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BSc (Hons)

Physics

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

F300

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation Entry

The laws of physics govern everything in our universe. From subatomic building blocks of matter to galaxies spanning light-years. Discover it all on our BSc Physics degree.

From theories of relativity to quantum mechanics. From nanophysics to lasers. Our Physics BSc (Hons) programme covers it all. This is your chance to develop an in-depth knowledge of the laws of physics and how they apply to real-life situations.

Study a range of physics modules, covering topics like electromagnetism, mechanics and relativity. Build your knowledge, improve your mathematical skills and gain laboratory experience. The course also offers the opportunity to spend a sandwich year working in industry or studying abroad. This experience will add career-boosting experience to your CV.

Along the way, you’ll become a seasoned problem-solver, able to tackle challenges with creative thinking. It's this ability, together with the practical skills that come with planning experiments and processing, analysing and interpreting data, that make Physics graduates so sought after. Opening up a wide range of career possibilities to you. After three years you can opt to complete a fourth year to gain an MPhys.We strongly recommend the MPhys qualification if you are planning a career in scientific research.

Why study with us

1st
in the UK for academic support
National Student Survey (Physics and Astronomy) (compared with unis in the Guardian University Guide)
2023
6th
in the UK for overall positivity
National Student Survey (Physics and Astronomy) (compared with unis in the Guardian University Guide)
2023
2nd
in the North West for student satisfaction
Complete University Guide (Physics and Astronomy)
2024

You’ll explore concepts spanning basic theory to discoveries at the forefront of the field, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence to be a part of future advances and innovations.
We have recently invested in our teaching laboratories. Providing a cutting-edge learning environment using equipment to develop your skills ready for industry.
Our courses are delivered through engaging lectures, problem-solving tutorials and hands-on laboratory sessions. And our small class sizes means you'll receive lots of support right from the start.

Interested?

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Physics BSc students investigating the wave-like nature of particles

About our Physics degree

This course begins with the same modules as our Physics with Astrophysics and Astrophysics courses. This means you can switch courses at the end of your first year.
If you progress well on our BSc Physics course, you can step up to our MPhys route at the end of your second year.
With a range of optional BSc physics modules, you can steer your studies toward your interests. In areas like Hamiltonian Mechanics or Solar Physics.

Module overview

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Year 1

Compulsory modules

AA1004: Astrophysics I
AP1043: Electromagnetic Radiation and Quantum Theory
AP1802: Fundamentals of Physics
AP1861: Applied and Computational Physics
MA1831: Functions, Vectors and Calculus

AA1004: Astrophysics I

This module is an introduction to observational and theoretical astronomy. It will introduce you to the essential concepts, observational techniques, and physical foundations of modern astrophysics.

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Year 2

Compulsory modules

AP2802: Principles of Physics
AP2812: Properties of Matter
AP2861: Second Year Laboratory
MA2831: Ordinary Differential Equations

Optional modules

AP2857: Measurement, Instrumentation, LabVIEW and Interfacing
MA2841: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Mechanics

AP2802: Principles of Physics

Develop your knowledge of the core theoretical and mathematical concepts of modern physics. Gain an understanding of waves and vibrations, electromagnetism and build towards a full description of Maxwell’s Equations. Study the fundamentals of special relativity and quantum mechanics.

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Year 3

Compulsory modules

AP3840: Condensed Matter and Surface Physics
AP3861: Third Year Laboratory
AP3950: Physics/Astronomy Project

Optional modules

AP3842: Nuclear and Particle Physics
AP3844: Atomic Physics and Advanced Quantum Mechanics
AP3845: Electrodynamics, Plasma and Solar Physics
MA3831: Partial Differential Equations and Integral Transforms
MA3881: UAS Teaching Placement

AP3840: Condensed Matter and Surface Physics

This module will introduce you to the fascinating worlds of condensed matter and surface physics which are the foundations of most modern technologies. In condensed matter you will explore the formation of solids, their electronic band structures, and magnetic behaviour, and you will learn about the tools of surface physics. As the surface is mostly all we see of anything, this area of physics is of huge significance.

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Visit us this autumn

Discover our facilities, explore campus and talk to academic staff and students about the courses you want to study at one of our autumn Open Days.

Book an Open Day

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Accreditations

This course is accredited by the IOP, the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. On completion of this course graduates can progress towards Chartered Physicist (Phys) status.

What can I do with a Physics degree?

A Physics BSc degree can pave the way for careers in research, technology, finance and more. You'll gain the analytical skills and mathematical knowledge that are in high demand across a range of industries.

BSc Physics graduates are among the most employable in the world. They are in particularly high demand across various technical and business sectors. Our graduates are working for scientific institutes, overseas laboratories, financial institutions, education and scientific journalism.

If you’re aiming for a career in scientific research, our four-year MPhys qualification offers an excellent route. It provides a greater depth of study and has a focus on research. As the first two years are the same as the BSc Physics course, you can enrol on the MPhys course first and then decide which path to take after your second year.

There is also a range of other postgraduate study options you could pursue. Covering a range of topics in physics and engineering and many graduates choose to train in teaching (PGCE).

The course comes with the chance to take a 48-week sandwich placement between your second and third years. You could choose to go abroad for a year, studying with one of our partner institutions. Or work on a project within a collaborating research group, in locations such as Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa, or with NASA in the USA. Alternatively, you can arrange a placement in industry, gaining the kind of practical skills and experience that offer a competitive advantage in a busy jobs market.

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It was wonderful to have the opportunity to travel to America. During my visit to NASA Goddard I interviewed astronaut Piers Sellers and Nobel physics laureate John Mather.

Jasmin Evans

BSc (Hons) Physics graduate
United Kingdom

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,385 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,500 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£16,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Care Leaver Bursary
Our Care Leaver Bursary is for students who need extra support because they have been in care or are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Care Leaver Bursary
Estranged student support
Estranged Student Support Bursary is for students who need extra support because they are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Estranged student support
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Contextualised Admissions Bursary
We recognise that the last two years have been very challenging for young people and learning has been impacted. To help support students eligible for a contextualised offer we are offering a bursary of £250 in their first year of study.
Find out more about Contextualised Admissions Bursary

You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, tutorials and seminars. Alongside practical sessions like problem classes, laboratory work, observatory experiments and group work. To assess your progress, we’ll use written examinations, problem sheets, logbooks, scientific reports and presentations.

Just as we have great facilities, we also have great people. Our staff are all members of the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute. They're active researchers working at the cutting edge of their fields. And, because we keep class sizes small, we make sure you get the maximum individual attention possible.

We’ve invested in creating the best possible learning environment for you. From investments in nanophysics equipment, refurbished laboratories, as well as the Alston Observatory. So we have everything you need to explore nanophysics, nuclear physics, mechanics, optics, quantum physics, laser physics, spectroscopy and astrophysics and more.

Interested?

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This course is based in the School of Engineering and Computing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Physics

Why study with us

Physics degree gallery01 / 04

About our Physics degree

Module overview

Year 1

AA1004: Astrophysics I

Course delivery

Visit us this autumn

Reaching for the sky

Physics course facilities

Accreditations

What can I do with a Physics degree?

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Care Leaver Bursary

Estranged student support

Dependants Bursary

Contextualised Admissions Bursary

Learning and assessment