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Physics (International Study) BSc

Start date
September
Duration
4 years
UCAS code
F301
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours, Study abroad year
Fees

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025/26 are as follows:
£9,535 (UK)
£28,130 (International)
Further fee information

Would you like to spend one year of your degree studying physics at a foreign university? Perhaps you are interested in developing your language skills whilst studying for a degree or you see yourself working abroad in a future career. If so, our Physics (International Study) BSc programme might be for you.

 This four-year Physics (International Study) BSc degree programme provides a thorough training in physics, together with the opportunity to study at a university in another European country, or further afield such as Australia, Canada and Japan. 

The emphasis during the year abroad is on developing ability in the foreign language, if applicable, and on understanding the cultural, historical and social aspects of the host country. The combination of skills you acquire in physics and mathematics with fluency in a foreign language is attractive to potential employers.

To undertake an exchange to a non-English speaking university, BSc you must hold a GCSE (grade B or above) an appropriate language. You are required to continue with language lessons during the first two years of your studies at the University of Birmingham. See the modules section for further details.

There are many opportunities to undertake project work during your degree. For those who take laboratories this will be as part of your lab work in the first two years. A project develops a wide range of skills including planning and report writing. Group studies in your final year is a major project which is undertaken in groups of 10-20 students. The task requires the group to work as a team and enables you to solve a problem of much greater magnitude than could be attempted by an individual. The team work skills learnt here are invaluable in success in a future career. 

You will be taught by academics who are global experts in their field, you'll gain a broad understanding of the essential concepts of physics, ranging from entropy to quantum mechanics and beyond. The transferable skills you’ll also learn will make you very employable; including problem solving, computing and giving presentations.

Why study Physics (International Study) BSc at Birmingham?

  • Very broad range of leading research leading to a wide range of optional modules and projects.
  • High employability rate, including a high percentage who go on to do PhDs. Employability is embedded through the course.
  • Friendly and supportive environment. Year 1 and year 2 have weekly tutorials with 1 academic member of staff and no more than 4 students. Lecturers have open door policy. Elected student representatives meet weekly with staff to resolve any issues quickly.
  • Flexibility between our range of specialised courses:
    • You can swap to Physics, Physics and Astrophysics, and Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology after your first year
    • You may be able to swap between the MSci or BSc version of Physics (International Study), the decision is made at the start of the second year (subject to language qualifications or application process to an English speaking university).

Accredited degree

Institute of Physics logoThis course is accredited by the Institute of Physics. The summary reads:
'This is a major and important physics department residing in one of the UK's premier universities. It is highly organised, well-run and benefits from a dedicated set of academic staff. Physics is presented through well-planned degree programmes, supported by a range of excellent facilities'.

Meet LinusLinus in a building atrium

Linus is a 3rd year Theoretical Physics student at Birmingham and will be regularly blogging about his experiences at Birmingham. In his spare time, he enjoys going out and exploring Birmingham, reading, playing the clarinet, and listening to music. Linus also enjoys playing handball.

Read Linus's blogs >> 

My favourite part about my time studying Physics at the University of Birmingham has been through the incredible opportunities I have been provided with, mainly the chance to complete my third year through a year abroad in the United States. The US was just one of the many countries I had the option of applying for; other options included Australia, Malaysia, France, Germany, Canada and many others. Whilst it was hard leaving Birmingham where I’d had such an incredible first two years, my year abroad was probably the best year of my life and, as I was taking the MSci course, it all counted towards my degree!

Kousha Wrigley, Physics MSci (International Study)

Modules

We strongly encourage second year students to follow an additional language course in their own time, taught by the Department of Modern Languages.

Year 1

Core modules

Optional modules

Choose 10 credits, example of optional modules:

 

Year 2

Core modules

Optional modules

Choose 20 credits, example of optional modules:

Year 3 (International Year)

Modules will depend upon the chosen University. Your programme of study will be devised through liaison with the academic tutors at Birmingham and those at your host institution. 

To undertake an exchange to a non-English speaking university, BSc Students must hold a GCSE (grade B or above) in an appropriate language. You are required to continue with language lessons during the first two years of your studies at the University of Birmingham.

Students wishing to study in Europe must do so at one of our partner institutions, with whom we can guarantee an exchange programme. Students wishing to study at an International University (ie, outside of Europe) are not guaranteed an exchange. This is because any allocation depends on academic achievement.

For exchange outside of Europe, you must list seven universities in order of preference, with the first three choices being from three different countries. International university placements have been undertaken in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States of America.

On returning to Birmingham you will complete your studies by following the final year of your course. 

Tuition fees for placement years (where applicable)

There is a reduced tuition fee for the academic year spent in industry or whilst studying abroad (where available). Fee information and further clarification is available on the University fees and funding page.

Year 4

Core modules

You also take EITHER Laboratory module (20 credits); OR Laboratory (10 credits) AND EITHER Scientific Computing 1 (10 credits) OR Scientific Computing 2 (10 credits).

Optional modules.

Choose 50 credits, examples of optional modules:

Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2025. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to core modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Fees

Annual tuition fees 2025/26

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

  • £9,535
  • £28,130 - International

Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Scholarships

At Birmingham we ensure that fears about finance do not constrain prospective students from considering university and that excellence is rewarded.

  

Tuition fees for placement years (where applicable)

There is a reduced tuition fee for the academic year spent in industry or whilst studying abroad (where available). Fee information and further clarification is available on the University fees and funding page.

How To Apply

Apply through the UCAS website using code F301.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

View advice on how to apply for undergraduate courses.

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
A*AA / AAAA
Required subjects and grades:
A level Mathematics and A level Physics grades A*A (or AA as part of the four A level offer). GCSE Grade B in relevant language to study abroad at a non-English speaking university.
General Studies:
Accepted as 4th A level in AAAA entry criteria.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

7,6,6 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and Physics, with a minimum of 32 points overall. 7 must be in Mathematics or Physics.

