Physics, BSc

Physics, BSc

Introduction

Physics at Aberdeen takes you on a fascinating journey of understanding through every level of the physical world, from quarks, atoms and molecules to solar systems, galaxies and the universe. We will explore questions as vast as how the universe has evolved into its present state and cover topics such as the quantum nature of reality and other fascinating topics like thermodynamics and entropy.

Study Information

At a Glance

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning
Degree Qualification
BSc
Duration
48 months
Study Mode
Full Time
Start Month
September
UCAS Code
F300
Pathway Programme Available
Undergraduate Foundation Programme

We offer a stimulating environment for learning, with small class sizes and friendly staff that you will truly get to know well as you study here. Our overall aim is to build a solid foundation of physics knowledge and use that to teach you how to think differently about the world and learn the widely applicable problem-solving skills of a physicist.

Here, you will be taught by experts in both experimental and theoretical areas of physics. Our highly research-active staff's work also interfaces strongly with other disciplines, so you will learn how to apply your physics skills and knowledge to understanding problems in multiple fields, including the environment, the economy and medicine.

We have laboratory physics available at all four years of the degree, with a solid introduction to the skills required for experimental physics in our first-year labs, leading to ever more complex experiments and more freedom to pursue your own interests in the second and third year.

In fourth year, you may choose to undertake an experimental physics project - this year, this has included designing an in-vitro chip for studying heart disease, or constructing an optical tweezers.

Thanks to our connections with other disciplines we have offered other fourth year projects in medical physics, including MRI, and solid state chemistry and the study of anti-matter. We also have extremely strong expertise in computational modelling, and have projects modelling topics as diverse as patient flow through a hospital, the effects of chaos on network communications and the spread of disease.

What You'll Study

Compulsory Courses

Optional Courses

Select a further 45 credit points from courses of choice.

We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lab Work
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

  • coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
  • practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
  • written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Physics?

  • We are ranked 6th in the UK for Physics - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • We are ranked 2nd in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction - NSS 2023
  • Our BSc Physics degree is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
  • The Department of Physics at the University of Aberdeen has a long and illustrious history. Notable former staff include James Clerk Maxwell, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists who have ever lived due to his revolutionary work on electricity, magnetism, and optics and GP Thomson who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921
  • The Physics and Astronomy Society is open to any students with an interest in physics or astronomy and organises a series of talks, experimental sessions, astronomy nights, trips, game nights, and numerous social outings.
  • Physics at Aberdeen is strongly interdisciplinary, bridging gaps between abstract concepts and 'real world' applications in the scientific, engineering, medical and social fields. The Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology (ICSMB), for example, devotes special effort to applying mathematical modelling skills to understanding problems in the life sciences such as epidemiology or systems biology.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

View the Aberdeen Global Scholarship

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.


General Entry Requirements

SQA Highers

Standard: BBBB*

Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.

Minimum: BBC

Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

Adjusted: BB

Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.

We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.

Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.

* Including good performance in Mathematics and Physics by the end of your senior phase of education.

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

A LEVELS

Standard: BBC*

Minimum: BCC*

Adjusted: CCC*

* Including good performance in Mathematics and Physics by the end of your senior phase of education.

More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL, including HL in Mathematics and Physics.

Irish Leaving Certificate

5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3, Including H3 in Mathematics and Physics.

The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.


English Language Requirements

To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Read more about specific English Language requirements here.

International Applicants who do not meet the Entry Requirements

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre offers preparation programmes for international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for undergraduate study. Discover your foundation pathway here.

Fees and Funding

You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.

Fee information
Fee category Cost
RUK £9,535
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
EU / International students £24,800
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions
Home Students £1,820
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year

Additional Fees

  • In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
  • For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.

Scholarships and Funding

UK Scholarship

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.

Funding Database

View all funding options in our Funding Database.

Careers

Physics is widely seen as a highly numerate and technical degree, so general employment prospects are excellent. The comprehensive expertise of the Physics staff at Aberdeen means you will be in an excellent position to pursue postgraduate opportunities in a huge variety of fields.

We have graduates working in particle physics at CERN, in the business and finance sectors, teaching, and even generating weather forecasts. Many graduates become professional scientists in industry, research institutes and universities.

The skills you learn here in quantitative and data analysis are highly valued in numerous sectors outside of science, including banking and finance, where such graduates are highly valued and remunerated.

According to the What Do Graduates Do? 2023 survey, Physics graduates had the highest level of employment in graduate jobs (85%} and also commanded the highest salaries for science graduates (£28,116).

Typical roles taken up by physics graduates include:

  • Astronomer
  • Clinical Scientist (medical physics)
  • Data Scientist
  • Financial Analyst
  • Geophysicist
  • Metallurgist
  • Meteorologist
  • Nanotechnologist
  • Nuclear Scientist
  • Researcher
  • Software Engineer

Our BSc Physics degree is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP} which means the programme satisfies the academic requirements for IOP membership, and provides a route to Registered Scientist (RSci}, Chartered Physicist (CPhys) and Chartered Scientist (CSci}.

Accreditation

This degree holds accreditation from

What our Alumni Say

Stella Kin

Stella Kin

Stella Kin

Job Details
Data Analyst
Graduated 2011

Physics is a tough subject but stick at it - it gets better and better as you progress each year. When you get to the end you realise you've barely skimmed the surface and there is so much science to still explore.

Our Experts

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.

Features

Image for Learn from world-class experts
Learn from world-class experts

Learn from world-class experts

Example - Congratulations to Professor Norval Strachan, Head of Physics at the University of Aberdeen, who has been appointed as Food Standards Scotland's first Chief Scientific Adviser.

Find out more
Image for Physics and Astronomy Student Society
Physics and Astronomy Student Society

Physics and Astronomy Student Society

We aim to hold social events through the year including: lectures, film nights, quizzes, revision sessions, stargazing and of course. Meet new people with similar interests, learn physics and most importantly have lots of fun.

Find out more

Discover Uni

Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.

100%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Physics (Full time) at University of Aberdeen, over two years

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

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Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX

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