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Physics

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B

AAB including Physics and Mathematics. Excludes A Level General Studies and Critical Thinking. Where an A Level science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A Level at the stated grade.

Access to HE Diploma

D:30,P:15

Overall pass of the Access to HE, with 45 credits at level 3. Of these 45 credits, 30 level 3 credits must be in Physics and Mathematics and must be passed with Distinction.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,M1,M2

D3, M1, M2 including Physics and Mathematics

GCSE/National 4/National 5

C in English Language, or an equivalent English language qualification.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

35

35 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level to include 5 in Higher Level Physics and 5 in Higher Level Mathematics.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H3,H3,H3

H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 including H2 in both Physics and Mathematics.

BTEC qualifications in relevant disciplines are considered in combination with A Level Physics and Mathematics. Applicants should contact the School to discuss.

Scottish Advanced Higher

A,B

AB at Advanced Higher in Physics and Mathematics with AABBB at Higher.

UCAS Tariff

104-136

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Full-time with time abroad | 2024

4 years | Full-time with year in industry | 2024

Subject

Physics

Physics is the most fundamental of all sciences, delving into the way the world around us works to provide technological advances and innovations for centuries.

From developing cancer treatments and artificial intelligence to answering the foundational questions of the universe, physics and physicists have had a significant impact across a variety of different industries – which is why it’s still such a sought-after and relevant discipline today.

Studying a physics degree at Leeds will give you the opportunity to delve into the fundamental laws of nature and participate in research alongside expert academics and researchers at the forefront of the field.

You’ll have access to excellent facilities including laboratories and teaching spaces right here on campus in the Sir William Henry Bragg Building. Experimental physics is an essential part of our teaching. It provides you with the opportunity to develop your verbal and written communication skills through performing experiments individually, and as part of a group. You’ll have the chance to collaborate with our physicists on current research projects.

At Leeds, we recognise the vital role physics plays in industry and, as such, our degree courses are designed to reflect the latest advancements and applications of the subject. This course will provide you with the specialist knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to launch a successful career across a wide range of sectors.

**Why study at Leeds:**
- This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP).

- Our School’s globally-renowned research feeds into the course, shaping what you learn with the latest thinking.

- Learn from expert academics and researchers who specialise in a variety of physics disciplines.

- Access specialist facilities including laboratories and teaching spaces right here on campus.

- Our comprehensive approach to teaching and assessment will give you a holistic understanding of how physics, mathematics, computing and experimental learning link together to qualify you as a physicist.

- Get hands-on and put theory into practice through exciting project work.

- Broaden your experience before you graduate and enhance your career prospects with our study abroad programmes and industrial work placement opportunities.

- At the end of your second year, there is the possibility of transferring to the four-year integrated Masters (MPhys, BSc) course.

- Make the most of your time at Leeds by joining our student society Physics Society (Physoc), a student-run society for physics students. It’ll give you the chance to meet like-minded students who share your passion for physics and enjoy a range of activities including guest lectures, trips and frequent socials.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Leeds

Department:

School of Physics and Astronomy

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

71%
Physics

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Physics

Teaching and learning

66%
Staff make the subject interesting
82%
Staff are good at explaining things
76%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
71%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

65%
Library resources
83%
IT resources
80%
Course specific equipment and facilities
62%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

92%
UK students
8%
International students
71%
Male students
29%
Female students
88%
2:1 or above
16%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
B

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Physics

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£25,000
med
Average annual salary
97%
high
Employed or in further education
78%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

17%
Business, finance and related associate professionals
17%
Information technology and telecommunications professionals
15%
Business, research and administrative professionals

Although the subject has seen a bit of resurgence in recent years, the UK is still felt to be short of physics graduates, and in particular physicists training as teachers. If you want a career in physics research — in all sorts of areas, from atmospheric physics to lasers - you'll probably need to take a doctorate, and so have a think about where you would like to do that and how you might fund it (the government funds many physics doctorates, so you might not find it as hard as you think). With that in mind, it's not surprising that just over a fifth of physics graduates go on to take doctorates when they finish their degree, and well over a third of physicists take some kind of postgraduate study in total. Physics is highly regarded and surprisingly versatile, which is why physics graduates who decide not to stay in education are more likely to go into well-paid jobs in the finance industry than they are to go into science. The demand and versatility of physics degrees goes to explain why they're amongst the best-paid science graduates.

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Physics

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£25k

£25k

£33k

£33k

£31k

£31k

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.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Nottingham | Nottingham
Physics with a Year in Industry
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 152-159
Lower entry requirements
University of York | York
Theoretical Physics (with a year abroad)
BSc (Hons) 4 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 54-136
Same University
University of Leeds | Leeds
Physics with Astrophysics
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-136

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here