An accredited degree that offers maximum flexibility. The BSc in Physics can be used as the first step towards a career as a physicist or take you directly into a role in industry.
Durham is one of the leading physics and astronomy departments in the UK. When you choose the BSc in Physics, you’ll be joining a dynamic and focused learning community that is home to multiple research institutes, world-class facilities, and experts with close links to industry. Current developments in both research and industry are used to bring theoretical learning to life, a factor which contributes to our consistently high ranking in university league tables.
Undergraduate physics degrees at Durham offer a high level of flexibility. We offer four Institute of Physics accredited courses – the BSc in Physics and MPhys qualifications in Physics, Physics and Astronomy, and Theoretical Physics – which follow the same core curriculum in Year 1.
Subject to the optional modules chosen, it is possible to switch to one of the other courses until the end of the second year. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
The rigorous curriculum has been designed to develop skills in reasoning, problem-solving and data analysis as well as advancing your understanding of mathematics and IT. The BSc in Physics is the first step towards achieving Chartered Physicist status, however many graduates move straight into employment in a wide range of industries from energy and IT to engineering and scientific research.
The first year lays the foundation in physics theory, mathematical skills and laboratory skills that you will need to tackle more complex content later in the course. From Year 2 you'll have the opportunity to explore areas such as astrophysics, quantum theory and the relationship between physics and society in more detail.
In Year 3 you can apply your learning to a range of real-world issues with project work, student-led laboratory work and optional modules tailored to your interests and aspirations.
Course structure
Year 1 modules
Core modules:
Foundations of Physics
introduces classical aspects of wave phenomena and electromagnetism, as well as basic concepts in Newtonian mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity and optical physics.
Discovery Skills in Physics
provides a practical introduction to laboratory skills development with particular emphasis on measurement uncertainty, data analysis, and written and oral communication skills. It also includes an introduction to programming.
Optional modules:
Single Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Calculus.
Please note: it is compulsory to study two Maths modules (as background mathematical knowledge for the Foundations module).
Year 2 modules
Core modules:
Foundations of Physics A
develops your knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. You will learn to apply the principles of physics to predictable and unpredictable problems and produce a well-structured solution, with clear reasoning and appropriate presentation.
Foundations of Physics B
develops your knowledge of thermodynamics, condensed matter physics and optics.
Mathematical Methods in Physics
provides the necessary mathematical knowledge to successfully tackle the Foundations of Physics modules. It covers vectors, vector integral and vector differential calculus, multivariable calculus and orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, Fourier analysis, orthogonal functions, the use of matrices, and the mathematical tools for solving ordinary and partial differential equations occurring in a variety of physical problems.
Laboratory Skills and Electronics
builds lab-based skills, such as experiment planning, data analysis, scientific communication and specific practical skills. It aims to teach electronics as a theoretical and a practical subject, to teach the techniques of computational physics and numerical methods and to provide experience of a research-led investigation in physics in preparation for post-university life.
Optional modules:
Stars and Galaxies
Theoretical Physics
Physics in Society.
Year 3 modules
Core modules:
Foundations of Physics A
further develops your knowledge of quantum mechanics and nuclear and particle physics. You will learn to apply the principles of physics to the solution of complex problems and produce a well-structured solution, with clear reasoning and appropriate presentation.
Foundations of Physics B
extends your knowledge to include statistical physics and condensed matter physics.
Computing Project
in which you solve advanced computational physics problems using a variety of modern computing techniques and present your findings in a project report, poster and oral presentation.
BSc Project
an independent research-led study of a topic chosen from a broad list. You will present the results as a 5,000-word report and an oral presentation.
Optional modules:
Team Project
Advanced Laboratory
Mathematics Workshop
Physics into Schools
Planets and Cosmology
Theoretical Physics
Physics in Society
Condensed Matter Physics
Modern Atomic and Optical Physics.
Additional Pathways
Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway during the second year. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four.
