Undergraduate degree courses

As a Physics student at the University of Birmingham, you can investigate some of the biggest questions imaginable in an inspirational setting. You will join a community of staff and students, who work together to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment for all, recognised by our IOP Juno Champion Status and Athena Swan Silver Award.

4th

in the UK for Physics & Astronomy - Complete University Guide 2024.

5th

in the UK. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Joint honours degrees

The Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics (TPAM) courses are joint honours degrees between the School of Physics and Astronomy and the School of Mathematics.

Foundation year

For those students who do not have Mathematics A Level or equivalent but are interested in studying Physics we provide a preliminary (year 0) physical sciences foundation year. Successful completion of this course allows automatic progression to our Physics undergraduate degree without the need to reapply.

Please pay careful attention to the entry requirements for this course and contact the admissions tutor to discuss your qualifications. Note non UK students must apply to foundation year through the Birmingham International Academy Foundation Pathways

"The MSci Physics course really caught my attention when applying due to the quality of teaching which shone through at the Open Days. The best points of my course are learning from the excellent lecturers and using the best equipment in labs while constantly having my mind stretched and challenged by other students who love the subject as much as me. Physics is special because it’s so broad yet you can specialise in whatever you want. The course here is unbelievably personal which, combined with the expert staff in every possible field, means physics at Birmingham is a unique and extremely rewarding experience."

Alex, Physics MSci

Read more about our students' experiences

Alex, Physics Student

Please feel free to contact the admissions team at any point during your decision making and application process.  We are more than happy to help you find your ideal course or clarify the application procedure. You can choose between BSc (3 year) and MSci (4 year) degrees in Physics and a range of associated specialisms including Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology, and Theoretical Physics, as well as a joint honours course in Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics

You will have a great deal of flexibility between courses and will be able to swap between the single honours options in the early stages of your studies. Many courses are also available with an international year or an intercalated year in computer science.  Whichever course you choose you will develop a wide range of skills, both those applicable throughout the development of a career as a physicist and those transferable to other career areas.

Our degree programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics. The summary reads: This is a major and important physics department residing in one of the UK's premier universities. It is highly organised, well-run and benefits from a dedicated set of academic staff. Physics is presented through well-planned degree programmes, supported by a range of excellent facilities.