STEM degrees with minimal maths

A degree in environmental science normally involves studying how physical, chemical and biological processes maintain and interact with life, including how humans affect nature. 

As is the case with geology, there might be some basic maths involved when analysing results, but you’ll be focusing more on environmental issues, policy, and management, rather than complex mathematical modelling. 

The BSc in Environmental Science at the University of Manchester (ranked as the seventh best university in the UK according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023) requires students to have studied at least one science subject at either A-Level or IB.  

Some statistical learning is required; however, a large part of your assessment will also be conducted through essays, written assignments, oral and written assignments, and fieldwork, indicating that you’ll also be focusing on wider communication and subject specific skills.  

Health sciences is concerned with the physiology of the body’s major systems, and human health and disease. You can expect to study causes, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.  

At New York University (NYU), the Master of Public Health involves some study of biostatistics in order to apply descriptive and inferential methodologies to answer research questions.  

It’s worth stressing that you’ll be able to tailor your degree to meet your interests and choose specialisations in fields such as global health, epidemiology, and public health policy and management, minimising maths-related modules where possible. 

According to UCAS, while psychology programmes in the UK accept A-Level maths, it’s also acceptable to have studied chemistry, physics or biology if you didn’t choose maths. 

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, meaning you’ll be observing, experimenting, and analysing human and animal behaviour.  

Some areas of psychology, such as cognitive neuroscience, may include statistics and data analysis but compared to other fields such as engineering and physics, the overall focus is less maths-oriented. 

Depending on what you choose to specialise in, a basic understanding of maths at undergraduate level may suffice.  

Harvard University is ranked as the best university in the world for psychology, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.  

Students on the undergraduate programme can choose between three tracks, including the General Track. This is the most flexible of the tracks and is designed to provide you with a foundation in the subfields of your choice before starting advanced coursework. 

That means you’ll have the opportunity to explore the breadth of psychology without having to study maths aside from the programme’s essential requirements.