Physics
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: FF33 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, including an A level in a relevant subject.
112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject.
Cambridge Pre-U score of 54-56, to include a Principal subject in relevant subject.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at grade C or above, or equivalent/GCSE English, Mathematics and Science at grade 4 or above, or equivalent.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
29 points from the IB Diploma. 655/754 at Higher Level, including a Higher Level in a relevant subject. - 29 points from the IB Diploma. 664 at Higher Level, including a Higher Level in a relevant subject.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3,H3,H3,H3,H4-H3,H3,H3,H3,H3
To include a Higher Level in a relevant subject.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Must be in a relevant subject.
112-120 Tariff points, to include an Advanced Higher in a relevant subject.
UCAS Tariff
112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject.
112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 2 A levels one of which must be a relevant subject, plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**This is a Connected Degree**
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.
**Overview**
Advances in physics lead to new technologies that change our world and forge a path to a brighter future.
Quantum theory (the study of the subatomic) and the theory of relativity (that space and time are connected) challenge our imaginations. On this physics degree course, you'll uncover an amazing world that lies beyond what we can see. You'll learn to question the impossible and develop the confidence to push against the boundaries of what we think we know.
You’ll graduate with strong mathematical, analytical, problem-solving and computational abilities that are in high demand.
**BSc or MPhys?**
You can study this course as a 3-year Bachelor's degree (BSc) or a 4-year integrated Master's degree (MPhys).
**Course highlights**
- See physics theory in practice through visits to companies such as BAE Systems, Airbus, QinetiQ, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and others
- Benefit from our links to industry through the Portsmouth Physics Industry Advisory Board, a collection of professionals in relevant industries who help shape our course content, identify the skills employers want, teach on modules and offer placements
- Have the chance to do an industrial-based research project under supervision of a leading physicist, such as researching physics for a defence company, working in radar for BAE Systems, or data engineering within the finance sector
- Attend a programme of guest lectures on topics such as material sciences and quantum technology hosted by industry experts, including speakers from the medical physics department at Queen Alexandra Hospital
- Investigate new technologies and theories alongside the University's physics research teams (and contribute to their work in your final project), whose research was ranked in the top 10 nationally for quality of research outputs
- Use advanced technical equipment with the help of expert technical staff, including x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, electron and atomic force microscopes, various types of spectroscopy and the SCIAMA supercomputer
**Accreditation**
This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
As a supporter of the Institute of Physics Project Juno, we're committed to addressing the under-representation of women in physics and gender equality in higher education and research.
**Careers and opportunities**
This physics degree will give you strong mathematical, analytical, problem-solving and computational abilities that are in high demand in sectors like financial services, aerospace development and publishing.
After the course you could also continue your studies to a PhD or other postgraduate qualification.
Our graduates have worked for companies such as:
- Burohappold Engineering
- Tesla Engineering Ltd
- British Telecom
What jobs can you do with a physics degree?
Our graduates now work in roles including:
- data analyst
- software engineer
- project engineer
- health physicist
- physics researcher in defense sector
Whatever your career choice, our Careers and Employability service will help you to get where you want to be in your desired career. You'll get advice and support for up to 5 years after you leave the University, to ensure you get the most out of your burgeoning post-academic career.
**This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.**
Modules
Year 1
Core modules include:
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Introduction to Computational Physics
- Introduction to Laboratory and Field Physics
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 1
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 2
- Space Science and Applications of Physics
Year 2
Core modules include:
- Introduction to Modern Physics
- Mathematical Physics
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
- Waves and Optics
- Practical Laboratory and Field Physics
Optional modules include:
- Computational Physics
- Modern Foreign Language
- Mechanics and Dynamics
- Universe: Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies
Optional placement year
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work and research experience in the industry. Previous students have completed placements in well-known organisations such as BAE Systems, Airbus and QinetiQ. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.
Year 3
Core modules include:
- Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information
- Solid State Physics and Detectors
Optional modules include:
- Group Project
- Health Physics
- Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology
- Introduction to Multiferroic Materials and their Applications
- Mathematical Methods for Physics
- Modern Astrophysics 1
- Nanoscale Surface Physics
- Particle Physics
- Physical Cosmology
- Project
- Statistical Learning
- Undergraduate Ambassador
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Assessment methods
There is a variety of ways in which you are assessed including coursework, practical work (both laboratory and field based), presentations, production of posters and portfolios and a research based final-year project.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Technology
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.
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
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
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.
£18k
£26k
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?
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