Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today, and has become a major item on the political agenda. Meeting this challenge requires understanding of the science of climate change, development of policy and consideration of the impact on all spheres of human activity, from business to landscape management.

Birkbeck School of Geography's new MSc in Climate Change will provide climate change practitioners and others with an opportunity to extend their expertise, reflect on current practice and track ongoing developments in this fast-moving field.

One consequence of current interest in environmental change is an increasing concern with learning from the past - reconstructing climatic change and human impact in past environmental, ecological and human systems. The coupling of this research theme with work seeking further understanding of contemporary processes on shorter timescales, is reflected in a wide range of research initiatives within the UK, Europe and the world at large - for instance the IGBP Past Global Changes program (PAGES). The broad aims of the course team are to give you knowledge, skills and experience to a level which will enable you to undertake first-class research into the nature of recent environmental change. Therefore it serves primarily as a research training experience for appropriately qualified graduates, but also enables students from the pure science subjects to develop their interests in environmental change.

Study Quaternary Science at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll receive comprehensive postgraduate training on the time-dependent processes that affect environmental change, helping you to understand and confront some of the most profound issues of our time.

This flexible Masters programme is offered jointly with London’s prestigious Natural History Museum, and The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) recognizes this course as 'Excellent'.

You’ll acquire an advanced knowledge and understanding of key issues within Quaternary Science, including high-resolution palaeoenvironmental records, high-precision dating and multi-proxy approaches to the investigation of past environmental changes.

The Department of Geography is one of the leading centres for international geographical research in the UK. In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework our research environment was recognized as overwhelmingly world class.

The staff and facilities of the Centre for Quaternary Research (CQR) at Royal Holloway provide a wide range of opportunities, including participation in internationally significant research programmes in Quaternary science and links with potential employers. This consortium of staff constitutes the strongest teaching team in the UK for the provision of Masters' teaching in the field of non-marine Quaternary earth science and environmental change. You’ll have the chance to contribute to this leading research culture with your own individual research project.

Study a Masters degree in Quaternary Science and you’ll develop a thorough understanding of many contemporary environmental issues, including climate change, biological responses to environmental change and soil erosion. and be well placed to pursue a rewarding career in your chosen field.

• Masters programme offered jointly with London’s prestigious Natural History Museum.
• Study in a department ranked 2nd in the UK for research by the Research Excellence Framework 2014.
• Gain a thorough understanding of some of our most pressing environmental issues.
• Graduate with excellent employability prospects and a strong opportunity to progress into further postgraduate study.