Physical sciences
Physics
BSc or MPhys
Overview
Physics studies matter, energy and the mathematical models that describe them, from particles to planets. The degree is more mathematical than many students expect from school physics. An MPhys adds a fourth year and a larger project. It is a route into research, engineering-adjacent jobs, data roles, teaching and, with further training, medical physics. Students who enjoy it like deriving a result and testing it, and they are willing to keep studying mathematics alongside the physics.
You want physics and the mathematics that comes with it.
Engineering applies physics to design. Astronomy is a specialism. Mathematics is more abstract.
People who like mathematics and explaining physical systems.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Mechanics
- Electricity
- Mathematical methods
- Laboratory physics
Later years
- Quantum and thermal physics
- Optional topics
- Project
Skills
Useful before you start
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Persistence with problems
Developed during the degree
- Modelling
- Experimental method
- Programming often appears
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Problem workshops, Laboratories.
Assessment often includes Exams, Problem sheets, Lab reports, Project.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate. Problem sheets are a large part of independent study.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | ABB–AAB. Mathematics and physics are the usual required pair. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 34 points for ABB and 36 for AAB, including 16 or 17 across three Higher Level subjects. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 4, 4 for ABB and AP 5, 5, 4 for AAB, with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. Where a course asks for mathematics, Bristol requires AP Calculus BC at 5. Manchester civil engineering accepts Physics 2 or Physics C: Mechanics where it asks for physics, and it excludes Physics 1. That is one department, not every physics requirement. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Mathematics and physics are the usual required pair.
Often recommended: Further Mathematics.
Useful preparation: Computer Science.
GCSE and IGCSE
English and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested. Science grades matter more for science degrees. No single national grade is stored. International GCSEs are not automatically accepted as GCSEs.
Indicative UK pattern only. Highly selective universities can ask for higher grades in the sciences than the typical band. Not an offer. Further mathematics is not universally required.
Other ways in
- Medical physics as a clinical scientist route is usually postgraduate.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
ESAT
Used by some courses only. A science and engineering admissions test.
Selected engineering and science courses. Not a requirement for every science degree.
Checked 2026-10-14.
Official test site
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Physicist
Direct qualifying route
The standard degree. Research posts often need postgraduate study.
Astronomer
Common route
Physics with astrophysics modules, or a later postgraduate degree, is a usual route.
Medical physicist
Common route
A physics degree is the usual first step. NHS clinical science training comes afterwards.
Meteorologist
Alternative route
Physics is a recognised background. Meteorology or mathematics can also lead in.
Secondary school teacher
Alternative route
Physics can be a teaching subject. Teacher training is additional.
Data scientist
Alternative route
A possible route if you build statistics and programming. It is not a dedicated data science degree.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.