Why study a degree in climate change

Student looking out across city at a sunset

If you want to study a subject which directly impacts the future of our planet and its population, look no further than a degree in climate change. There has never been a time in human history where climate change has been more widely discussed, making it the perfect time to begin your studies and join the conversation. With a degree in climate change studies, you can be sure you’re making a difference.

What is climate change?

Climate change is the changing of weather and temperature around the world and its effect on human, animal and plant life. This could be anything from extreme heat to extreme draught, as well as intense and unprecedented weather events.

Climate change is caused by rising temperatures across the globe, which in turn is caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Even small temperature increases, as little as 1ºC, are negatively affecting life on Earth.

World leaders are beginning to pay more attention to climate change. Governments across the globe are putting more rules and regulations in place to help combat the negative effects of climate change – with the goal of protecting the planet and its people. By studying a degree in climate change, you can help protect the planet.

Reasons to study climate change

Help change the world

The first and most important reason to study climate change is to make a positive difference to the planet and its people. If you want to be part of the solution to tackling these issues, then studying climate change can help you develop the knowledge you need to help.

A range of career opportunities

No matter your strengths or career ambitions, climate change studies can be applied to a range of different industries and sectors. Perhaps you’re passionate about helping businesses be more climate friendly, or maybe you’re more scientifically minded and want to develop practical solutions to help combat climate change. You could work in a charity, campaigning for what you believe in, or even get a law qualification in order to defend the planet.

A degree in climate change means you could access careers such as climate environmental management, environmental consultancy, engineering and surveying, civil service roles, and geographical information systems.

Gain practical skills

Studying climate change is both theoretical and practical. When you choose to study this degree, you will spend time both in the classroom and out doing fieldwork – applying what you learn in real life scenarios. A degree in climate change involves more than sitting in a lecture hall or researching in the library, making it a good opportunity to get out there and see the world.

Interdisciplinary knowledge

One of the best parts about studying climate change at university is how transferable the skills you learn are. Aside from specific knowledge about climate change studies, you will develop important transferable skills in areas such as:

  • Problem solving: how will we solve climate change? By developing your approach to solving problems related to climate change, you can apply it to other areas in your career.
  • Communication: through lectures, seminars and practical work, you will be working and communicating with a wide variety of people – just like you will be in your future career.
  • Researching: all university degrees require a great deal of research, making it a highly transferable skills – but by researching a topic you’re genuinely interested in, the whole experience is even more rewarding.
  • Critical thinking: with so many approaches to tackling climate change, the work you do in a climate change degree is sure to develop your critical thinking skills.

Learn from experts

By studying climate change at university, you will get to learn, debate and be inspired by experts in their field. By doing the recommending reading, receiving feedback on a project, or listening to someone talk about a subject they’re passionate about, you will be surrounded by likeminded people who are just as dedicated to abolishing climate change as you are.

Studying climate change in the UK

Studying climate change at a university in the UK is a great choice for ambitious students everywhere. Not only will you be learning more about climate change but you will also develop your English language skills to access more employment opportunities across the world. Liverpool John Moores University offer a BSc (Hons) Climate Change degree, allowing you to develop the practical and theoretical subject knowledge to work in climate change. With the skills you develop through these lectures, projects and internship opportunities, you will be graduating with the knowledge and skills to help change the world.

If you’re hoping to study this degree as an international student, you can begin your climate change degree journey at Liverpool John Moores University International Study Centre. By choosing either the two-semester International Foundation Year in Engineering, Computing and Life Sciences (or the extended, three-semester version of the same programme), you can develop the academic subject knowledge and English language skills required for you to get the most out of your degree. The additional confidence you’ll gain by starting your studies at the International Study Centre will help you to make a difference.

Visit the fees page to find out more about the costs associated with starting your academic journey at the International Study Centre.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with a climate change degree?  

A climate change degree is perfect for anyone interested in the environment and changing the world for the better. Depending on what your other interests are, you could use your climate change degree in everything from business, law, science, education, or activism. 

Are climate scientists in demand? 

As more and more world leaders and business start to think about the effects of climate change on our planet, the demand for qualified climate scientists increases. By gaining a degree qualification in climate change, you can begin developing the skills that employers look for in this industry. 

Which climate change jobs will be in high demand in the future? 

As conversations about climate change become more prevalent in society, more jobs related to climate change will be available. Whether you work as a scientist, environmental management professional, environmental lawyer, business advisor or consultant, engineer or surveyor, researcher or educator, or even a broadcaster, people with a strong understanding of climate change and the environment will be sought out by employers.