These are the degrees we offer with their UCAS codes followed by our typical requirements for entry. By following the links you can get more detail on the contents and structure of each degree and also find the actual syllabus of each course module.

Before following any of these links we recommend that you read the sections below about the difference between BSc and MPhys degrees and about the basic structure of our degrees. You can also read our answers to questions we are frequently asked about our courses.

The degrees we offer

Entry requirements for our degrees

A/AS Levels: Two or more A levels will be considered. Must include Pure Mathematics or Mathematics with Statistics and Physics or Physical Science. Applicants with AS level Physics or Mathematics will be considered. Two AS levels are welcomed in place of an A level. General Studies may be accepted.

GCSE: No specific requirements-but a modern language is preferred if you wish to spend a year in Europe as part of an MPhys.

Other Qualifications: International or European Baccalaureate, OU, BTEC and overseas qualifications are welcomed. Mature students are welcomed: alternative qualifications e.g. Access courses will be considered. Direct entry into second year with suitable advanced qualifications is possible .

Our three year BSc degrees offer an excellent route to a career in industry, commerce, teaching or general science and technology applications. The course structure is such that a BSc degree may specialise on physics and its applications or broadened to contain such subjects as management and languagesAll our degrees contain a sufficiently large and comprensive core of fundamental physics and mathematics that they are truly 'degrees in physics'.

Our four year MPhys degrees are more advanced and are aimed especially at those who intend to become professional physicists by entering industrial, government or academic research either in this country or abroad. We do not offer an MPhys in Physics with Medical Physics because, at present, the route to a career as a professional Medical Physicist is via a one year postgraduate MSc in Medical Physics after graduation with a BSc in Physics with Medical Physics.

Our MPhys degrees are largely the same as the BSc for the first two years and it is possible to change from a three year course to a four year course during the first three semesters (approximately half-way through the second year of the course). Students may transfer from the MPhys to the BSc at any time up to the start of the third year. This flexibility allows a 'wait and see' approach to deciding whether MPhys or BSc is the right one for you.

All our degrees share a common core of basic, essential physics which is required to be able to understand and appreciate the more specialised material in the option courses. It is the choice of option courses which adds 'flavour' to the degrees and make the difference between, for example, Physics with Astrophysics and Physics with Space Science and Technology.

Although, in each year, there are lists of options which are essentially 'aimed' at each of our degrees you will be able to choose your options from any of the lists so you can construct the degree you want, containing topics you find interesting. If you decide you want to continue your education beyond a first degree, to a PhD, you will be able to select options in your final years which will give you a 'flying start' in your chosen PhD field of study.

Follow the links to the individual degrees to learn about their contents including workshops, problem-solving classes, laboratories etc.

Question: Do I have to be good at maths to do one of your degrees?

Answer: Our degrees are physics degrees, training physicists, not mathematicians however we cannot deny that physics is a subject for which you should be 'comfortable' with maths. If you really feel you will never get on with maths then physics is probably not for you! On the other hand if you are not put off by maths, we can give you lots of help in understanding the maths you have done already and introducing you to new mathematical techniques you will find useful for your physics.

Question: I've not done much computing-will this make it hard for me?

Answer: No, we find our students come with a very wide range of exposure to computing and Information Technology but they all settle down to the teaching we provide in these topics. If you have used computers, have modest keyboard skills, done a bit of word processing etc. you will have acquired the sort of experience which will give you a good start in scientific computing in this Department. We like people who are not afraid of computers!

Question: I've done no computer programming-is that a problem?

Answer: No, we will supply all the teaching and practice you will need to master the scientific computer programming you will need for you degree studies. Those students who have done some programming, whatever the programming language, will appreciate what we will teach you just a little quicker!

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