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Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Physics course at Cardiff University.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,A
To include grade B in Maths and Physics. Applicants taking Maths without Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade A in Maths. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.
Most popular A-levels studied
See who's studying at Cardiff University. These students are taking Physics or another course from the same subject area.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | A |
| Physics | B |
| Chemistry | B |
| Further Mathematics | C |
| Biology | B |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: F303
Here's what Cardiff University says about its Physics course.
During this four-year course with an emphasis on research, you'll explore the fundamental laws underpinning the Universe from the subatomic level to entire galaxies.
You’ll explore how theoretical and experimental physics describes the Universe and gain an insight into how it shapes modern technologies – from the tiniest semiconductor chip to the most powerful laser.
As a budding physicist, you’ll learn with researchers working on some of the most exciting discoveries of our time, whether that's the detection of gravitational waves or breakthroughs in quantum technology.
We aim to provide a solid foundation in classical physics, mathematics and quantum mechanics and their relationship to technology, while emphasising the importance of modern physics concepts such as the space-time continuum and wave particle duality.
Although this course is designed to help you achieve your potential as an academic researcher, the problem-solving skills you'll develop are highly sought-after in a wide range of careers from data science, IT, education, finance and more.
Join us and become part of a welcoming, inclusive physics and astronomy community with a dynamic student society.
Distinctive features
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) Our course meets the high-quality standards in education set out by the IOP.
Top 10 Ranked 8th in the UK for physics (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
95% employment 95% of our graduates are employed, in further study, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2021/22).
Student satisfaction 1st for physics in the Russell Group for teaching on my course, learning opportunities, academic support, and assessment and feedback (National Student Survey (NSS) 2024).
Research-led teaching We're home to one of the largest UK communities of astronomers and condensed matter physicists.
Research focus Your final year will focus on research and include a major project with one of our leading research groups.
Source: Cardiff University
Course details
Qualification
Master of Physics - MPhys
Department
School of Physics and Astronomy
Location
Main Site - Cardiff | Cardiff
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Physics
Start date
28 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,790 per year |
| Scotland | £9,790 per year |
| Wales | £9,790 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,790 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,790 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,790 per year |
| EU | £30,700 per year |
| International | £30,700 per year |
Cardiff University student reviews
Showing 167 reviews
1st year student
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
1st year student
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
1st year student
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
1st year student
1 year ago
World class
1st year student
1 year ago
Up to date
1st year student
1 year ago
Challenging!
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Cardiff University
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from Cardiff University students who took the Physics course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
93%
high
Teaching on my course
93%
high
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
93%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
97%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
86%
high
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
97%
med
Learning opportunities
88%
med
Learning opportunities
88%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
96%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
95%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
84%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
89%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
76%
med
Assessment and feedback
85%
med
Assessment and feedback
85%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
82%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
96%
high
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
76%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
87%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
85%
med
Academic support
99%
high
Academic support
99%
high
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
100%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
97%
high
Organisation and management
87%
med
Organisation and management
87%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
89%
med
How well organised is your course?
84%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
Learning resources
89%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
88%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
97%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
82%
low
Student voice
91%
high
Student voice
91%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
80%
high
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
100%
high
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
94%
high
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
81%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
92%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
80%
med
Student information
See who's studying at Cardiff University. These students are taking Physics or another course from the same subject area.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Physics at Cardiff University.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Cardiff University graduates who took Physics - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£27.7k
First year after graduation
£32.1k
Third year after graduation
£38.3k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Physics.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Cardiff University on The Student Room.
Cardiff University open days
Undergraduate Open Day Dates:
- Friday 26 June 2026
- Saturday 27 June 2026
To find out more, visit https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/open-days-and-visits/undergraduate
Source: Cardiff University