Accreditation
Not only will a physics degree advance your knowledge of theoretical concepts, experimental methods and technology, it also develops a wide range of in-demand skills such as problem-solving, communication skills, group work, data interpretation, experimental design and project work. This blend of academic and practical skills will provide you with an excellent all-round base for careers in the field of physics and beyond.
Our graduates have progressed to careers in business, industry, commerce, research, management and education, while many go on to study for higher degrees.
Take a look at some of the roles taken up by recent graduates from the course:
IT Developer at P&G
Senior Associate at Lloyds
Research Specialist at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Lab
Graduate Product Manager at Intuitive Systems
Second Lieutenant Royal Marines in the Royal Navy
Actuarial Analyst at Deloitte
Business Development Manager at a micropropagation services company
Lectures are the starting point of the learning process. You will actively engage with the topics introduced in lectures through a combination of laboratory classes, problem exercises, tutorials and workshops.
Laboratory classes give you the chance to plan experiments and to interpret data. You will also be set regular problem exercises which develop your theoretical understanding and problem-solving abilities; these exercises form the basis for discussions in small-group tutorials.
Assessment
Assessment is mainly by end-of-year examinations and by project reports and presentations.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the course content, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world scenarios.
Entry requirements
A level offer – A*A*A
Contextual offer – A*AB
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical
Extended Diploma – D*D*D
and A levels as above.
IB Diploma score – 38
with 776 in higher level subjects, including 77 in Mathematics (maths analysis & approaches) and in Physics.
In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements and the degree-specific entry requirements, please note:
We also consider other level 3 qualifications, including T-levels.
Science A levels: Applicants taking Science A levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This applies only to applicants sitting A levels with an English examination board.
We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
Entry requirements are the same for all four Physics degrees and transfer from the BSc degree to the MPhys degree is possible and is based upon first and second-year examinations.
We may request further information such as UMS marks and/or predicted grades if this information is not available on the UCAS application. This is to ensure that we have an equal amount of information for all applicants. If for some reason this cannot be supplied, the candidate’s application will not be disadvantaged.
If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take an International Foundation Year pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.
The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.
Full-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study. The fee listed above is for the first year of the course only; fees for subsequent years will be confirmed not less than 3 months before the start of the academic year to which the increase is intended to apply and will be published on the Finance webpages.
In deciding the annual level of increase, the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of:
6%, or
the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.
Part-Time Study
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of part-time study and are charged proportionately to the Full-Time fee. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
We seek to develop the practical and intellectual skills sought by employers and we are regularly ranked among the country's top performers for graduate employment. Our graduates have progressed to careers in business, industry, commerce, research, management and education, and typically more than a fifth of our graduates go on to study for higher degrees.
The Department also has an impressive track record of spin-out technology companies that commercialise our knowledge in areas of semiconductors, composites and advanced instrumentation. Examples of high-profile employers include BT, Procter & Gamble, Rolls Royce and BAE Systems.
Of those students who graduated in 2020-21:
91%
in work or further study.
Of those in employment:
98%
in highly or medium skilled employment.
£35,000
is the average salary.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk)
Department information
Physics
With recent ground-breaking discoveries in astronomy, the Universe, subatomic particles and nuclear fusion there’s never been a better time to study physics. Join one of the UK’s leading teaching and research departments and become a part of this exciting discipline.
When you study physics at Durham you will work with experts across a range of specialisms to explore subjects such as the Big Bang, black holes, the Higgs boson, high-temperature superconductors, lasers, cold-atom Bose-Einstein condensates, biophysics and more.
Our undergraduate physics degrees offer outstanding teaching, learning and employability outcomes for students. We offer four Institute of Physics accredited BSc and MPhys qualifications which share a common first year. Course content ranges from fundamental topics, such as elementary particle physics and cosmology, to applied areas which include material physics and biophysics.
All courses allow you to select a number of modules tailored to your interests and career aspirations, and the course structures have been designed to provide flexibility in your final choice of degree. This means, depending on modules chosen, you need not make a firm decision about your course until the end of the second year. You also have the option to apply for a year-long work placement or study abroad opportunity with one of our partner organisations.
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