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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Mathematical Physics
Heriot-Watt University
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Mathematical Physics course at Heriot-Watt University.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
B,B,B
including Mathematics and Physics for entry to Year 1. For entry to Year 2: ABB including Maths at A and Physics at B
Most popular A-levels studied
The Mathematical Physics course at Heriot-Watt University features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | D |
| Physics | D |
| Chemistry | C |
| Biology | C |
| Computer Science | C |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | A |
| Chemistry | D |
| Physics | C |
| Biology | C |
| Further Mathematics | C |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: G1PH
Here's what Heriot-Watt University says about its Mathematical Physics course.
Overview: The programme draws on the presence of the largest mathematical physics group in Scotland to deliver a programme that combines the core material of an excellent mathematics degree together with the precise mathematical language of 21st century mathematical physics. The skills acquired will be of great use to those wishing to carry on with postgraduate study in mathematical physics/pure mathematics/applied mathematics and will also be highly valued by employers interested in mathematicians with the ability to describe and solve real-world problems.
Year 1: The core mathematics material includes algebra, calculus, statistics and problem solving skills. The physics content includes mechanics, fields and forces, and waves and matter. Level 1 has been carefully designed to ease the transition from school to university.
Year 2: Level 2 consolidates and extends the material of level 1 in both pure and applied mathematics/mechanics and introduces the multivariable calculus and vector analysis that will form the mathematical language of the later mathematical physics content. Level 2 also introduces the key concepts of abstraction and formal proof.
Year 3: The core level 3 courses develop mathematical skills and knowledge and introduce the ideas used at the forefront of modern mathematics. Subjects include complex analysis, abstract algebra, applied mathematics, and ordinary differential equations. Electromagnetism is studied along with two mathematical physics options chosen from thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, quantum theory and solitons, Lie groups and Lie algebras, and fluid mechanics. These are courses that develop and use the tools of mathematical physics.
Year 4: Level 4 continues to build the solid mathematical background essential in modern mathematical physics, with courses in geometry, functional analysis, pure mathematics, and partial differential equations. The remaining two courses from the mathematical physics options thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, quantum theory and solitons, Lie groups and Lie algebras and fluid mechanics are followed, along with a course on special relativity that uses the set of mathematical tools developed in the rest of the programme. A mathematical physics project is carried out under the supervision of a member of our internationally-leading mathematical physics research group.
Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees
Source: Heriot-Watt University
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
Mathematics
Location
Edinburgh Campus | Edinburgh
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Mathematics
• Theoretical physics
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,790 per year |
| Scotland | £1,820 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 | £20,080 per year |
| International | £20,080 per year |
Heriot-Watt University student reviews
Showing 15 reviews
2nd year student
3 years ago
Pretty good Student Union, whether its giving out free stuff or helping you with something, theres always good people there.
2nd year student
3 years ago
Edinburghs got some decent clubs. Having lived here my whole life, its the kind of city you dont want to escape. Its beautiful, many work opportunities especially for students.
2nd year student
3 years ago
Financially the accomodation isnt worth it, the courses are free to Scottish students but for International students its terrible (this is the same for all Scottish Universities). Cost of living in Edinburgh can be high, but for the most part its okay.
2nd year student
3 years ago
Very supportive, if youre not feeling the best, have had certain bad circumstances arise they are very helpful in aiding you.
2nd year student
3 years ago
Over priced, bad quality, small. Its on the outskirts of Edinburgh and yet its cheaper to rent a flat closer to the middle.
2nd year student
3 years ago
The core lecturers of this course are good, although there is one or two I wish had been different on certain modules. The lectureres communicate well with students whenever they need it. The quality of teaching is also very good, and it is very easy to ask things if you dont understand.
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Heriot-Watt University
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Mathematical Physics course at Heriot-Watt University features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
89%
med
Teaching on my course
89%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
87%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
98%
high
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
78%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
93%
low
Learning opportunities
82%
low
Learning opportunities
82%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
78%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
74%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
85%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
80%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
93%
high
Assessment and feedback
87%
high
Assessment and feedback
87%
high
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
87%
high
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
98%
high
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
72%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
80%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
100%
high
Academic support
94%
med
Academic support
94%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
93%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
93%
med
Organisation and management
94%
high
Organisation and management
94%
high
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
100%
high
How well organised is your course?
87%
med
Learning resources
94%
med
Learning resources
94%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
93%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
85%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
100%
high
Student voice
85%
med
Student voice
85%
med
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?
93%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
80%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
76%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
86%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
86%
med
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
85%
med
Teaching on my course
85%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
91%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
87%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
72%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
med
Learning opportunities
86%
med
Learning opportunities
86%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
75%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
91%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
82%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
93%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
88%
high
Assessment and feedback
87%
high
Assessment and feedback
87%
high
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
85%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
93%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
76%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
92%
high
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
90%
high
Academic support
95%
med
Academic support
95%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
95%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
95%
high
Organisation and management
84%
med
Organisation and management
84%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
87%
med
How well organised is your course?
79%
med
Learning resources
95%
high
Learning resources
95%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
97%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
90%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
98%
high
Student voice
89%
high
Student voice
89%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
86%
high
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
95%
high
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
87%
high
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
72%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
91%
high
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
94%
high
Student information
The Mathematical Physics course at Heriot-Watt University features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Mathematical Physics course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about Heriot-Watt University graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
75%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
85%
In work, study or other activity
50%
Say it fits with future plans
70%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Natural and social science professionals
20%
Information Technology Professionals
10%
Business and public service associate professionals
5%
Caring personal services
Graduate statistics
70%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
95%
In work, study or other activity
85%
Say it fits with future plans
55%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
20%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
10%
Business and public service associate professionals
5%
Architecture and construction professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
The Mathematical Physics course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for Heriot-Watt University graduate earnings across each of those subject areas.
Earnings
£26.3k
First year after graduation
£29.6k
Third year after graduation
£33.2k
Fifth year after graduation
Earnings
£27.7k
First year after graduation
£33.2k
Third year after graduation
£46k
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 Mathematical 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
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Heriot-Watt University open days
Heriot-Watt’s open days offer you the opportunity to explore campus, tour teaching and recreational facilities, talk to academics, staff, and current students, and learn more about the programme you could go on to study.
If you can't make an open day, book a campus tour. These take place regularly and can be guided or self-guided.
Source: Heriot-Watt University
