BSc Mathematics with International Foundation Year

Develop core skills and knowledge, and tailor your learning to the areas of maths you're most passionate about, with our flexible BSc Mathematics with International Foundation Year degree.

This programme is designed for international students. If you want to study maths at a British university but don’t have the correct qualifications, our four-year BSc Mathematics with International Foundation Year programme enables you to undertake an undergraduate mathematics degree.

You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BSc Mathematics degree. This means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies.

The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. 97% of students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

For more information, visit the International Foundation Programme website.

A supportive learning community

In the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, we are passionate about creating a friendly, inclusive learning environment.

You'll be taught by academics with a wealth of experience in industry, who are actively contributing to relevant research in a wide range of areas. Our real-world expertise will enhance your learning and understanding, keeping you updated with the latest developments in mathematics.

We aim to:

deliver high-quality, interactive teaching
collaborate with students to create an exceptional learning environment
develop your knowledge and skills through varied teaching and assessment methods
boost your confidence in mathematics and preparing you for employment.

In addition to regular contact time with your lecturers, you'll receive plenty of support, including:

small group problem-solving tutorials
materials to help you manage the transition to university-level mathematics.

You'll also be encouraged to join our Department's Student Staff Partnership Group, enabling you to have a direct input into the student experience.

97% of students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

Professional placements with BSc Mathematics

We offer a variety of summer placements – in areas such as finance, statistics or modelling – to provide you with valuable experience and insight into industry.

Our dedicated placements officer can offer advice and support to find your ideal placement, as well as developing your CV and interview skills.

Alternatively, we can choose BSc Mathematics with Placement Year, a four-year version of this course with an integrated work placement between your second and final year.

Hear from our BSc Mathematics students

Alice Winduss took full advantage of the opportunities available during her degree, including a work placement, using her skills to land a role working at the University of Reading.
Sally Cockayne completed a placement as a student statistician at GSK, allowing her to gain valuable experience and helping her decide on a future career.
Gwen Perry had a positive experience during her placement with Thames Water, supporting her aspirations in statistics.

Overview

Develop core skills and knowledge, and tailor your learning to the areas of maths you're most passionate about, with our flexible BSc Mathematics with International Foundation Year degree.

Learning

A supportive learning community

In the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, we are passionate about creating a friendly, inclusive learning environment.

We aim to:

deliver high-quality, interactive teaching
collaborate with students to create an exceptional learning environment
develop your knowledge and skills through varied teaching and assessment methods
boost your confidence in mathematics and preparing you for employment.

In addition to regular contact time with your lecturers, you'll receive plenty of support, including:

small group problem-solving tutorials
materials to help you manage the transition to university-level mathematics.

You'll also be encouraged to join our Department's Student Staff Partnership Group, enabling you to have a direct input into the student experience.

97% of students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

Professional placements with BSc Mathematics

We offer a variety of summer placements – in areas such as finance, statistics or modelling – to provide you with valuable experience and insight into industry.

Our dedicated placements officer can offer advice and support to find your ideal placement, as well as developing your CV and interview skills.

Alternatively, we can choose BSc Mathematics with Placement Year, a four-year version of this course with an integrated work placement between your second and final year.

Hear from our BSc Mathematics students

Alice Winduss took full advantage of the opportunities available during her degree, including a work placement, using her skills to land a role working at the University of Reading.
Sally Cockayne completed a placement as a student statistician at GSK, allowing her to gain valuable experience and helping her decide on a future career.
Gwen Perry had a positive experience during her placement with Thames Water, supporting her aspirations in statistics.

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

GCSE

Grades 9–4 (A*–C) in five subjects, or equivalent qualifications

IELTS

A minimum overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, with no component below 5.5.

See our IFP English Qualifications page for full details of the academic and English language entry requirements for this course.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

Compulsory modules

Academic Skills

Core Mathematics

Quantitative Methods

Physics

Further Mathematics

Optional modules

Academic English 1

Academic English 2

Foundation Economics - Microeconomics

Foundation Economics - Macroeconomics

An Introduction to Business and Management

Foundation Statistics and Data Science

These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Real Analysis I

Explore mathematical analysis concepts including inequalities, sequences, series and functions.

Calculus

Extend your existing knowledge of calculus into two or more dimensions, exploring techniques of ordinary differential equations of the first and second order and learning how programming has mathematical applications.

Foundations of Mathematics

Gain a solid introduction to fundamental topics in mathematics and develop the necessary skills to study mathematics at university-level. You’ll focus on the concept of sets, functions and various familiar number systems, as well as the importance of proofs and how to construct them.

Linear Algebra

Learn how to solve systems of linear equations, determine eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and develop the algebra of matrices which are used as a stepping-stone to the more general theory of liner and inner-product spaces.

Mathematical Communication

Discover the importance of expressing mathematical concepts and results clearly, logically and concisely and how to implement basic problem-solving strategies such as data visualisation, pattern exploration and programming.

