Bachelors in Physics in UK

Physics at Imperial covers a broad range of topics in both fundamental and applied physics.

All of our physics courses follow the same core curriculum for the first two years. This gives you a good grounding in physics, mathematics and experimental methods, and prepares you for advanced study in later years. Topics include:

• Mathematics
• Mechanics
• Electromagnetism
• Quantum physics
• Relativity
• Optics
• Thermodynamics

Our Physics with a Year Abroad BSc course gives you the opportunity to study a physics degree in the heart of London, with a year at a university in Europe, Asia or the USA. The host institution will make the final decision on your application to study there and it will depend on your performance in you end of year exams. The year abroad will allow you to experience different approaches to physics and demonstrate your capacity to study and work in an overseas environment. You may also choose to include language modules in your degree to develop your skills.

Astrophysics introduces you to the basics of physics and demonstrates how this knowledge can be applied to the physics of astronomy. Recent astronomical discoveries have made it an increasingly popular area of study.

The School of Physics and Astronomy has close links with the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, one of the UK's major centres of astronomical research.

Physics deals with fundamental questions about the Universe, and key technological and environmental issues of our time. Warwick's Physics degree involves studying beautiful theories about the properties of space and matter. It also develops valuable transferable skills and expertise, opening doors to exciting careers and graduate job opportunities. Study with us and enjoy benefits that last a lifetime.

Durham is one of the leading physics and astronomy departments in the UK, enrolling around 170 students each year. The dedication to our teaching and research consistently puts us high up in all the league tables. While studying here you will benefit from the buzz and creative environment of a large research department and join a dynamic and focused intellectual community. Our research ranges from fundamental elementary particle physics and cosmology to more applied topics in which we collaborate closely with industry.

We offer degrees in Physics, Physics and Astronomy, and Theoretical Physics, all of which are accredited by the Institute of Physics. Our course structures have been designed to provide flexibility in your final choice of degree course. The three-year BSc degree is aimed at those mainly interested in a degree in Physics as a preparation for a career, not necessarily in the Physics area.

The MPhys teaches physics in greater depth than the BSc Honours degree. It’s for those of you who want to pursue a professional career in physics, with classes designed to meet the needs of the professional physicist.

You’ll focus your studies on a specific area, such as theoretical and computational physics, plasma physics or laser physics. You’ll also undertake a project, supervised by a member of staff in their research labs.

There is a strong emphasis on laboratory work, which will help you develop a sound understanding of experimental physics and instrumentation.

You’ll complete your laboratory work training with a research project carried out in an up-to-date research lab, attached to one of the department’s research groups. This allows you to benefit from our lively and diverse research environment.

Accredited by the Institute of Physics for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.

Understanding the origin and evolution of the universe is one of the most exciting and challenging problems in modern science.

In this programme you’ll use practical and theoretical approaches to explore the evolution and properties of astrophysical systems. You’ll apply the methods used by astronomers to determine the composition and distance of other stars and galaxies. And you’ll develop an understanding of the role played by dark matter and dark energy in the large-scale structure of the universe and its accelerating expansion.

Specialist modules focus on cosmology, galaxies, stars and planetary systems and are taught by active researchers involved in high-profile active research projects. Extra option modules provide scope for you to explore topics beyond the core syllabus, providing you with a rounded physics education with a specialist focus.

You’ll develop practical skills in lab work and programming that can be applied in commerce, industry or research.

In your final year, you’ll further develop your own interests through the completion of an independent research project, supervised by one of the School’s astrophysicists.

Our three-year Physics with Astrophysics degree provides a strong understanding of the fundamental pillars of physics and a thorough grounding in advanced mathematics. You'll apply physics, mathematics and computation to understand the origin and evolution of the universe.

Hands-on experience in our high-spec facilities is embedded throughout the degree and will develop your practical skills for a wide range of physical science careers.

Guided by our world-leading academics, you'll study a broad range of cutting edge physics modules. In your final year, you'll specialise in astrophysics with modules such as relativity and cosmology, stellar structure and evolution and interstellar medium. 

On this course, you’ll put your astrophysics knowledge into practice on a work placement and build up more experience for your CV. Placement opportunities for our astrophysics students include the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes in the Canary Islands and the Thai National Observatory.

When you’re in Sheffield, you’ll spend half your time studying astrophysics modules, which means our degree programme has more astrophysics content than most. There are two telescopes on the roof of our building, which you’ll be trained to use from your first year. We also run a telescope on La Palma in the Canary Islands, which students use during our annual field trip. 

Taught jointly with Lancaster’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, our MSci degree in Theoretical Physics with Mathematics (Study Abroad) combines core physics and specialised theoretical physics subjects with classes in pure mathematics. This equips you with an understanding of the mathematical foundations of physics, for example, you will learn how quantum mechanics is underpinned by the powerful mathematical concept of a Hilbert space.

In your first year you will cover the core of physics in modules such as Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism, and the core of mathematics including geometry and calculus, numbers and relations, and probability.

In years two and three, the core physics modules are complemented by courses from the Theoretical Physics scheme and mathematical topics such as group theory and differential equations.

On our BSc and MPhys, you’ll study core topics, such as particle, nuclear and atomic physics, and optional modules. During your first year, you can switch between most of our specialist physics courses.

The option to take an integrated research year or Professional Training placement also gives you invaluable hands-on experience to enhance your employability.

You can apply to study for either a BSc or an MPhys, a direct route to a masters qualification. Included in the MPhys is an integrated research year, which allows you to develop your skills in an academic or industrial arena, before returning for your final masters-level modules.

Interested in physics, theoretical physics or astrophysics but don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree? A Foundation Year can help you get on to the course you want.

In the Department of Physics and Astronomy, you’ll be taught by the experts who are driving our research programmes. You’ll have full access to our facilities and equipment.

You’ll be a part of our close community, including:

plenty of opportunities for one-to-one support

shared spaces for peer study support

socialising with other students across all years in the Physics Society.

Once you’ve successfully completed your Foundation Year, you can choose from degrees in whichever branch of physics interests you the most – from astrophysics to theoretical physics. If you’re a high-achiever in your Foundation Year, you also have the option of joining one of our integrated Masters courses (MPhys).

All our Physics students study the same core of fundamental physics and maths, based on Institute of Physics (IOP) 'core of physics' material. This includes classical mechanics, waves and fields, electromagnetism, special relativity, thermodynamics, quantum and atomic physics. By choosing the Physics MPhys you will have access to the widest range of specialist options in each year.

As a physics student at Leicester you will acquire an appreciation of the scope and impact of modern physics and the use of mathematics, computing and experimentation to solve important real-world problems.

You will study the fundamental theories of physics, from classical mechanics, waves and fields, to relativity, atomic and particle physics. Through option courses and projects you will have the opportunity to explore the areas of physics linked to the School's world-leading research - such as planetary science, climate physics, nanotechnology, astrophysics, medical physics and space science.

This programme draws on the presence of the largest mathematical physics group in Scotland to deliver a programme that combines the core material of an excellent mathematics degree together with the precise mathematical language of 21st century mathematical physics. The skills acquired will be of great use to those wishing to carry on with postgraduate study and will also be highly valued by employers interested in mathematicians who can describe and solve real-world problems.