Course summary

Would you like to spend one year of your degree studying physics at a foreign university? Perhaps you are interested in developing your language skills whilst studying for a degree or you see yourself working abroad in a future career. If so, our Physics (International Study) BSc programme might be for you. This four-year Physics (International Study) BSc degree programme provides a thorough training in physics, together with the opportunity to study at a university in another European country, or further afield such as Australia, Canada and Japan. The emphasis during the year abroad is on developing ability in the foreign language, if applicable, and on understanding the cultural, historical and social aspects of the host country. The combination of skills you acquire in physics and mathematics with fluency in a foreign language is attractive to potential employers. To undertake an exchange to a non-English speaking university, BSc you must hold a GCSE (grade B or above) an appropriate language. You are required to continue with language lessons during the first two years of your studies at the University of Birmingham. See the modules section for further details. There are many opportunities to undertake project work during your degree. For those who take laboratories this will be as part of your lab work in the first two years. A project develops a wide range of skills including planning and report writing. Group studies in your final year is a major project which is undertaken in groups of 10-20 students. The task requires the group to work as a team and enables you to solve a problem of much greater magnitude than could be attempted by an individual. The team work skills learnt here are invaluable in success in a future career. You will be taught by academics who are global experts in their field, you'll gain a broad understanding of the essential concepts of physics, ranging from entropy to quantum mechanics and beyond. The transferable skills you’ll also learn will make you very employable; including problem solving, computing and giving presentations.