Glaciology, MSc by Research

Top 100 in the World (Shanghai Ranking Subject Rankings 2024)

Greenland landscape

Course Overview

Start date: MSc by Research - 1st October, 1st January, 1st April & 1st July.

The MSc by Research in Glaciology allows you to undertake a year-long individual programme of personally and professionally enriching research. Your glaciology research project will be shaped by participation in activities such as seminars, workshops, laboratory activity and fieldwork, as well as your involvement in Swansea Glaciology Group [https://www.swansea.ac.uk/geography/research-and-impact/swansea-glaciology-group/]. You will contribute to our research and learn methods such as computer simulation, satellite remote sensing, or geophysical and geological field methods. Swansea glaciologists work in the Arctic, Antarctic, and most glaciated regions to advance understanding of: 

  • Ice dynamic processes such as iceberg calving and basal processes in relation to ice streams, outlet glaciers and glacier surging;
  • Interactions between ice sheets, solid earth, oceans and atmosphere;
  • Reconstruction of past and prediction of future glacier, permafrost, and snow behaviour and processes;
  • Past and future cryospheric contribution to sea-level rise

Come and join our active and friendly research group at the University by the beach! 

  • Top 100 in the World (Shanghai Ranking Subject Rankings 2024)
  • 90% of our research outputs have been recognised as world leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • 100% of the environment was rated as world leading and internationally excellent - Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • Top 201-250 in the World (QS World University Rankings 2025)