Probability and Statistics

Understand probability and probability distributions, results and techniques for statistical reference and data science, and regression and hypothesis testing.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Differential Equations

Build on your knowledge of ordinary differential equations and explore partial differential equations and their applications. You’ll explore non-constant coefficients, integral and series solutions, Fourier series, the theory of boundary value problems, diffusion equations, wave equations and Laplace’s equation.

Algebra

Understand the concepts of abstract algebra, including groups, rings and fields and the connections between them.

Mathematical Modelling and Professional Skills

Develop your problem-solving and independent research skills by applying mathematical modelling techniques to solve real-world problems across a broad range of scientific, engineering and economical areas. You’ll also expand your team-working, presentation, career management, technical, verbal and written communication skills.

Optional modules

Real Analysis II

Expand your understanding analysis to cover continuity of functions, integration and differentiation.

Mathematical Methods and Physical Applications

Discover how vector calculus and variational principles are applied to various areas of physics, such as classical mechanics, elements of electromagnetism and diffusion.

Numerical Analysis I

Describe, analyse and implement numerical methods for problems in continuous mathematics, including solution of linear equations and nonlinear scalar equations, interpolation, scalar optimisation and solution of ordinary differential equations.

Linear Models and Data Analysis

Gain understanding of the most common models, including multiple linear regression and completely randomised designs, and explore the key principles of planned experiments. Learn how models are applied to practical problems and gain experience of real-life data analysis.

Probability and Statistical Theory

Uncover the interplay between probability theory and fundamental areas of mathematics, and formulate general real or abstract problems in a probabilistic model.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Portfolio of Projects

Conduct a series of projects on mathematical or statistical topics and develop your technical and professional skills.

Optional modules

Complex Analysis

Gain an introduction to complex analysis and how its functions can be represented, exploring aspects such as power series, exponential functions, trigonometric functions and hyperbolic functions.

Further Topics in Algebra

Continue your study of finite groups and apply your knowledge to Galois Theory.

Metric Spaces and Functional Analysis

Study analysis from a more general perspective based on the concepts of distance, including Normed, metric spaces, the concepts of convergence, continuity, compactness and completeness.

Number Theory and Cryptography

Explore a range of topics within number theory and cryptography, including the RSA cryptosystem and error correcting codes.

Probability and Measure

Explore measure theory, integration and measure theoretic probability.

Asymptotic Methods

Discover the basic ideas of asymptotic analysis and further develop your skills in solving a range of problems involving nonlinear equations, integrals and differential equations.

Applied Stochastic Processes

Learn how to solve problems using stochastic processes and concepts from a variety of applications, including molecular motion, population dynamics, weather and finances.

Dynamical Systems and Applications

Analyse dynamical systems and their applications to real-world problems. You’ll explore systems of linear and nonlinear differential equations, and understand how they’re applied to biological issues such as population growth, cell systems, and the spread of infectious diseases.

Partial Differential Equations and Applications

Examine partial differential equations and how they appear in practical applications and natural phenomena, in particular fluid mechanics, water waves and wave scattering theory.

Mathematical Physics

Explore the core topics of mathematical physics, in particular Hamiltonian formulation of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.

Numerical Analysis II

Motivate, develop and analyse a range of algorithms for the approximate solution of problems of continuous mathematics and techniques in numerical linear algebra.

Advanced Statistical Modelling

Develop an understanding of situations in which different models are likely to be appropriate, learning more about generalised linear models, repeated measurement data, and traditional and modern approaches to data analysis.

Methods of Machine Learning

Gain familiarity with the range of methods used in statistical machine learning and demonstrate how these are used in research and industry. You’ll have the opportunity to implement machine learning methods using statistical software and interpret and communicate your findings.

Summer Placement

Gain experience applying for, and completing, a summer work placement or internship with an employer.

Peer Assisted Learning

Gain a deeper understanding of your own learning and that of your peers through a series of weekly sessions. You’ll develop your coaching, organisational, presentation and communication skills by leading peer study groups and can be excellent experience if you’re considering postgraduate teacher training.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £27,650

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional Costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Your mathematical knowledge – combined with computing, teamwork and presentation skills – will make you highly desirable to a range of employers.

You may choose to work as a mathematician or statistician for public sector organisations, such as health authorities or the Office for National Statistics, or areas of the private sector, including commerce and information technology. Furthermore, you can move into a range of related careers such as accountancy, financial analysis, engineering, modelling, computing or actuarial work. Recent students have gone on to work for leading organisations from a wide variety of sectors including PepsiCo, the BBC, the Bank of East Asia and BAE Systems.

Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies.

BSc Mathematics with International Foundation Year - September Entry

A supportive learning community

Professional placements with BSc Mathematics

Hear from our BSc Mathematics students

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?