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    MSc(Res)
    2025 start September 

    Polar and Alpine Change

    School of Geography and Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences

    Prepare for a research career in cold-regions science with our MSc(Res). You’ll develop key analytical skills and research techniques, conduct a year-long independent research project, and have the opportunity to become an active member of the department's Ice and Climate research group.
    MSc(Res) Polar and Alpine Change students conducting fieldwork on a glacier

    Course description

    This unique course prepares you for a research career in cold-regions science, notably within the disciplines of glaciology, glacial geomorphology, polar climatology/oceanography, environmental science, polar biogeochemical processes, or their intersections. We train graduates from a range of scientific disciplines.

    The course operates at the cutting edge of climate science and cryospheric science, as its key focus is to explore the expressions, mechanisms and impacts of rapid ongoing changes in our planet’s cold regions.

    Field class

    The field class is an integral part of the course, which is usually in the summer towards the end of the academic year. The costs for this field class are not included in the tuition fee. You'll gain an in-depth knowledge of the location you visit. You'll also develop skills in relevant research approaches and techniques.

    The field class combines taught sessions with group research. Group work undertaken by students in previous years includes: meteorology, glacier hydrology, glacial geomorphology and glacier reconstruction using geomorphological evidence and relative dating techniques. The most recent field class location has been Western Greenland and, in years previous to that, Svalbard.

    The cost during our recent trip to Western Greenland in August 2024 was about £2,800 per student.

    While we hope to return to Western Greenland, the destination for your field class may change from year to year in response to our course content, new scientific opportunities, feedback from past students or wider global events. This could mean it's delivered online, or delivered online while using a UK destination for some learning activities. We will contact students in advance of any changes to our field classes.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    You'll complete 180 compulsory credits of study, comprising four modules taken over one year full-time.

    You'll carry out a year-long research project where you'll undertake original and independent research in your chosen field. While you develop and execute your project, we'll give you close supervision. You'll be a member of the department's vibrant research community – our Ice and Climate Research group – and you'll have the opportunity to present your findings to the group.

    During the first semester, modules will help you develop your research ideas and produce a formal project proposal. You'll also have the chance to explore research approaches and develop your analytical and research communication skills.

    Core modules:

    Research Design in Analysis of Environmental Systems

    The module will (a) provide an understanding of the sources of research problems and how specific student research topics fit into broader agendas. It will; (b) provide an understanding of 'scientific method' and its different components (including the roles of fieldwork, laboratory experiments and modelling). It will; (c) provide an introduction to planning a research project, (including literature search, data analysis, written and graphical presentation); with a view to (d) to preparing students for writing a research proposal.

    15 credits
    Current Issues in Polar and Alpine Science

    This module provides students with knowledge, insight and awareness into specific current issues in Polar and Alpine Science. This is achieved through the medium of attendance at research presentations by experts in appropriate fields and discussion of cutting-edge research topics and papers

    15 credits
    Polar and Alpine Change Field Course

    This module provides experience of academic, logistic and practical skills required to undertake a programme of field research. The course will be based in an arctic or alpine environment and conducted as an expedition. Key transferable skills for field research will be developed including research and experimental design; field monitoring using a range of sensors and instruments; field observation of sediments, ice flow, landforms, hydrology and climate. Such skill development will be achieved via safety training, a series of guided field days and a group research project.

    15 credits
    Polar and Alpine Change Research Project

    This module aims to enable students to develop their research, methodological and writing skills in a topic within the scope of cold-regions geo-/climatological science. It requires them to independently design and conduct a theoretically-informed empirical research project. This project will involve bibliographic searches, appraisal of the current state of the research field of the topic, use of qualitative and/or quantitative and/or field research techniques, derivation and analyses and interpretation of data, presentations of the proposed research and of project findings, and write-up of results in a report in the style resembling that of a journal paper.

    135 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    Modules are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and independent study.

    Assessment

    The Research Project is assessed by submission of a major project report near the end of the summer (at the end of the academic year). In the Autumn Semester, a written proposal leading towards this research is assessed; also, an assessed oral presentation and assessed essays test the level of scientific understanding and analytical skills.

    Your career

    This course provides an exceptional level of research training and experience. These kinds of skills are why our graduates are successful in both further study at PhD level or a research-centred career.

    Our graduates have gone on to secure competitive PhD positions at research-intensive UK institutions that specialise in cold-regions research, as well as institutions further afield, including Norway and Sweden. Other graduates have gone on to become environmental professionals.

    Most applicants are interested in a research career. After your masters you might pursue further study at PhD and then an academic position where you can go on to push the frontiers of knowledge. We'll help you prepare for a research career while you study with us. For example, we provide guidance on applying for a PhD and you'll receive support from a tutor as well as guidance from the department's Ice and Climate Research group.

    School

    School of Geography and Planning

    Geography and Planning building
    Geography and Planning building

    The School of Geography and Planning at the University of Sheffield is a world leader in teaching and research. We're ranked in the top 10 in the UK for geography by the Guardian University Guide 2024.

    We are experts in the fields of social justice and environmental change. We explore our dynamic, diverse world to address humanity’s greatest problems, from food waste to melting ice sheets and sustainable international development. Our innovative research and practice-based learning will equip you with distinct, relevant professional skills.

    Our high staff-to-student ratio ensures that you receive excellent quality teaching and a high level of pastoral support throughout your studies.

    Jodie Geldard PAC Alumni

    It's incredible to have access to so many leading researchers in the field

    Jodie Geldard MSc Polar and Alpine Change alumni

    PAC alumni Jodie Gelard discusses her time as a student at Sheffield and her career since graduating.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

    Subject requirements

    We accept degrees in the following subject areas: 

    • Environmental/Earth/Ocean Sciences
    • Geology
    • Physical Geography
    • Physics
    • Natural science

    We may also consider other related subjects

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 7 (with 6.5 in each component) or University equivalent

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    The cost of the field class will depend on the destination and be subject to price inflation and fluctuations.

    The cost during our recent trip to Western Greenland in August 2024 was about £2,800 per student.

    You can also apply for one of our masters scholarships, for example to support your fieldwork, or if you are from a developing country.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Contact

    geography@sheffield.ac.uk
    +44 114 222 7900

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.