The BPhO Competitions

The British Physics Olympiad

This competition is intended for A2 level students, or equivalent level students. There are four rounds in the competition to select five students to compete in the annual International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). This takes place in one of the 70 competing countries. It consists of two challenging papers; a theoretical paper and an experimental paper. In addition, during the ten-day Olympiad, there are visits, social events and entertainment. The Olympiad funds all the costs.

The Round 1 paper of the British Physics Olympiad is mailed to all UK schools early in September. Teachers are provided with complete solutions and a marking scheme. This is based on the national curriculum. Those students that excel in this paper are encouraged to enter Round 2. This more challenging paper is marked at Olympiad Headquarters. There is an entry fee. Some 1,000 students tackle this paper.

Over 300 book prizes are awarded to students who excel in this Round 2 paper. A Presentation ceremony takes place for the top 15 students at The Royal Society in April/May. Fifty of the highest scoring students continue to Round 3. Some tuition by correspondence is provided for the Round 3 paper. Fifteen of the highest scoring students in Round 3, the finalists, are invited to the three-day training camp at Abingdon School in Oxfordshire. There they will take the Round 4 papers, an experimental examination paper and a further theoretical paper. Finally five students will be chosen to represent Britain at the International Physics Olympiad in July. Prior to the IPhO there is further training by correspondence and a final training camp.

The Physics Challenge

This is intended for all GCSE students, or equivalent level students. There is one paper, which is taken in early March. Teachers receive the paper, plus full solutions and marking scheme, in January.

The scripts of students who excel in the competition are sent to the Olympiad Office for further scrutiny. Over 100 prizes are awarded and the highest scoring 15 students are invited to a Presentation ceremony at The Royal Society in April/May. There is no charge for entering this competition.

BPhO Secretariat

All enquiries concerning the BPhO competitions should be sent to:

Tel: 01227 823768

Fax: 01227 456084

e-mail: C.Isenberg@kent.ac.uk