On our BSc Mathematics and Meteorology course you will explore the physics of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in a mathematical context whilst learning how to build effective numerical models.
Modern weather forecasting and climate prediction rely upon accurate numerical modelling of the atmosphere and oceans. This course will enable you to develop your mathematics skills whilst gaining a broad knowledge of meteorology and environmental physical science. You will spend roughly equal amounts of time studying each subject. This degree is ideal if you are considering a career applying mathematical techniques to environmental problems.
In mathematics you will study the theory and application of differential equations, underpinned by a knowledge of calculus, analysis and linear algebra. You will be given plenty of support to help you get the most out of your studies, including small group problem-solving tutorials and materials to help you manage the transition to university-level mathematics. Additionally, you can get involved with the Department's Staff Student Forums and the Student Teaching and Learning Group, which enable you to have a direct input into the student experience.
In meteorology you will explore the inner workings of weather systems from a physical and dynamic viewpoint. The course is theory-based and will cover subjects such as atmospheric physics, numerical methods, climate change, and weather and climate fundamentals. In the second year you will also take a skills module, which is designed to improve your transferable skills and enhance your employability.
Many of our excellent teaching staff are world leaders in their fields and a number are Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) authors and Fellows of the Royal Society. We also have a Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science. The University is one of only 19 institutes in the UK to have been awarded one of these prestigious positions by Her Majesty the Queen.
In the final year of the degree you can develop your knowledge by exploring areas of interest in greater depth. Half of the modules in this year are optional and include subjects from both areas of the course such as water waves, fluid mechanics and oceanography. During this year you will complete either a meteorological or mathematical research project.
This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master's degrees.
It is also approved by the Royal Meteorological Society as appropriate academic training for meteorologists seeking the qualifications of Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) or Registered Meteorologist (RMet).
These courses will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competencies to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master’s degrees.
Placement
You may choose to carry out a summer placement in an area such as finance, statistics or modelling in order to gain an insight into industry and gain valuable experience.
Alternatively, you can opt to take the four-year version of this course, incorporating a year in industry. You will be given advice and support for finding the ideal placement, as well for writing a CV and improving your interview skills, by our dedicated placements officer.
For more information, please visit the Department of Maths and Statistics website.
Overview
Modern weather forecasting and climate prediction rely upon accurate numerical modelling of the atmosphere and oceans. This course will enable you to develop your mathematics skills whilst gaining a broad knowledge of meteorology and environmental physical science. You will spend roughly equal amounts of time studying each subject. This degree is ideal if you are considering a career applying mathematical techniques to environmental problems.
In mathematics you will study the theory and application of differential equations, underpinned by a knowledge of calculus, analysis and linear algebra. You will be given plenty of support to help you get the most out of your studies, including small group problem-solving tutorials and materials to help you manage the transition to university-level mathematics. Additionally, you can get involved with the Department's Staff Student Forums and the Student Teaching and Learning Group, which enable you to have a direct input into the student experience.
In meteorology you will explore the inner workings of weather systems from a physical and dynamic viewpoint. The course is theory-based and will cover subjects such as atmospheric physics, numerical methods, climate change, and weather and climate fundamentals. In the second year you will also take a skills module, which is designed to improve your transferable skills and enhance your employability.
Many of our excellent teaching staff are world leaders in their fields and a number are Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) authors and Fellows of the Royal Society. We also have a Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science. The University is one of only 19 institutes in the UK to have been awarded one of these prestigious positions by Her Majesty the Queen.
In the final year of the degree you can develop your knowledge by exploring areas of interest in greater depth. Half of the modules in this year are optional and include subjects from both areas of the course such as water waves, fluid mechanics and oceanography. During this year you will complete either a meteorological or mathematical research project.
This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master's degrees.
It is also approved by the Royal Meteorological Society as appropriate academic training for meteorologists seeking the qualifications of Chartered Meteorologist (CMet) or Registered Meteorologist (RMet).
These courses will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competencies to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught master’s degrees.
Placement
You may choose to carry out a summer placement in an area such as finance, statistics or modelling in order to gain an insight into industry and gain valuable experience.
Alternatively, you can opt to take the four-year version of this course, incorporating a year in industry. You will be given advice and support for finding the ideal placement, as well for writing a CV and improving your interview skills, by our dedicated placements officer.
For more information, please visit the Department of Maths and Statistics website.
Entry requirements A Level ABC | IB 30 points overall
Typical offer
ABC with an A in Maths, and if you place us as your Firm choice we will accept you with one grade lower than this, including accepting a B in Maths at A-level (e.g BBC with Maths at B or ABD with Maths at either A or B).
