BSc Physics
  • Undergraduate
  • BSc

Physics

Broaden your understanding of fundamental and applied physics in this professionally accredited degree.

Broaden your understanding of fundamental and applied physics in this professionally accredited degree

Learn at the cutting edge of the subject with input from world-leading research groups

Demonstrate your subject expertise on a substantial final year project

Showing course information for 2025 View 2024 course information

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • BSc

  • Duration

    3 years

  • Start date

    October 2025

  • UCAS course code

    F300

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • Not set Home

    • Not set Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • South Kensington

  • Applications: places

    7 : 1 (2023)

Minimum entry standard

  • A*A*A (A-level)

  • 40 points (International Baccalaureate)

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Discover how to solve problems concerning the physical world on this accredited three-year course.

You'll explore how the laws of physics underpin most science and engineering disciplines and build a thorough understanding of various physics, mathematics and experimental methods.

This course will help you develop a large range of problem-solving skills that can also be applied to many other (seemingly unrelated) situations.

Through a range of modules, laboratory work, and projects you'll advance your knowledge of topics including mechanics, relativity and quantum physics.

You'll also benefit from the programme's strong links to the world-leading research being carried out by various research groups at Imperial.

You'll start to specialise across a range of optional modules during your third year and use mathematical and computing tools to tackle well-defined problems.

This work will equip you in essential skills such as using apparatus, conducting experiments, interpreting data, and presenting your results.

Your final year culminates in the completion of a substantial project, usually carried out within one of our research groups.

Subject to university approval.

Structure

This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.

Find out more about potential course changes.

Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.

You’ll study the following core modules during your first year. 

You’ll also choose one optional module.

 

Core modules

Optional modules

You’ll take the following core modules.

You’ll also choose one I-Explore module, and two optional modules.

 

Core modules

Optional modules

You'll study all core modules, and choose one project module. 

You will also choose four or five optional modules.  

Only one of these can be from Group B.

 

Core modules

Optional modules - Projects

Optional modules - Group A

Optional modules - Group B

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP).

With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.

Our BSc Physics courses partially satisfy the academic requirement for professional registration as a Chartered Physicist (CPhys). This is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in physics, which can lead to higher earning potential and better career prospects.

To gain Chartered status after you graduate, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have knowledge equivalent to an accredited integrated Master’s degree.

Our accreditation agreement with the Institute of Physics is renewed every five years. The current accreditation agreement was recently renewed through 2027.

Associateship

In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Lectures, tutorials and laboratory work
  • Independent study
  • Research project

Years 1 & 2

  • 50% Lectures, tutorials and laboratory work
  • 50% Independent study
  • 0% Research project

Year 3

  • 13% Lectures, tutorials and laboratory work
  • 87% Independent study
  • 0% Research project

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Laboratory classes
  • Computing labs
  • Person giving feedback
    Office hours
  • Individual research project
    Project work
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • A person studying independently
    Independent learning

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Coursework
  • Practical
  • Written examination

Year 1

  • 25% Coursework
  • 15% Practical
  • 60% Written examination

Year 2

  • 20% Coursework
  • 10% Practical
  • 70% Written examination

Year 3

  • 15% Coursework
  • 15% Practical
  • 70% Written examination

Assessment methods

  • Computing reports and laboratory reports
  • Mastery tests
  • Oral presentations and assessments
  • Poster project
    Poster presentations
  • Project reports
  • Progress tests and quizzes
  • A person completing a written exam
    Written examinations
  • Papers from a written report
    Written problems

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

When applications open, you will be able to start your application via UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices and track your application.

Applications open on 14 May 2024

Application deadlines – 29 January 2025 at 18.00 (UK time)

Tuition fees

Home fee

2025 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Home fee for 2024–25 was £9,250 per year

Overseas fee

2025 entry

Not set
As a guide, the Overseas fee for 2024–25 was £41,650 per year

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

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Improve your career prospects by developing a broad range of professional skills.

Graduate Cap above rolled Degree

Approximately half of Imperial students also pursue MSc or PhD degrees.

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Many Imperial graduates move into traditional technical jobs because of their analytical and problem-solving skills.

Oil derrick

Oil and gas, telecommunications, business consultancy, banking, and finance are among them.

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Other potential career prospects include the civil service, cyber risk modelling, the energy industry, and the automotive industry.

Course data

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Terms and conditions

There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications