Sciences and was awarded a “2021 Oeschger Young Scientist’s Prize”. He sees his professional future as a geoinformation analyst.

The winding road to success

15 February 2022

Chantal won a “2021 Oeschger Young Scientist’s Prize” for graduating at the top of her class. Now, as a PhD student, she does research on climate change and biodiversity.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Stocker on the Graduate School of Climate Sciences

On the trail of urban heat islands

4 February 2021

Moritz Burger graduated second best in his class at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences and has been awarded a 2020 Oeschger Young Scientist's Prize for this achievement. Now, as he writes his doctoral thesis, he remains true to his master’s thesis topic: Bern’s urban climate.

A top educated climate activist

3 February 2021

Cornall Heusaff finished at the top of his class at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences, winning a 2020 Oeschger Young Scientist’s Prize for his achievements. Now he provides expert analysis of electricity market issues in Ireland.

From classical music to the economic consequences of forest fires

3 February 2021

Ranking second in her class at the Graduate School of Climate Sciences, Sarah Meier has been awarded a 2020 Oeschger Young Scientist’s Prize for her achievements. For her master’s degree she majored in economics.

A swift career start

For her climate master’s, Regina Daus specialized in atmospheric sciences. Today she’s a professional when it comes to simulating wind fields.

Low unemployment rates

A review of data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey by USA Today journalists identified the college majors with the lowest unemployment rates. Check out the top three ranked disciplines - there all disciplines our master in Climate Sciences combines.

The Climate Farmers

Former Master students of Climate Sciences have co-founded TaPatate!, a project of sustainable agriculture. Danielle Huser, Noemi Imfeld, and Armin Komposch grow organic vegetables and sell them to active stakeholders. Read more (PDF, 5 MB, in German)

MSc Climate Sciences student going strong

Congratulations to Pablo Carballo, MSc Climate Sciences (just above the mascot), and his team SC Kreuzlingen for securing the Swiss Waterpolo Cup as well as the Swiss Waterpolo Chamionship.

Graduates with a Master of Science successful on job market

Graduates with a Master of Science, University of Bern (including MSc Climate Sciences) are very successful on the Swiss job market. According to the Federal Statistical Office, less than 6% of the MSc Graduates U Bern remain unemployed one year after the Graduation. More than 90 % of the employments are adequate to the level of a Master education. The median annual salary amounts to 72,000 CHF (72,000 $US) for a full time employment.
Sources: Federal Statistical Office and Swiss Education Report 2018
www.bildungsbericht.ch

Excellent master students

Anna Kulakovskaya and Thomas Rölli were the top climate master students last year. They have been awarded the 2018 Oeschger Young Scientist’s Prize. In an interview, they talked about their reasons for doing a master’s degree in climate sciences. “What mattered most to me was the multidisciplinary approach”, Thomas Rölli said. Anna Kulakovskaya was particularly impressed by the attitude of the professors towards their students: “I really felt I was taken seriously.”

MSc Climate Sciences student flying high

Congratulations to Thomas Lanz, MSc Climate Sciences, and his team Wacker Thun for securing the Swiss Handball Championship in a dramatic game four of the playoff finals.

Student Council spoils first-year students with Apéro Riche

The Climate Sciences Student Council offered an apéro riche for the first-year Climate Sc. students after the second day of the introductory workshop. The occasion was seized by many to network and and ask questions that arise at the start of the master studies. Rumors have it that there were so many climate-related topics to discuss that the Co-President needed to get more drinks...

Delegation of MSc students at StuMeTa

For the first time, a delegation of master students from the OCCR Graduate School of Climate Sciences attended the StuMeTa (Studentische Meteorologen-Tagung) held in Karlsruhe this year. Social aspects did not go amiss besides informative lectures on topics such as hail and climate change, career opportunities at the German Weather Sercive and interactive workshops on climate politics or tropical meteorology.

Climate Career Evening 2017

ClimateAlumni from a wide range of academic, public and private sectors shared their experiences in the professional life with current students of the Graduate School. Discussions turned around job applications, sunny and dark sides, networking, offers for internships, career horizons and ways to contribute to society as climate experts in general - simply inspiring.

Two PhDs Climate Sciences win Poster Awards at SGCD

Leonie Bernet and Regula Mülchi have been awarded for the best posters at the 18th Swiss Global Change Day in the category Atmosphere / Hydrosphere. They were honored with conference travel grants of 1000 CHF each. Have a look at the posters (PDF from proclim website):
Regula Mülchi: Human Influence on the Runoff Regime and Runoff Extremes of the River Thur?
Leonie Bernet: Cloud Effect on Temperature Profiles from Microwave Radiometry

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Contact

University of Bern
Graduate School of Climate Sciences

Hochschulstrasse 4
Oeschger Centre for Climate Research
3012 Bern