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Theoretical Physics BSc

Start date
September
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
F342
Course Type
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Fees

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

If you want to explore the profound concepts of modern physics with a firm mathematical focus, then this Theoretical Physics BSc degree has been created for you. It’s specifically suitable if you enjoy the challenging nature of understanding the mathematical framework upon which modern physics study depends.

 This Theoretical Physics BSc degree course draws on the expertise of Birmingham physicists engaged in cutting-edge research. This will enable you to gain strong theoretical and practical skills from experts in this field.

You will not only study a range of mathematical physics modules but also have a choice from a wide range of optional modules across all areas of physics. This will allow you to tailor your degree to your own interests, you can keep your choices broad or focus on a couple areas of physics if you wish.  Additionally some modules from the Mathematics department are open to you, giving a wealth of choice. 

Our Theoretical Physics BSc course provides you with a choice of either a ‘lab’ or a ‘no lab’ flavour. Both cover the essential core of theoretical physics, but the ‘lab’ option allows you to carry out experimental work too. Choosing the ‘no lab’ option means you’ll take courses in data analysis and some additional mathematical physics courses instead. By the middle of the second year the ‘Lab’ and ‘No Lab’ options combine with neither at a disadvantage.

Why study Theoretical Physics 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 one 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
    • BSc and MSci identical for first two years so don’t need to make final decision between the two until end of second year.
    • In some cases it’s possible to swap to Physics, Physics and Astrophysics, or Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology after the first year
    • Theoretical Physics comes in a lab or a no-lab flavour in the first year

    • BSc students can choose to do a year out in computer science during their third year.

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 >> 

I think one of the best parts of my course are the weekly small group tutorials in first and second year. These are a really great opportunity to both attempt some more challenging physics problems, and to get to know members of academic staff and other students. Because Theoretical Physics has a small cohort, it has a very friendly atmosphere. Our timetable has a good mixture of lectures and smaller group teaching.

Laura Coakley, MSci Theoretical Physics

Our physics courses

This Theoretical Physics course is a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, we also offer a four-year Masters of Science (MSci) degree version too.

We also have degree programmes available in:

Interested in Computer Science?

Our ' Year in Computer Science'  offers students from non-computing disciplines the chance to gain in-depth knowledge of computing and enhance their work-based skills through the study of Computer Science. 

Modules

The Theoretical Physics course itself comes in two varieties – ‘Lab’ and ‘No Lab’ – you are free to choose between them on arrival. By the middle of the second year the ‘Lab’ and ‘No Lab’ options combine with neither at a disadvantage.

Year 1

In order for you to progress to stage 2 you will need to obtain 70% or above in the Mathematics for Physicists 1A module. If you fail to achieve this they are transferred onto the MSci Physics programme.

Core modules

Options - choose either Laboratory Pathway or Non- Laboratory Pathway

Laboratory pathway

Non-laboratory pathway

If the non-laboratory pathway was chosen, choose one of the following modules:

Year 2

All modules 10 credits.

Core modules

Laboratory pathway, take the following module and one option from the non-laboratory list

Non-laboratory pathway - choose two options

Year 3

Core modules

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 F342.

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
Required subjects and grades:
A level Mathematics A*, A level Physics A
General Studies:
not accepted

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, 6 in Physics.

BTEC

Only considered when combined with other Mathematics and Physics qualifications.

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

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.

At Birmingham, you will you benefit from our national and internationally leading expertise in a broad range of physics and mathematics 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 guided study and project work; lab work is optional during your first two years. 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 and project reports. If taking the laboratory modules the 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 of our Physicists 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. Our Mathematicians are experts in areas such as Mathematical Biology, Nonlinear Systems, Geometry and Topology, to name a few. As well as being world-renowned for their research, our academics are passionate about passing on their knowledge and expertise.

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, example classes and tutorials. These figures may vary due to module choice and progression.

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'.