Physics
University of Southampton
Physics
Course Summary
The three-year BSc Physics degree will provide you with a robust education in modern physics. You will learn the core tools of relativity, quantum mechanics and electromagnetism, and how these theories can describe the universe precisely – from galaxies to subatomic particles.
Our physics degrees are designed to offer flexibility and choice. You’ll be able to choose optional modules in each year of study to pursue your interests. And there’s flexibility to move between the BSc and MPhys degrees up until the end of the second year.
You’ll have access to exceptional research-grade facilities, including a rooftop observatory and specialist photonics labs.
Your degree will open the door to a wide range of careers, with recent graduates employed in roles ranging from physicists and engineers, to actuaries and statisticians, scientific journalists and medical researchers. Physics at Southampton is ranked 3rd in the UK for graduate career prospects in the Guardian University Guide 2022.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Course Details - Modules
All our degrees are based on a core physics curriculum. Key areas of study include classical mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity, the quantum world of atomic, nuclear and particle physics, quantum physics of materials, wave physics, and light as an electromagnetic wave. The flexible course structure allows you to follow your interests by choosing around a quarter of your modules from a range of options. You can choose to study modules within physics, or from the wider University, such as law, management or languages. Find out more about optional modules: http://www.phys.soton.ac.uk/programmes/f300-bsc-physics-3-yrs#modules
Throughout your degree, you’ll also develop key transferable skills such as problem solving, data analysis and computing, which are sought after by a range employers. During year two, you’ll also have access to a programme of physics-focused career sessions, timetabled to fit in with your studies, which include application and interview workshops as well as talks from visiting professionals.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment in the first and second year is a mixture of unseen written examinations, marked problem-based coursework and laboratory work. For the BSc programme, in the third year assessment is mainly by examination; laboratory work is replaced by a project which involves continuous assessment, written reports and an oral examination.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Physics, Institute of
How to Apply
26 January 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: S27
Campus Name: Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Typical Offer: AAB-ABB including grades AA-AB in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
or
ABBC including grades AB in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
ABB including grades AB in mathematics/further mathematics and physics (in any order), with a pass in the physics Practical, plus grade A in the EPQ
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
ABB including grades AB in mathematics/further mathematics and physics (in any order), with a pass in the physics Practical
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
to
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AB in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without additional A-levels
We do not accept the BTEC Diploma without additional A-levels
Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma or the BTEC Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
ABB including grades AB in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical and grade A in the EPQ
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 6 points at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and 6 points at Higher Level in Physics
or
Pass, with 32 points overall, with 16 points required at Higher Level, including 6 and 5 points at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and in Physics
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 - H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 including mathematics and physics (one of which must be at H1)
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
to
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AB in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma without additional A-levels
We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma without additional A-levels
Applicants with a BTEC National Extended Diploma or the BTEC National Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
AAB-ABB including grades AA-AB in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the Physics practical
or
AA-AB from two A-levels including mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the Physics practical, and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
or
AABC including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
or
AA from two A-levels including mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical and grades BC from a third A-level and the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including mathematics/further mathematics at D3 and physics at D3 to D3 M2 M2 in three Principal subjects including mathematics/further mathematics and physics (one of which must be at D2)
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of A Level grade B.
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.phys.soton.ac.uk/programmes/f300-bsc-physics-3-yrs
Minimum Qualification Requirements
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | AdditionalDetails |
|---|
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Unistats information
Student satisfaction : 72%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 60%
Go onto work and study: 85%
Fees and funding
| Republic of Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| EU | 22760.0 | Year 1 |
| International | 22760.0 | Year 1 |
| England | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Wales | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
Additional Fee Information
Please note that the Fees shown are those charged for entry in September 2021. Fees for entry in September 2022 will be available at the end of August 2021. Please see our website for further details and updates : www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Provider information
Highfield
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