Undergraduate

Physics

UK University

Overview

Physics is offered widely in the UK, so the useful comparison is between departments rather than between countries. It is a three year undergraduate degree, with the specialism widening as you move through the years.

Teaching in Physics is assessed through practical reports as well as written papers, and the lab component is what makes the timetable full.

Applications open around a year ahead of the intake. Getting the documents together early is what keeps the September date realistic.

Entry requirements

Careers opportunities

Read by employers as one of the hardest quantitative degrees, and its graduates are hired well outside physics. Research posts require a doctorate; the larger destinations are technology, finance, engineering and teaching.

Roles graduates go into

  • Research scientist, after a doctorate
  • Data scientist or quantitative analyst
  • Systems or instrumentation engineer
  • Software engineer
  • Medical physicist, after training
  • Physics teacher, with a teaching qualification

Where they work

  • Technology and engineering companies
  • Finance and trading firms
  • Defence, aerospace and national laboratories
  • NHS medical physics
  • Schools and universities
After the course

A doctorate for research, the NHS Scientist Training Programme for medical physics, or a PGCE for teaching.

Fees and funding

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