The BSc (Meteorology) programme focuses on the study of atmospheric processes. An ideal candidate is someone who is fascinated by weather phenomena and is interested in all things concerned with natural science.

This is the only Meteorology programme offered in South Africa and the SADC region.

A student who has successfully completed the BScHons (Meteorology) degree will be regarded as a Class 1 Meteorologist by the World Meteorological Organisation.

The BScHons (Meteorology) degree, which is required to become a professional meteorologist, complies fully with the Manual on the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology Volume I – Meteorology.

Candidates are employed as researchers, climatologists, weather forecasters, consultants and lecturers.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Meteorologists are employed by institutions involved in the study, interpretation and prediction of weather and phenomena relating to the climate. The South African Weather Service (SAWS), the CSIR, some universities, agricultural institutions and general industries employ meteorologists who mainly practise as specialists in the following areas:

• Researchers: They research all aspects of the weather and climate in order to improve understanding of atmospheric phenomena. Atmospheric modellers use supercomputers to solve complex flow dynamic equations of the atmosphere. The monitoring of air quality and the modelling of the impact of air pollution on society are two important aspects that need to be addressed. Research into climate change is receiving increasing attention.
• Weather forecasters: It is the duty of the forecaster to analyse data and predict the weather by using models that are run on supercomputers. Weather forecasts are issued on different time scales, from very short-range forecasting to forecasts valid for months ahead, as well as seasonal forecasts. There are also some private weather forecasting positions, such as presenting the weather on television.
• Climatologists: They manage important data sets that contain large volumes of information gathered by the SAWS and other organisations.
• Consultants: Some meteorologists who work as consultants in the private sector and at universities provide specialised research services.
• Lecturers: A few academic positions are available for meteorologists and climatologists at South African universities. They ensure that the training of meteorologists meets international standards.

The BScHons Meteorology degree, which is required to become a professional meteorologist, complies fully with the Manual on the Implementation of Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology Volume I – Meteorology.

Important information for all prospective students for 2023

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

You will be considered for final admission to degree studies if space allows, and if you have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with admission to bachelor’s degree studies, and comply with the minimum subject requirements as well as the APS requirements of your chosen programme.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

International students: Click here.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

Note:

• Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
• Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
• Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students

Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.

Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Meteorology), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Physical Sciences, which requires an additional year of study.

All modules will only be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence at the University of Pretoria.

Faculty Yearbooks: click here. 

The University of Pretoria has decided not to set a specific closing date for applications to non-selection programmes for 2023. Applications will close when the available study spaces are filled (close on availability of space). Once the available number of study places for a specific programme are filled, no further applications for that particular programme will be considered. All applicants are therefore strongly advised and encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after 1 April 2022 and to check the application site (UP Student Portal) regularly. 

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is home to more than 6 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Faculty presents degrees in fields ranging from the proverbial A to Z – from actuaries to zoologists, and consists of 13 departments.

All degree programmes are designed to develop problem-solving individuals who can easily adapt to changing circumstances and take the lead in their chosen fields of specialisation. The qualifications awarded are of world-class and provide access to a multitude of career opportunities for dynamic and creative people. According to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings the University has achieved new world rankings in Physical Sciences, a discipline which features strongly in NAS and also maintains excellent positions on the ISI Web of Science (WOS) field rankings in Plant and Animal Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Environment and Ecology Sciences.

In the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we strive to continuously improve our high impact research and significantly address the national shortage of PhD graduates that respond to global and local challenges.

• Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.