Course summary

On this course, you’ll study the laws of the universe and the science behind major technological advances. You can learn about international experiments to search for dark matter, ways to make solar energy systems more effective and how the quantum nature of light can help us build even more powerful computers. At the start of your course, you’ll cover the essential physics behind everything else you’ll study: heat, motion, electricity, magnetism and quantum mechanics. You’ll learn through lectures and practical labs so you won’t be learning about abstract topics in isolation. You’ll run experiments using the equipment in our modern laboratories to help you understand how important theories apply to the real world. Options include astrophysics, electronics and sustainable energy. You’ll explore essential physics in even more depth in second year, and choose from options where you can learn how stars and galaxies are structured, how particles are detected or the physics of music. Optional programming classes can teach you skills that are valuable in many graduate careers, from data science to computer game design. In your third year, you can branch out into lots of different areas and complete your own research project in physics. Your core modules will cover topics like particle physics, nuclear physics and semiconductor technologies. Options include topics such as cosmology, mathematical physics and enterprise. OpenPlus entry with the Open University On the OpenPlus scheme, instead of doing our standard first year, you study physics in your own time with the Open University, allowing you to combine work with your studies. Complete this successfully, and you can transfer directly onto the second year of this degree programme. Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.