Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
Personal statement examples
A-level choices
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
Clearing 2026: four things you might not know about Clearing and results day
Clearing and results day 2026: prepare your back-up plan
Finding a university place in Ucas Clearing: 10 top tips to help you get ready
Clearing 2026: how to call universities
A guide to Ucas Clearing 2026: how to find your university place
How Ucas Hub works on results day 2025
A-level results day 2026: what to expect
Btec results day 2026: what to expect
Master in Physics (with Honours) - MPhys (Hons)
Physics with a Foundation Year
University of Sheffield
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Physics with a Foundation Year course at University of Sheffield.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
B,B,B
including Maths and/or Physics + pass in the practical element of any science A Levels taken
Most popular A-levels studied
See who's studying at University of Sheffield. These students are taking Physics with a Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Physics | B |
| Mathematics | A |
| Chemistry | B |
| Further Mathematics | A |
| Computer Science | B |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: F309
Here's what University of Sheffield says about its Physics with a Foundation Year course.
Gain the scientific background needed for a physics degree with our foundation year course. Study the laws that shape the Universe and gain the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to progress onto our MPhys degree courses.
This MPhys Physics with a Foundation Year course will give you the skills and knowledge you’ll need for a successful career.
If you don't have the usual scientific or mathematical background for a physics degree, then our five-year MPhys Physics with a Foundation Year course is exactly the place to begin. Successful completion of your foundation year, with an average mark of 60 or above, guarantees you entry onto our MPhys physics degrees.
The foundation year explores a broad spectrum of modules in chemistry, physics and mathematics. In addition to this, you’ll develop practical skills, learning how to implement a range of measurement techniques, use appropriate graphing and statistical techniques, and draw valid conclusions. You’ll also gain experience of organising your time, working in a group, and communicating information verbally and in writing.
After transitioning from the foundation year to one of our accredited physics degrees, you’ll explore the extraordinary scale of the field of physics through a range of in-depth modules. You’ll gain hands-on experience in our specialist teaching lab and take part in programming classes. From your third year, you’ll also have the freedom to choose from a variety of optional modules.
In your final year, you’ll develop your advanced research skills through a year-long research project. You’ll work with academic researchers who are experts in their field to investigate a real scientific question, developing skills that are valuable in a variety of graduate careers across research or industry.
Why study this course?
-
1st in the Russell Group for learning opportunities and learning resources in physics - National Student Survey 2025
-
1st in the UK for the quality of physics research - Research Excellence Framework 2021.
Source: University of Sheffield
Course details
Qualification
Master in Physics (with Honours) - MPhys (Hons)
Department
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (Physics)
Location
Main Site | Sheffield
Duration
5 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Physics
Start date
28 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Sheffield student reviews
Showing 1160 reviews
Graduate
1 year ago
I was in my first year of university when the coronavirus pandemic took over. The economics
Graduate
1 year ago
I cannot begin to explain how the University of Sheffield changed my lifeu2026 Having come from a very much working class background in one of the most deprived areas of the country, I wasnu2019t sure what to expect from University. Despite some serious reluctance, I moved into my first year accommo...
Graduate
1 year ago
It can provides a lot of assistance to students. Especially when you feel boring.
Graduate
1 year ago
Good. There are too many uni activities to join in. rn
Graduate
1 year ago
Sheffield is a financial friendly city to students. Uos have lots of scholarship programs.
Graduate
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Sheffield
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 Sheffield students who took the Physics with a Foundation Year course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
87%
low
Teaching on my course
87%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
91%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
89%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
80%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
low
Learning opportunities
90%
high
Learning opportunities
90%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
94%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
85%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
95%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
90%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
85%
med
Assessment and feedback
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
82%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
81%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
81%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
79%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
82%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
84%
med
Academic support
93%
med
Academic support
93%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
97%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
89%
med
Organisation and management
87%
med
Organisation and management
87%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
90%
high
How well organised is your course?
84%
med
Learning resources
99%
high
Learning resources
99%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
98%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
100%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
98%
high
Student voice
87%
high
Student voice
87%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
75%
med
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?
92%
high
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
87%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
86%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
89%
high
Student information
See who's studying at University of Sheffield. These students are taking Physics with a Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Physics with a Foundation Year course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Sheffield graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
Say it fits with future plans
50%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Information Technology Professionals
25%
Teaching Professionals
20%
Administrative occupations
10%
Business and public service associate professionals
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
75%
In work, study or other activity
75%
Say it fits with future plans
45%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Information Technology Professionals
20%
Teaching Professionals
15%
Administrative occupations
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Sheffield graduates who took Physics with a Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£26.6k
First year after graduation
£32.5k
Third year after graduation
£43.4k
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 with a Foundation Year.
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 Sheffield on The Student Room.
University of Sheffield open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
