Course summary

On this course, you’ll develop the skills for a career in physics research, whether you want to help decode the laws of the universe or contribute to new technological advances in industry. You can work alongside scientists who are leading international experiments to search for dark matter, finding ways to make solar energy systems more effective and studying the quantum nature of light to help 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. You’ll explore essential physics in even more depth in your 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. Programming classes will teach you skills that are valuable in many graduate careers, from data science to computer game design. In the 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. A variety of optional modules are also available in the fourth year, when you’ll be working on a major research project. You’ll choose a research topic in physics and work closely with a member of academic staff who is an expert in the area you want to explore. The project takes up around half of your final year and can lead to a publication in a scientific journal. 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.