If you are studying an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in addition to your A levels and achieve a B in the EPQ we will accept ACC at A level with an A in Mathematics. If you place us as Firm choice we will accept BCC with a B in Mathematics alongside a B in the EPQ.
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall including 6 in Maths at higher level. If you place us as your Firm choice we will accept you with 28 points overall including 5 in Maths at higher level.
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MA1LA | Linear Algebra | PROF Paul Glaister |
MA1FM | Foundations of Mathematics | DR Jani Virtanen |
MA1CA | Calculus | DR Peter Chamberlain |
MT11D | Weather and Climate Fundamentals | DR Peter Inness |
MT11C | Introduction to Meteorology | DR Thorwald Stein |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | MRS Jackie Baines |
ST1PS | Probability and Statistics | DR Karen Poulter |
MT12C | Skills for Environmental Science | PROF Keith Morrison |
PH101 | Physics of the Natural World | PROF Matt Owens |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MA2RA1 | Real Analysis I | DR Karl-Mikael Perfekt |
MA2VC | Vector Calculus | DR Peter Chamberlain |
MA2DE | Differential Equations | DR Peter Sweby |
MT24A | Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics | DR Miguel Teixeira |
MT24B | Atmospheric Physics | DR Chris Westbrook |
MT24C | Numerical Methods for Environmental Science | PROF Paul Williams |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MA2MPH | Mathematical Physics | DR Calvin Smith |
MA2MOD | Mathematical Modelling | DR Zuowei Wang |
MA2ALA | Algebra | DR Basil Corbas |
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Norbert Morawetz |
ED2TS2 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
MT2SWC | Statistics for Weather and Climate Science | PROF Ted Shepherd |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MT37B | General Studies | DR Thorwald Stein |
MT38A | The Global Circulation | DR Andrew Charlton-Perez |
MT38B | Climate Change | PROF Bill Collins |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MA3CEC | Cryptography and Error Correcting Codes | DR Basil Corbas |
MA3CV | Calculus of Variations | DR Calvin Smith |
MA3DS | Dynamical Systems | DR Peter Chamberlain |
MA3FM | Fluid Mechanics | DR Alex Lukyanov |
MA3MB | Mathematical Biology | DR Marcus Tindall |
MA3NAT | Numerical Analysis II | DR Amos Lawless |
MA3PRO | Part 3 Project | DR Patrick Ilg |
MA3RCA | Real and Complex Analysis | DR Titus Hilberdink |
MA3PAL | Peer Assisted Learning | DR Calvin Smith |
MA3SPL | Summer Placement | MRS Claire Newbold |
MA3SMA | Statistical Mechanics and Applications | PROF Valerio Lucarini |
MA3VC | Vector Calculus | DR Peter Chamberlain |
MA3AM | Asymptotic Methods | PROF Paul Glaister |
MA3AST | Applied Stochastic Processes | DR Patrick Ilg |
MA3XJ | Integral Equations | PROF Simon Chandler-Wilde |
MA3Z7 | Number Theory | DR Titus Hilberdink |
ED3TS3 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 3 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED3TS4 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ST3MVA | Multivariate Data Analysis | MISS Hannah Fairbanks |
MT37A | Part 3 Project | PROF Geoff Wadge |
MT37D | Remote Sensing Methods and Applications | PROF Nicolas Bellouin |
MT37E | Dynamics of Weather Systems | DR Chris Holloway |
MT37F | Oceanography | PROF Keith Haines |
MT38C | Numerical Weather Prediction | PROF Peter Clark |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £20,830 per year
*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
This course will make you ideally placed for a career applying mathematical techniques to environmental problems. For example, you could carry out flood modelling or pollution prediction for organisations such as the Environment Agency.
As a mathematics graduate, you can choose to work as a mathematician 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, computing or actuarial work.
Your meteorological knowledge will enable you to work as a forecaster or research scientist at a national organisation, such as the UK Met Office, or a commercial company. Financial businesses are increasingly employing weather forecasters to advise traders of the possible outcomes of the weather on prices of commodities, and a number of our graduates now work in this area.
Alternatively you can choose to further develop your skills by moving into research, teacher training or postgraduate studies.
Not only has the University increased my knowledge of Mathematics and Statistics but it has also made me a far more confident person. It is nice to know that whenever you have a problem, whether it is personal or academic, help is only round the corner.
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