Why Physics at the University of Birmingham?

Our courses will give you a grounding in core physics in the early stages, then allow you to specialise and choose from a wealth of options during the later years. Also, it is often possible to swap between our specialised courses early in your studies. Our degrees are available as a three-year Bachelors or four-year integrated Masters programme and it is possible to swap between these two options, subject to satisfactory achievement, during your first two years of study.

Your contact hours will be split between lectures, labs, computing classes, small group example classes and tutorial sessions, amounting to around 22 hours a week in year 1.  In year 1 and year 2 your weekly tutorial will be with no more than three other students. You will find these are invaluable in ensuring you have a ready source of academic and personal help throughout your studies.

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A Physics degree at Birmingham will prepare you for graduate-level employment either as a Physicist or in the wider working world. You will have plenty of support in planning your career; we have a large careers centre on campus and a careers tutor in the School of Physics and Astronomy. You'll take part in  careers tutorials in year 2 and can attend careers fairs specific to physics students , where representatives from companies will come to talk to you. In your final year we will provide you with specialist advice if you are applying for jobs. 

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The researchers at Birmingham perform work that has been judged to be of world-leading quality in the most recent government Research Excellence Framework (REF). You will be taught by these experts in the field and will also become an active part of one of our research groups during your year 4 project. Some of our research groups include those involved with the discovery of the Higgs Boson, the team who developed a macroscopic invisibility cloak and astronomers involved in the celebrated TRAPPIST1 exoplanet discovery. Additionally, we are home to the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Timing and Sensors and the Birmingham Institute for Gravitational Wave astronomy.

 Learn more about our research

You will have access to equipment specialised to degree level Physics, allowing you to pursue a wide range of experimental interests throughout your degree. We also have an observatory just outside the city, which contains a modern telescope and equipment, which you can use as a Physics with Astrophysics student. If you want to study on campus you will find study spaces and computer clusters within the school and even more around the campus. There is also a café in the physics building, which is a great meeting place and the perfect spot to grab lunch between lectures.

Overwhelmingly, our students tell us that they chose to study at Birmingham not only because of its leading reputation, flexible courses and beautiful campus but also because of the warm and friendly atmosphere within the School.

You will feel part of a community, supported by our department study spaces, tutorial system, student societies and enthusiastic staff. Our staff and students from many different backgrounds and nationalities look forward to welcoming you into this community.