Physics at University of Manchester - UCAS

University of Manchester

Degree level: Undergraduate

Physics

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

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Course summary

Join one of the most respected Department of Physics in the country and enjoy the flexibility, choice and challenge of our BSc Physics degree. In Years 1 and 2, the course provides a foundation in classical physics, including dynamics, waves, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. At the same time newer concepts are introduced, including the unification of space and time, the meaning of wave-particle duality and the relation between entropy and disorder. You will be taught this introduction through course units in special relativity, quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. These modern concepts and the techniques of classical physics lay the foundation for study in Year 3, during which you can choose from a wide range of options to develop your expertise in diverse topics that include: atomic and molecular structure, solid state electronic devices, electro-magnetic radiation, lasers, stars and cosmology, particle and nuclear physics, and the more advanced aspects of theoretical physics. Working with leading academics and accessing our incredible facilities, you will be well placed to progress along your physics journey.

How to apply

29Jan

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:: F300

Institution code:: M20

Campus name:: Main Site

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAA

A*A*A, including A* in both Physics and Mathematics. If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year . Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. Typical Contextual Offer: A*AA, including Physics and Mathematics. The A* must be in Physics or Mathematics. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD

Access to HE Diploma

Given that it is not possible to meet our published offer conditions within an Access to HE Diploma, we would not recommend this qualification as the best way of preparing for our courses. However, we would look very carefully at any applications from exceptional Access students, studying a relevant Access to HE Diploma, who were on track to gain the AAA equivalent (45 graded credits at Level 3 with Distinction grade). We would treat any such exceptional students on a case-by-case basis, looking very carefully at past academic history and the academic reference; promising candidates would be invited to interview to add supplementary information. A decision would be made about entry holistically on the basis of all information (including details of the course undertaken) and would usually be conditional on the above standard. As each application is considered individually, applicants should contact the Department Admissions Team to discuss their particular circumstances before applying.

Scottish Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA, including Physics and Mathematics. Or Two Advanced Highers with grades AA in Physics and Mathematics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Department Admissions Team.

AS

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Scottish Advanced Higher

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 38 points

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - A

Extended Project

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D2, D2, D3

D2, D2, D3 in Principal subjects, including D2 in both Physics and Mathematics. We also consider applicants offering a mix of Pre-U Principal Subjects and A-level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall are taken. The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. However, the qualification will not form part of your offer conditions. If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DD

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D

T Level - Not accepted

The University recognises a number of foundation courses as suitable for entry to this undergraduate course. Applicants completing the Northern Consortium (NCUK) International Foundation Year or INTO Manchester International Foundation in Science and Engineering are required to achieve grades A*A*A with A* in both Physics and Mathematics and grade C in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Applicants studying other Foundation courses should contact the Department Admissions Team to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this course and for specific entry requirements.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	6	With no less than 5.5 in each sub-test.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: - GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade 4/C - IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in each component - TOEFL iBT 80 with no less than 20 in speaking and 18 in all other subscores - An acceptable equivalent qualification Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above.

Student Outcomes

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Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

Fees for entry in 2025 have not yet been set. For entry in 2024 the tuition fees were £9,250 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2025 entry.

Provider information

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University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

Course contact details

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Directorate for the Student Experience

[email protected]

View address on Google Maps

Location	Qualification	Study mode	Duration	Start date	Apply
Main Site	BSc (Hons) - Bachelor of Science (with Honours)	Full-time	3 years	22 September 2025	Available to Apply	Course option 713d650b-159b-4832-b516-9b28b24f3619