Society needs experts with a multidisciplinary education in atmospheric and Earth and Climate System sciences. Our Master’s Programme is answering these needs. The programme educates all meteorologists in Finland for weather forecasting, meteorological research and aviation safety. We educate experts in physics of hydrosphere to work in the fields of cryology, hydrology and oceanography; and experts in atmospheric chemistry and aerosol physics to work on challenges related to air quality. The study track on biosphere-atmosphere cycles focuses on links between biological, chemical and physical processes that occur within the Earth system, with emphasis on forest science. The interdependencies between climate system and human activities, and the implications for sustainable development are studied in the Climate and Sustainability track.
The programme is offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki.
*previously the Master's Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (ATM-MP)
**until 1.8.2026 the study tracks are: aerosol physics, atmospheric chemistry and analysis, biosphere-atmosphere cycles, geophysics of the hydrosphere, meteorology and remote sensing
Upon graduating from the Master's Programme in Meteorology, Atmospheric and Climate-System Sciences, you will have competence in:
Graduates of the Programme have found employment in meteorological institutes and environmental administration, research institutes and universities, companies manufacturing instrumentation for atmospheric and environmental measurements and analysis, and consultancy companies in Finland and other countries. The Master's degree in ATM-MP also gives you a good background to proceed to doctoral level studies.
As a graduate of the meteorology line, you will be qualified to use the title of Meteorologist (in Finnish: Meteorologi), as defined by Finnish government decree 1039/2013.
The basic degree in the programme is the Master of Science (MSc). The scope of the degree is 120 credits (ECTS). The programme is designed to be completed in two years. As a prerequisite, you will need to have a relevant Bachelor’s degree. Studies in the programme consist of various courses and project work: lecture courses, seminars, laboratory work and intensive courses.
The Master's Programme in Meteorology, Atmospheric and Climate-System Sciences has five study tracks starting from 1.8.2026. You select your study track during the first semester of studies. They are:
Students enrolled in Aerosol Physics, Atmospheric Chemistry and Analysis and Remote Sensing study tracks can graduate from their present study tracks until 31.7.2028 or change to the new study tracks.
The language of instruction is mainly English, but you can also write you MSc thesis and other written assignments in Finnish or Swedish.
Teaching and supervision at the programme are provided by the Institute for the Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR). INAR is an interdisciplinary research and education Institute under the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry in the University of Helsinki.
Studies in ATM-MP consist of various courses and project work: lecture courses, seminars, laboratory work and intensive courses. The intensive courses typically last 5–12 days and include a concise daily programme with lectures, exercises and group work. You can check courses in the online course catalogue for students at the University of Helsinki. The University of Helsinki also offers Finnish courses for international students.
The preliminary syllabus for the next academic year will be published in the studies page in the spring and the final syllabus will be published in Sisu student information system by the end of June. Make sure that the correct programme is selected on the drop-down menu. The final syllabus will be published in Sisu. Please note, that some courses will not be lectured every academic year.
There are also several summer and winter schools as well as field courses for students in the programme. Many of the courses take place at the Hyytiälä Forestry Field Station in Southern Finland.
After 31.7.2028 Remote Sensing study track will be discontinued, Aerosol Physics and Atmospheric Chemistry and Analysis old model study tracks are merged into the new Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosol Physics study track.
The students who have started their studies in the degree programme according to the 2023-2026 curriculum, i.e. before 1.8.2026, can change to the new study tracks. They can also graduate from the old model study tracks until 31.7.2028 if they choose so.
Your Master's thesis is the culminating project for the MSc degree, which you will plan and complete independently. The extent of the Master's thesis is 30 credits (ECTS) and it aims to demonstrate your:
You will need to agree upon the topic of your thesis in consultation with a professor of the programme. The topic is usually related to research problems of one of the research groups within the Programme; commonly the group is part of the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR).
Below is a list of recent MSc theses of the degree programme. You can find them in the University of Helsinki's Helda service by searching with the name of the author.
The Master's Programme in Meteorology, Atmospheric and Climate-System Sciences is research-oriented, and the degree obtained gives you a good foundation if you are interested in proceeding to doctoral-level studies.
More information about doctoral education at the University of Helsinki.
Internationalisation
The ATM-MP offers an international study environment with more than 30% of the students and teaching staff coming from abroad.
The ATM-MP is part of a Nordic Nordplus network in Atmosphere-Biosphere Studies, which gives you good opportunities to take courses currently in fourteen Nordic and Baltic universities. There are also several Erasmus agreements with European universities. here are also several Erasmus agreements with European universities. The PanEurasian Experiment (PEEX) project provides you with opportunities to carry out part of your studies especially in China, and through the strong connection to the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East – Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre (EMME-CARE) you will be able to do an internship or part of your studies in Cyprus.
Networking
The programme works in cooperation with research institutes (such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Finnish Environment Institute) and industry (such as Vaisala, Airmodus, and Dekati). International and national cooperation with different universities is described above.
Jack H. Raisanen studies Atmospheric Sciences to advance as an environmental specialist and get expertise in specific matters such as climate change, air pollution and biogeochemical cycles. According to him, there is an excellent cluster of research at the University of Helsinki, and the study programme is one of the best in the world.
In the future, he wants to advocate sustainability and the right for public participation in decision-making. He believes that we can secure an environmentally and socially just world for all by re-prioritizing what is valued in our society.
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, more than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.
One of these organisations is Synop, which is officially a student organisation for meteorology students in the University of Helsinki but they welcome everyone from every field to join in their little community. Synop organises many different types of events and activities in addition to a great opportunity to get to know your peers and making lifelong friends! You can find Synop through their website.
As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.
Read more about student life, services and benefits when studying at the University of Helsinki.
Do you have questions about studies or student life? You can get answers to your questions by chatting directly with University of Helsinki students. Chat with our students!