Meteorology and Climate Physics
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Information last verified July 2026
Program Overview
The bachelor's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics combines a sound basic education in physics with a special focus on the physics of the atmosphere. In the first three semesters, the program is therefore almost identical to the bachelor's degree program in Physics: you will deal intensively with classical experimental and theoretical physics, modern physics and mathematics. You will also take your first courses in meteorology and climatology.
From the fourth semester onwards, you will deepen your knowledge in key areas of meteorology, including theoretical meteorology, synoptics (meteorology), numerics and statistics, circulation and composition of the atmosphere. A meteorological lab course and a seminar on weather forecasting give you the opportunity to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice.
The program prepares you optimally for a further master's degree. You will lay the foundation for a wide range of career paths beyond the well-known field of weather forecasting, for example in the preparation of environmental reports, risk assessment of natural hazards in the insurance industry, the energy industry or in numerical simulation.
During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.
Career Opportunities
With a bachelor's degree in Meteorology and Climate Physics, you will have career prospects in the well-known field of weather forecasting (at national and private weather services) as well as in the field of environmental assessments (e.g. at engineering firms that prepare studies on wind power locations or the impact of urban development on air quality) and in the insurance and energy industry, where you can, for example, assess the risk of natural and environmental disasters or make weather forecasts with regard to securing the power supply. You can also work for banks and companies that develop software or carry out numerical simulations of all kinds.
Program Curriculum
During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.
Im ersten Teil deines Studiums (Semester 1-3) durchläufst du wie in allen Studiengängen der Fakultät für Physik eine physikalisch-mathematische Grundausbildung, bestehend aus den Fächern
• Klassische Experimentalphysik mit den Modulen Mechanik, Elektrodynamik, Optik & Thermodynamik sowie dem Praktikum Klassische Physik 1,
• Theoretische und Moderne Physik mit einem Einführungsmodul sowie den Modulen Mechanik und Moderne Physik für Meteorologen und
• Mathematik und Informatik mit Höhere Mathematik I-III sowie Programmieren.
Ergänzend dazu belegst du im ersten Studienjahr das Fach
• Grundlagen der Meteorologie und Klimaphysik, im Rahmen dessen du zum Abschluss des 2. Semesters die Modulprüfung Einführung in die Meteorologie und Klimaphysik absolvierst.
Ab dem dritten Semester erweitert sich dein Studienplan um die Fächer Theoretische und Angewandte Meteorologie und es erfolgt eine sukzessive Vertiefung deiner meteorologischen und klimatologischen Grundlagenkenntnisse.
So absolvierst du neben einem Einführungs- und einem Fortgeschrittenenmodul in Theoretischer Meteorologie (Semester 3-5) im Bereich der Angewandten Meteorologie (Semester 3-6) eine Vielzahl von Vorlesungen, Übungen und auch ein weiteres Praktikum, z.B. zu Themen wie Meteorologisches Messen, Numerik & Statistik und Synoptik (Wetterkunde).
Im sechsten Semester sieht dein Studienplan mit dem Modul Zirkulation & Zusammensetzung der Atmosphäre eine weitere Vertiefung im Fach Grundlagen der Meteorologie und Klimaphysik vor. Gleichzeitig widmest du dich deiner Bachelorarbeit, mit der du dein Studium abschließt. Nähere Informationen zu deinen Lehrveranstaltungen findest du im Modulhandbuch.
Admission Requirements
For the bachelor's degree program in Meteorology and Climate Physics, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language, which must correspond to at least level C1 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
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
No tuition fees (German public university — see fee_details)
Semester contribution ~€235 covers public transport (KVV) and student union services.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
No tuition fees at KIT (German public university). Semester contribution of approx. €235 covers public transport and student services. Funding available via DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, Baden-Württemberg Stipendium, and KIT internal scholarships.
About Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karlsruhe, Germany
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is one of Germany's leading public research universities and among Europe's most prestigious institutions for science, engineering, and technology....
University Profile- Application Deadline EU/German nationals: September 15 | Non-EU nationals: July 15
- Language German
- Duration 6 semesters
- Credits 180 ECTS
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