BTEC

Only considered when combined with Mathematics and Physics qualifications.

Other qualifications are considered, please contact the admissions tutor for more information, or learn more about entry requirements.

Foundation Year

Are you a UK student and would like to study for one of our degrees but lack the entry qualifications we require? If you are not studying A Level Mathematics you can consider a Foundation Year programme which can lead to entry onto one of our courses.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, our Contextual Offer Scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the contextual offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer.

International Students

We accept a range of international qualifications, please contact the admissions tutor for more information.

Standard English language requirements apply, learn more about international entry requirements.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

At Birmingham, you will you benefit from our national and internationally leading expertise in a broad range of physics areas. Our researchers will teach your lectures, lead your labs, act as your personal tutors and supervise your projects. That means you’ll be working alongside renowned academics that are pushing the frontiers of scientific knowledge.

How you will learn

Most modules are delivered in the form of traditional lectures given by active physics researchers. You will also learn through tutorials, examples classes and guided study, laboratory practicals and project work. Lab work is an integral part of your degree courses and computing and transferrable skills are also interwoven into your studies.

How you will be assessed

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways: exams, class tests, problem sheets, lab assignments and project reports. There is a strong emphasis on project work in the final year of your degree course. Lab work is assessed continuously through the term.

Your personal tutor

You’ll be assigned a personal tutor for each of the first two years. You’ll meet them once a week, in a group of no more than four students. These tutorials give you the chance to chat through any areas of confusion from the previous week's studies and an opportunity to review feedback on marked assessed work. They are also an opportunity to chat about any areas of Physics that interest you.

Personal tutors are also your first point of call for pastoral support, although we also have a wellbeing officer if you want to chat to someone else about issues that are troubling you. Weekly tutorials are not held in the third year due to the increasing specialism of your work, so you will talk to specific lecturers about your modules, as necessary.

Lecturers and world-leading researchers

You will be taught by lecturers and researchers that are world leaders in their fields; several have been part of some of the most celebrated scientific discoveries in recent years – the direct detection of gravitational waves and the discovery of the Higgs boson – and many more are at the forefront of research into cold atoms, molecular physics, metamaterials, nanophysics and nuclear physics, to name but a few. As well as being world-renowned for their research, our academics are passionate about passing on their knowledge and expertise.

Resources and facilities

Our world class teaching facilities include state of the art study spaces, computing suites and teaching laboratories. Our research facilities include our own particle accelerator, the MC40 cyclotron, and laboratories used for the construction of the detectors and electronics used in the experiments at the LHC, CERN. We are also home to one of the four UK Quantum Technology hubs, which at Birmingham is developing state-of-the-art quantum sensors.

Contact Hours

Throughout our Physics programmes you can expect an average of about 20 hours of contact time per week comprising of lectures, laboratory based activity and tutorials. These figures may vary due to module choice and progression.

Programmes including a Year in International Study or a Year in Computer Science may include a different amount of contact hours during that year.

As a graduate in Physics, the choice of career remains wide open. You may go on to apply your physics knowledge directly in a scientific environment, or you might be employed in a high-profile job for your problem-solving and computational skills, in the worlds of finance and information technology. 

Physicists are problem solvers at heart, and throughout your degree you’ll learn how to tackle a variety of problems so you can apply your breadth of understanding to many different areas.

Over 40% of our students go on to further study after graduating, with around two thirds of those being research leading to a PhD, a route open to you directly after completing an MSci degree. As well as being the main route into academic research, a PhD also opens the door to many careers that need specific advanced scientific knowledge. The most compelling reason to do a PhD is love of the subject, and the high number of our graduates choosing this route illustrates the satisfaction of students who study with us. The remaining third of students who carry on to further study either take a specialised postgraduate masters in subjects such as a very specific branch of physics, or engineering or computing, or they are pursuing a postgraduate teaching qualification such as a PGCE or PGdipEd.

Graduates who have studied our courses:

Example employers

  • NASA
  • NHS - Medical Physics
  • Rolls-Royce
  • EDF Energy
  • BAE Systems
  • Barclays Capital
  • PriceWaterhouse Coopers
  • Accenture - Technology Services

Example careers

  • Scientific researcher
  • Medical physicist
  • Energy consultant
  • Defence analyst
  • Meteorologist
  • Statistician
  • Financial services analyst
  • Business consultant

I am now a Management Consultant, focusing specifically on Operational Excellence within the private sector. This means that I am part of a team that helps firms to make their processes more efficient, optimise their workforce and organisational structure, and reduce cost.

Although I don’t use my physics knowledge directly, the skills that I developed make me stand out. Problem-solving skills are highly valued, along with being able to draw insights from data analysis – “what is this really telling us?” as opposed to just presenting the numbers. Working as a consultant means that I get to experience lots of different industries.

Phoebe Cunnane, alumna, MSci Physics.

Careers Network

We provide a wealth of opportunities to develop your career. From your first day at Birmingham to after you graduate, the Careers Network  is here to help you identify and achieve your individual career aspirations through its wide range of services.

Our dedicated careers team brings you information, advice and guidance tailored to your specific needs. Careers advisers offer one-to-one advice appointments where you can discuss your career plans and explore your options. In addition, our employer-endorsed award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme designed to improve your career prospects.

Visit the Careers Network website for more details

Professional Accreditation

Accredited degree

Institute of Physics logoThis course is accredited by the Institute of Physics. The summary reads:
'This is a major and important physics department residing in one of the UK's premier universities. It is highly organised, well-run and benefits from a dedicated set of academic staff. Physics is presented through well-planned degree programmes, supported by a range of excellent facilities'.