Program Overview

BSc Meteorology and Climate with International Foundation Year

The BSc Meteorology and Climate with International Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate degree program designed for international students who want to study meteorology at a British university but don't have the correct qualifications. This program enables students to undertake an undergraduate meteorology degree after completing a foundation year.

Overview

This program is designed to tackle the biggest issues facing the planet today, including ozone depletion and climate change. Students will learn about key concepts in atmospheric science, gain an understanding of atmospheric structure and composition, and study a wide range of topics including weather disturbances, climate phenomena, and how we forecast atmospheric phenomena.

Why Study Meteorology at Reading?

The University of Reading is ranked 4th in the UK for environmental and ethical performance, 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, and 10th in the world for Atmospheric Science. The university's climate scientists played a leading role in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, and the university is home to the renowned climate stripes.

Program Structure

The program consists of a foundation year (Year 0) followed by three years of undergraduate study. The foundation year is designed to equip students with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study.

Compulsory Modules

• Academic Skills: Enhance academic study and communication skills while gradually building confidence and mastering transferable abilities.
• Core Mathematics: Learn the techniques required to analyze and solve a variety of mathematical problems.
• Quantitative Methods: Discover the techniques required to analyze and solve a variety of statistical problems.
• Physics: Gain deeper, transferable knowledge and understanding of the major concepts of physics.
• Further Mathematics: Gain a solid grounding in the aspects of vectors and matrices, kinematics of motion, advanced integration techniques, and differential equations at A-level standard.

Optional Modules

• Academic English 1: Develop the necessary basis in English for study at undergraduate level.
• Academic English 2: Develop competence in the use of English for academic purposes.
• Ecology and the Environment: Explore key concepts and processes associated with both the physical and living environment and the interactions of both within ecosystems.
• Environmental Sustainability: Explore the causes and consequences of global contemporary sustainability issues.
• Foundation Statistics and Data Science: Gain an introduction to statistics and data science, and develop key theoretical, practical, and numerical skills.

Year 1-3 Modules

The program includes a range of compulsory and optional modules in years 1-3, covering topics such as:

• Introduction to Meteorology
• Physics of the Natural World
• Weather and Climate Fundamentals
• Skills for Environmental Science
• Calculus
• Linear Algebra
• Climate Change
• Numerical and Statistical Methods for Weather and Climate Science
• Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics
• Atmospheric Physics
• Mathematical Methods for Weather and Climate

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: Ł23,000 for 2026/27 Foundation year, then rising to the standard course fees for the duration of bachelor's level study. New international students: Ł23,000 for 2026/27 Foundation year, then rising to the standard course fees for the duration of bachelor's level study.

Careers

A degree in Meteorology and Climate will provide students with a range of transferable skills, including teamwork, presenting, computing, data set analysis, numeracy, scientific writing, and the ability to work to deadlines. Graduates can pursue careers as forecasters or research scientists at national organizations, commercial companies, or in fields such as teaching, banking, and accountancy.

Related Subjects

• Meteorology and Climate
• International Foundation Pathways
• Climate Science