This four-year accredited programme has a student satisfaction rating of 93%.

Studying Physics gives you an understanding of the fundamental rules that govern the nature of matter in the universe, and the techniques of scientific problem-solving that underpin this knowledge. You’ll gain a deep understanding of core physics within a strong mathematical framework and there are many opportunities to pursue specialist options, making the Physics degree very flexible.

First year

In Year 1 you will take 40 credits of core physics modules covering relativity and classical mechanics, optics and waves, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermal physics. As physics is an experimental science, you also take 20 credits of laboratory work. You will be taught the necessary mathematics for physicists in a 20 credit module. Transferable skills such as problem solving, oral and written presentation, and career development are covered in a 10 credit Communication Skills module. Finally you can take a 20 credit optional module outside physics, and a 10 credit optional module within physics.

Second year (contributes 20% to overall degree mark)

In Year 2 you will take 50 credits of core physics modules developing the ideas from year 1 in greater depth, and introducing new topics such as nuclear and condensed matter physics. This material is supported by 20 credits of laboratory work, including an open-ended project in semester 2. The relevant mathematics is developed in a 20 credit module, whilst transferable skills are further enhanced in a 10 credit Communication Skills module. Finally you choose two 10 credit physics options in theoretical physics, astrophysics, optics, or electronics.

Third year (contributes 40% to overall degree marks)

In Year 3 there are a wide range of physics options for you to choose from, enabling you to tailor the degree to your interests, with only 50 credits being core. You will undertake a 20 credit group project working as a team with a group of staff to tackle topics such as designing a particle detector or medical imaging system, detecting extrasolar planets, or building a laser communication system. You also take 20 credits of advanced laboratory, of which 10 credits may be computational. Finally there is a 10 credit synoptic module to synthesise your knowledge across the whole discipline.

Fourth year (contributes 40% to overall degree mark) 

50 credits of the final MSci year is given over to a major research project, where you’ll work with an academic supervisor to tackle a problem of current research interest. Recent topics include astroseismology, gravitational waves, topological insulators, the Higgs boson, and Bose-Einstein condensates. The remaining 70 credits are taken up by a wide range of advanced options which you can tailor to your interests.

Year in Computer Science
Between your second and third year, you can choose to do a year’s study in Computer Science, ideal if you expect your final career to involve a significant amount of computing. 

Related links

• Undergraduate degree courses - Physics and Astronomy
• Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards - School of Physics and Astronomy
• School Booklet (pdf, 5.6 MB) 

How will I be taught?
As a Birmingham student, you are joining the academic elite and have the privilege of learning from world-leading experts in the field of physics and astronomy. Throughout your studies, you'll be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner, thriving on challenge and opportunities to think for yourself.

Personal tutor: The School has a comprehensive welfare system based around academic and personal tutors, and led by the Senior Tutor, who will see students at any time. Our tutors support you throughout your studies to help you in three important areas: supporting your academic progress, developing transferable skills and dealing with any welfare issues. You can also raise any issues related to your studies at the Staff Student Committee or, for the fastest response, the weekly meeting of Student Representatives.

Contact hours: In your first year, the course is delivered as lectures, small group workshops, laboratories, computer-based activities, enquiry-based learning and tutorials. Much of your learning will be carried out in small groups, including laboratory work, examples classes, and tutorials. There's a strong emphasis on project work throughout your degree, especially in your final year.

Laboratory-based work is an integral part of our Physics degree programme, vital to develop your experimental practical skills, and to reinforce concepts introduced in lectures or to explore a particular phenomenon. You will benefit from our recent £1 million investment into additional first-class physics-teaching laboratory facilities.

Lectures form the major source of information for most modules and are delivered in a variety of styles by enthusiastic staff, in our state-of-the-art lecture theatres.

Small group tutorials support your lectures in years one and two, consisting of groups of no more than four meeting once a week with an academic or researcher. By year three you'll be choosing from a wide range of options and specialisms, beyond the scope of a single tutor. Instead you can sign up for 'supervisions' - specialist tutorials given by a senior academic carrying out research into each specific area.  

Project work allows you to take part in our leadingresearch activity across the full breadth of the subject - from astrophysics to quantum matter and particle physics - in every year of your degree. It's an unprecedented chance to gain easy access to world experts and cutting-edge equipment in all the major branches of the subject.

Examples classes focus on working through problems issued by the lecturer and are usually run by a lecturer with the help of one or more graduate students. They're a chance to check your learning and reflect on particular examples.

Web-based learning is an essential part of the programme, with all our modules linked to iVLE - a virtual learning environment that gives you access to lecture notes, additional learning units, self-tests and supplementary interactive information to support your learning.

Feedback shows that, on average, 80% of the students on this course find work and/or further study after graduating, and those in work are, typically, earning £25,000 a year six months after graduation. Of those working, 80% are doing professional/managerial jobs.

Preparing for your career is one of the first things you need to think about when you start university. As a Physics graduate, you have great potential to gain an intellectually stimulating, well-paid and high-powered job. You could pursue a career in research in an academic or industrial environment, or you could work in product development for a high-tech company. You could also apply your analytical and computational skills through scientific consultancy. This is just the beginning, with many other careers open to you, including teaching, patent law, and mathematical finance.

Studying physics at Birmingham is much more than attending lectures. As you progress through your degree, we place a great emphasis on teaching you transferable skills: mathematical, computational, problem solving, group working, management and presentational. They will all contribute to making you more attractive to potential employers.

Alumni Brigid Jones (MSci Physics) talks about her time at Birmingham

Video transcript

Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network and the School's own career tutor can help you to secure research or industry placements and, eventually, your graduate job.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge. In addition, our employer-endorsed, award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Your Birmingham degree is evidence of your ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Employers target Birmingham students for their drive, diversity, communication and problem-solving skills, their team-working abilities and cultural awareness, and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Past Physics and Astronomy graduates have gone into a very wide range of challenging and rewarding careers in destinations which include:

• NASA
• NHS - Medical Physics
• Rolls-Royce
• EDF Energy
• BAE Systems
• Barclays Capital
• PriceWaterhouse Coopers
• Accenture - Technology Services

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Contact us

• Sophie Miller - Careers consultant (s.a.miller@bham.ac.uk)
• Richard Newman- Careers consultant (r.j.newman@bham.ac.uk)
• Caroline Egan - Careers adviser (c.egan@bham.ac.uk)
• Brendan Bacon - Internship officer (b.bacon@bham.ac.uk)
• Carl Jukes - Applications support adviser (c.jukes@bham.ac.uk)

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2010/11

The DLHE survey is conducted 6 months after graduation.

Range of Occupations for Birmingham's Physics and Astronomy Graduates

• Accountant
• Consultant
• Nuclear Physicist
• Postdoctoral Researcher
• Radiotherapy Physicist
• Research Scientist
• Teacher
• Trainee Clinical Scientist
• Trainee Medical Physicist
• Trainee Patent Attorney

Range of Courses of Further Study for Birmingham's Physics and Astronomy Graduates

• MSc Intelligent Systems Engineering
• MSc Medical and Radiation Physics
• MSc Medical Physics
• MSc Nuclear Physics
• MSc Photonics and Optoelectric Devices
• MSc Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors
• PGCE Secondary Science - Physics
• PhD Astrophysics
• PhD Nanophysics
• PhD Nuclear Physics

Visit the Careers section of the University website for further information.