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Physics

Entry requirements


A level

B,C,C-B,B,B

including Physics and Maths, with one at B for entry to Year 1. For entry to Year 2: ABB including Physics and Maths with one at A.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

29

with Higher Level Physics and Maths at 5 for entry to Year 1. For entry to Year 2: 33 points with Higher Level Physics and Maths at 6.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DMM

in a relevant subject (including sufficient Physics and Maths) for entry to Year 1. For entry to Year 2: DDD in a relevant subject (including sufficient Physics and Maths).

Scottish Advanced Higher

B,B

in Physics and Maths plus Highers ABBB for entry to Year 2.

Scottish HNC

Pass

HNC in a relevant subject (including sufficient Physics and Maths) with B in graded unit for entry to Year 1. For Year 2 entry: HNC in a relevant subject (including sufficient Physics and Maths) with A in graded unit.

Scottish HND

Pass

For Year 2 entry: HND in a relevant subject (including sufficient Physics and Maths) with BB in graded units.

Scottish Higher

A,B,B,B

including Physics and Maths.

We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.

UCAS Tariff

96-120

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Physics

BSc (Hons) Physics at Heriot-Watt University is a four-year undergraduate degree, accredited by the Institute of Physics. Heriot-Watt University was ranked 1st in the UK for physics in the National Student Survey 2020 (Overall Student Satisfaction).

The study of physics allows us to accurately measure the universe around us. We can develop models to explain what is going on and then use those models to predict what is otherwise unknown. From studying particles so small their existence can only be inferred, to researching the largest and most massive black holes we have found in the universe, this subject trains you to rapidly adapt your skills to tackle the next emerging challenge, whatever that may be.

**Physics degree overview**
This four-year Physics degree covers subjects including dynamics, electromagnetic fields and optics. These areas lead onto the quantum world of subatomic particles, the unique nature of laser light, and the philosophically challenging ideas of quantum physics and astrophysics. Mathematics also plays an important part to help us understand physical concepts in more depth. In later years, dedicated courses for Biophysics, Nanophotonics, Fibre-Optic Communications and Quantum Mechanics allow students to delve deep into current research areas and discuss their questions with leading experts.

**Physics Rankings**
The National Student Survey 2021 ranked Heriot-Watt University 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for the "Average % Agree" to all questions, and 2nd in Scotland and 5th in the UK for Overall Satisfaction in Physics.
Physics at Heriot-Watt University is ranked 2nd in Scotland and 5th in the UK by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021, in the subject of Physics and Astronomy.

**Accreditation**
BSc (Hons) Physics is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.

**Practical learning**
We have invested heavily in developing practical labs which students use throughout their degree. Our lab facilities are supported by friendly and helpful staff to ensure everyone can benefit of practical lab work.

First year lab activities develop fundamental skills that will allow you to carry out individual experiments throughout later stages of your degree. Typically, there will be 3 hours of timetabled laboratory work each week, exploring topics like optics, electronics, and mechanics.

From Year 2 onwards, teaching laboratories include more advanced experiments in radioactivity, dynamics, solar-cell efficiency, aerodynamics, interferometry, optical fibres, and electronics. Computer modelling and computer interfaced experiments also form part of many activities.

**Grounded in the research**
This degree is taught by passionate and engaging experts who relate taught material to their own research and explore the context and applications of the physics discussed.

Particular focus is given to the work of Heriot-Watt’s Research Institute for Photonic and Quantum Science and the Research Institute for Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering.

In 2021 Heriot-Watt University won the Queens Anniversary Prize for research in photonics – the highest honour in UK education.

**Student experience and Physics Society**
We take great pride in our ability to provide support to all students though tutoring, pastoral support and informal activities. Our staff to student ratio is consistently high, which allows us to offer a personalised and relaxed approach to teaching, which helps students achieve high academic standards.
Our student-run Physics Society offers students the chance to interact with others through activities ranging from formal speakers to social events and trips.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£24,048
per year
International
£24,048
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£1,820
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni


Course location:

Edinburgh Campus

Department:

Physics

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

85%
Physics

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Physics

Teaching and learning

76%
Staff make the subject interesting
85%
Staff are good at explaining things
74%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
78%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

91%
Library resources
76%
IT resources
91%
Course specific equipment and facilities
78%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

84%
UK students
16%
International students
85%
Male students
15%
Female students
80%
2:1 or above
8%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
A

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Physics

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£21,500
med
Average annual salary
94%
med
Employed or in further education
56%
low
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

17%
Business, research and administrative professionals
16%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
13%
Engineering professionals

Although the subject has seen a bit of resurgence in recent years, the UK is still felt to be short of physics graduates, and in particular physicists training as teachers. If you want a career in physics research — in all sorts of areas, from atmospheric physics to lasers - you'll probably need to take a doctorate, and so have a think about where you would like to do that and how you might fund it (the government funds many physics doctorates, so you might not find it as hard as you think). With that in mind, it's not surprising that just over a fifth of physics graduates go on to take doctorates when they finish their degree, and well over a third of physicists take some kind of postgraduate study in total. Physics is highly regarded and surprisingly versatile, which is why physics graduates who decide not to stay in education are more likely to go into well-paid jobs in the finance industry than they are to go into science. The demand and versatility of physics degrees goes to explain why they're amongst the best-paid science graduates.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Physics

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£24k

£24k

£26k

£26k

£37k

£37k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here