Gain the skills to become a quantitative scientist, along with vital industry experience, with our BSc Mathematics and Statistics with Data Science with a Placement Year degree.
Expertise in data science, statistics and mathematics is increasingly important in a wide range of areas, including finance and business, climate science, medicine, and the civil service.
This course will equip you with the skills to work confidently in all three disciplines, and to bridge the gaps between them.
Choose BSc Mathematics and Statistics with Data Science with a Placement Year
- Enjoy an enviable staff to student ratio, with a personalised focus on your education. 97% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, 96.97% of responders from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics).
- 98% of our mathematical research is world leading or internationally excellent. 100% of our research impact has been classed outstanding or very considerable (Research Excellence Foundation 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Mathematical Sciences).
- The University of Reading is in the top 125 in the world for Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, by Subject).
- The University is ranked 1st in the UK for environmental and ethical performance (People and Planet University League, 2023/24), and won the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership in 2023.
- The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Your study will take place on our parkland campus at Whiteknights, which has been voted among the best and most popular green spaces in the UK for 14 consecutive years in the Green Flag Awards.
What you’ll study
This course has been designed to develop your expertise in mathematics and statistical theory. You’ll also learn how to apply statistics and data science methods to real-world problems and complex data sets.
In maths you will study:
- calculus
- analysis
- linear algebra
- differential equations.
In statistics and data science you will cover:
- linear models
- statistical computing
- probability
- regression and classification methods
- unsupervised machine learning.
You'll also gain expertise in computing, particularly in the use of statistical software to interpret and communicate findings.
Placement year
This four-year degree includes an integrated, year-long work placement between your second and final year.
We offer a variety of 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.
- Read about Francesca Stranders experiences at Morgan Stanley and Sally Cockayne's placement with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
If you'd prefer not to do a year-long placement, you can choose our three-year BSc Mathematics and Statistics with Data Science degree, which offers a variety of summer placement opportunities.
Chartered Mathematician designation
This course is approved by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications to meet the educational requirements of Chartered Mathematician designation, when followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain competencies equivalent to those specified by the QAA for taught masters degrees.
