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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Computational Physics
University of Edinburgh
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Computational Physics course at University of Edinburgh.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,A
AAA - ABB. These grades should be achieved in one set of exams. Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at A; Physics at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Scotland | £1,820 per year (provisional) |
| Wales | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year (provisional) |
| EU | £38,900 per year |
| International | £38,900 per year |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: F343
Here's what University of Edinburgh says about its Computational Physics course.
The close relationship between physics and high performance computing worldwide is embodied in the Computational Physics degree programme.
Most theoretical problems are now sufficiently complex that they cannot be solved by mathematics alone.
As experimentation becomes more difficult and expensive, computer simulation has become the most practical way to understand complex phenomena such as:
-
turbulence
-
nuclear reactors and weapons
-
climate change
These are the areas where computational physicists already dominate. In the future, based on current recruitment patterns, the methods of Computational Physics will also come to dominate other areas such as:
-
financial markets
-
genomics
-
disease control
This physics-based programme is for students interested in computing, modelling and simulation. You will study:
-
programming
-
algorithms
-
problem-solving methodologies
You will receive a thorough education in physics and the associated mathematics, together with the ability to write computer programs to simulate natural systems.
Programme benefits
-
The School of Physics and Astronomy has close links with the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, one of the UK's major centres of astronomical research.
-
The Institute for Astronomy (IfA), one of the School's research institutes, is based at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh.
-
You will be taught by academic staff with links to major research facilities across the world, including CERN, TRIUMF, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and a number of principal astronomy facilities.
-
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP).
Source: University of Edinburgh
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
School of Physics and Astronomy
Location
Central area campus | Edinburgh
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Computational physics
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Edinburgh reviews
Showing 108 reviews
1st year student
I love our student union, I think it is a great space and a good bar, however the student union club could do with a bit of work, making it more accessible and having a range of music. The drinks are a good price, and food deals are welcomed!
1 year ago
1st year student
Campus is sociable and vibrant during the day and in the evening. There is lots to do throughout the week, but I do feel that this dies down quickly. I think overall it is very good, but that there could be better communication in showing students what is out there. rn
1 year ago
1st year student
I haven't been made aware of financial support offered, but I know there is it out there, so potentially it could be advertised more. I would say that the university is adding to rising prices of 1st year student accommodation- not helping living in a city where renting student flats is already very...
1 year ago
1st year student
I have had good communication with my student advisor, and have no complaints. However, I feel I have not needed to communicate lots with academic support, so maybe I am not the best representative. The same goes for welfare services.
1 year ago
1st year student
These are great! The main library could be slightly larger or have more seating areas, just as it is often difficult to find a seat. But I love all the other libraries available, and the fact that our main one is 24/7.
1 year ago
1st year student
I personally enjoy my course, but feel as if first year has been very broad. I understand all things need to be covered, but potentially there could be an evaluation of things everyone has learnt across Higher Scottish exams, A-level and international qualifications, to limit going over unnecessary ...
1 year ago
National Student Survey (NSS) scores
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 University of Edinburgh students who took the Computational Physics course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
82%
low
Teaching on my course
82%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
82%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
84%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
70%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
91%
low
Learning opportunities
78%
low
Learning opportunities
78%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
87%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
80%
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?
78%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
62%
low
Assessment and feedback
57%
low
Assessment and feedback
57%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
55%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
74%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
48%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
53%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
57%
low
Academic support
84%
low
Academic support
84%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
92%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
78%
low
Organisation and management
72%
low
Organisation and management
72%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
78%
med
How well organised is your course?
69%
low
Learning resources
90%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
90%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
88%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
90%
med
Student voice
62%
low
Student voice
62%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
47%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
82%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
57%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
48%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
75%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
75%
low
Student information
See who's studying at University of Edinburgh. These students are taking Computational Physics or another course from the same subject area.
| Most popular A-levels studied | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Grade | |||||
| Mathematics | A* | |||||
| Physics | A | |||||
| Computer Science | A | |||||
| Chemistry | A | |||||
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Computational Physics at University of Edinburgh.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Edinburgh graduates who took Computational Physics - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£29.6k
First year after graduation
£41.2k
Third year after graduation
£38k
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 Computational 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 University of Edinburgh on The Student Room.
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