What you can expect in our master's program

In the master's degree program Meteorology and Climate Physics at KIT, you will benefit from research-oriented teaching, which is fed by close contact with research in the university and large-scale research areas. Your curriculum covers the full spectrum of meteorology and climate physics, from small-scale processes in clouds to climate change. Modelling, i.e. the use of numerical weather prediction models and data analysis with Python, as well as experimental meteorology are components of the study program. The standard period of study is 4 semesters, during which you earn 120 ECTS credits.

You will take the two compulsory subjects "Atmospheric and Climate Processes" and "Applied and Experimental Meteorology". An essential part of the master's degree program is the specialization phase. This is where you prepare to write your master's thesis and deepen your methodological knowledge. Compulsory elective modules from other areas of physics, but also from computer science, geosciences or mathematics and interdisciplinary qualifications such as language courses or courses offered by the House of Competence complete your curriculum.

Program structure

Internship

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

Make your studies international

You have various options for integrating a stay abroad into your master's degree course. For example, you can study at a foreign university of your choice for one or two semesters via Erasmus+ or as a freemover. You can also do an internship abroad. In addition, selective mobility is possible via Eucor - The European Campus: KIT students can flexibly attend individual courses in addition to courses at KIT or study full-time for an entire semester or year at an Eucor partner university.

Further information can be obtained from the contact persons responsible for stays abroad at the KIT Department or at the International Students Office.

Master's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and the preparation of a written thesis. The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have completed the Scientific Work module examination of the specialization phase and have earned 70 credit points. Upon request, the master's thesis can also be completed in a company or at another KIT Department.

With a master's degree in Meteorology and Climate Physics, a wide range of career opportunities present itself for you. These include:

• research and doctoral studies with a focus on an academic career or
  
• employment in one of the following fields:
  • public weather services such as the German Weather Service (DWD) or private weather companies
    
  • the insurance sector, assessing risks due to weather hazards
    
  • the energy sector, providing reliable forecasts and predicting critical situations
    
  • climate services which provide information resources and platforms for decision-makers to adapt and prepare for climate change
    

Characteristic features of Meteorology and Climate Physics M.Sc. at KIT

• comprehensive training in Meteorology and Climate Physics
  

• studies at one of the largest and most renowned institutions for atmospheric research in Germany

• small, well supervised study groups
  

• high practical component through exercises and project work

• research-oriented teaching with high potential for active participation in research projects

• for prospective doctoral students: Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS)

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a passed bachelor's degree or at least an equivalent degree in a degree program with essentially the same content at a university, university of applied sciences or vocational academy or at a foreign university, whereby the course must have been completed with a minimum of 180 credit points according to ECTS, alternatively with a standard period of study of at least three years in the subject of Meteorology or a related subject area (e.g. Physics, Mathematics, Geosciences).
  
• minimum achievement and minimum knowledge in the following areas:
  • Meteorology and Climate Physics amounting to at least 24 credit points
    
  • Physics amounting to at least 24 credit points
  • Mathematics amounting to at least 12 credit points
  If you are missing up to 30 credit points, you may be admitted on condition that you make up the missing credits by the end of the 2nd semester at the latest. Any condition will be set by the admissions commission and you will be informed of this when you are admitted.
  
• Proof of entitlement to an examination
  Proof that you have not definitively failed an examination required by the examination regulations in the master's degree program in Meteorology or a related degree program with essentially the same content and that you are still entitled to take the examination
  

Language requirements and certificates

For the master's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics, you need a very good knowledge of English. Your English language skills must be at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient knowledge of English

The following is sufficient proof of your English language skills

• your university entrance qualification, if it shows that you have taken English for at least five years up to graduation and your final or average grade of the last two years of English lessons corresponds to at least the German grade 4 (sufficient) or at least 5 grade points

Otherwise, the following English tests are accepted as proof of English proficiency:

• TOEFL with at least 72 points, including at least the following scores in the individual sub-areas: reading (18), listening (17), speaking (20), writing (17)
• IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.0, no section below 5.0
• TOEIC with at least 400 points in Listening, 385 in Reading
• Cambridge Certificate C1 Advanced (CAE)
• Cambridge Certificate C2 Proficiency (CPE)
• Cambridge Certificate B2 First (FCE)
• UNIcert, at least level II

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

In individual cases, other proof may be accepted at the applicant's request. Alternative proofs are in particular

• a degree certificate from an English-language degree program
• a university entrance qualification from institutions with English as the language of instruction
• a bachelor's thesis written in English
  
• completion of the bachelor's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics at KIT
  

The decision is made by the selection commission.

What if I cannot provide suitable B2 proof of English at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the B2 certificates listed above demonstrating your English language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate that you have already acquired English language skills.

But please don't forget: you will still have to submit the actual B2 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take one of the recognized language tests.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extension can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Students Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional contacts:

• KIT-Department of Physics
• Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research
• Academic advisor
• Examination board
• Information about exchange programs and studying abroad
• Student representatives Physics

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs