Course summary
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
- Burohappold Engineering
- Tesla Engineering Ltd
- British Telecom
- data analyst
- software engineer
- project engineer
- health physicist
- physics researcher in defense sector
Modules
Year 1 Core modules include:
- Classical Physics 1 (20 credits)
- Introduction to Computational Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Laboratory and Field Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 1 (20 credits)
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 2 (20 credits)
- Space Science and Applications of Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Modern Physics (20 credits)
- Mathematical Physics (20 credits)
- Practical Laboratory and Field Physics (20 credits)
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (20 credits)
- Waves and Optics (20 credits)
- Computational Physics (20 credits)
- Mechanics and Dynamics (20 credits)
- Universe: Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies (20 credits)
- Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information (20 credits)
- Solid State Physics and Detectors (20 credits)
- Group Project (20 credits)
- Health Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology (20 credits)
- Introduction to Multiferroic Materials and Their Applications (20 credits)
- Mathematical Methods for Physics (20 credits)
- Modern Astrophysics 1 (20 credits)
- Nanoscale Surface Physics (20 credits)
- Particle Physics (20 credits)
- Physical Cosmology (20 credits)
- Project (20 credits)
- Statistical Learning (20 credits)
- Undergraduate Ambassador (20 credits)
- Advanced Physics Research Project (60 credits)
- Advanced Computational Techniques (20 credits)
- Advanced Instrumentation (20 credits)
- Contemporary Theoretical Physics (20 credits)
- Modern Astrophysics 2 (20 credits)
- Observational Astronomy & Cosmology (20 credits)
Assessment method
There is a variety 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.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Physics, Institute of
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F302
- Institution code:
- P80
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 - 128 points
A level - ABB - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 - 30 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3 - H2, H2, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - Not accepted
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
EU | £9535 | Year 1 |
England | £9535 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
International | £19200 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP