Contact information
- Professor Philip Jones
- Admissions Tutor
- physast-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
This four-year programme offers an additional year of study on top of the Physics BSc, during which students have the opportunity to specialise further by taking advanced optional modules, and undertaking a research project.
Due to COVID-19, there may have been updates to this programme for the 2020 academic year. Where there has been an update, these are indicated with a red alert and a link which will provide further information.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme.
not accepted for this course
D3,D3,D3 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects, including Mathematics and Physics.
AAA at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and AAA at Higher), including A in Mathematics and Physics at Advanced Higher.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAA, including Mathematics and Physics.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
A science degree from UCL is a strong asset across the whole range of careers where basic scientific skills are required, from accountancy to astrophysics, and computing to cryogenics.
The programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and includes the very latest developments and discoveries in the field, based on our highly rated research.
Collaborative links with both industry and international research laboratories provide insight into the practical application of your studies.
A wide range of optional modules are available, including modules from other University of London colleges, which allows for individual preferences and specialisations within your degree.
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics. Holders of accredited degrees can follow a route to Institute of Physics membership and the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) professional qualification. Graduates of accredited Integrated Master's (MPhys or MSci) degrees have fulfilled the educational requirements for CPhys status, while graduates of accredited Bachelor's (BSc) degrees have partially fulfilled these requirements.
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Compulsory modules in the first year provide a firm foundation in quantum and classical physics, underpinned by mathematics and a practical skills module which includes computing skills training.
The second year includes a compulsory module in quantum physics and its application to atoms and molecules, statistical thermodynamics and electromagnetic theory, along with further mathematics. The quantum and condensed matter elements of the core are completed in the third year.
The second and third year also include practical laboratory and project modules and optional modules to develop further and enhance knowledge of a range of physics topics.
The fourth year comprises a compulsory research project and further optional modules, generally chosen from subjects in the relevant degree specialty. A wide range of modules are available each year and normally some taught by staff from other University of London colleges.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Year 1: All first year modules are compulsory – 120 credits at Level 4
PHAS0004 Atoms, Stars and the Universe (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0005 Waves, Optics and Acoustics (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0006 Thermal Physics (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0007 Practical Physics and Computing 1 (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0008 Practical Skills 1P (Experimental Physics) (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0002 Mathematical Methods I ((15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0009 Mathematical Methods II (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0010 Classical Mechanics (15 credits) (Level 4)
PHAS0017 Developing Effective Communications 1 (non-credit, but will appear in student’s transcript)
All first-year modules are compulsory.
Year 2: 120 credits at Level 5 in total
Compulsory modules (105 credits)
PHAS0021 Electricity and Magnetism (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0022 Quantum Physics (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0023 Atomic & Molecular Physics (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0024 Statistical Thermodynamics (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0028 Practical Physics 2A (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0029 Practical Physics and Computing 2 (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0025 Mathematical Methods III (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0035 Developing Effective Communications 2 (non-credit, but will appear in student’s transcript)
You will select 15 credits in total from a list including the following (choices must be approved by the Programme Tutor)
MATH0043 Mathematics for Physics and Astronomy (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0027 Environmental Physics (15 credits) (Level 5)
PHAS0019 Planetary Science (Level 5) 15 credits
or another appropriate module approved by the Programme Tutor
Year 3: 120 Credits (at least 90 credits at Level 6)
Compulsory modules (90 credits)
PHAS0038 Electromagnetic Theory (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0040 Nuclear and Particle Physics (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0041 Solid State Physics (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0042 Quantum Physics (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0051 Experimental Physics (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0052 Physics Group Project (15 credits) (Level 6)
You will select 30 credits in total from options including the following (choices must be approved by your Programme Tutor)
PHAS0049 Theory of Dynamical Systems (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0053 Lasers and Modern Optics (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0055 Materials & Energy Materials (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0056 Scientific Computing using Object-Oriented Languages (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0050 Energy and Climate (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0039 Physics Education (IoE) (Level 6) 15 credits
PHAS0037 Physical Cosmology (15 credits) (Level 6)
PHAS0057 Physics of the Earth (15 credits) (Level 6)
GEOL0022 Physics of Oceans, Ice Sheets and Climate (15 credits) (Level 6)
Year 4: 120 credits at level 7 in total
Compulsory module
PHAS0097 (M201) Physics Project (45 credits) (Level 7)
Select 75 credits in total from options including (needs Programme Tutor approval)
PHASM047 Physics of Advanced Materials (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHASM048 Theoretical Condensed Matter (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0061 Advanced Topics in Statistical Mechanics (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0069 Advanced Quantum Theory (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0105 Atom and Photon Physics (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0099 Molecular Physics (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0072 Particle Physics (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0070 Quantum Computation and Communication (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0073 Quantum Field Theory (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0102 High-performance Computing (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0103 Molecular Biophysics (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0074 Space Plasma and Magnetospheric Physics (15 credits) (Level 7)
PHAS0075 Order and Excitations in Condensed Matter (15 credits) (Level 7)
MATH0078 Boundary Layers (15 credits) (Level 7)
Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory (and as appropriate, observatory) practical sessions, and supervised problem-solving tutorials. These tutorials are designed to deal with lecture-based questions, enlarge on topics addressed in lectures, and allow clarification and in-depth discussion of new concepts.
Assessment will normally involve end-of-year examinations, and an element of assessed coursework. Practical work will be continuously assessed.
Detailed course descriptions are available on the department website: Physics MSci.
Your scientific training will equip you with an understanding of mathematics, and of physical principles and techniques, as well as transferable skills in analysis, rational argument and innovative problem solving. Surveys by the Institute of Physics indicate that physicists' versatility is welcomed by a wider range of professions than any other subject.
Around half our graduates choose to pursue further study for an MSc or PhD. A PhD opens up the possibility of an academic or research career in a university or research institute. Alternatively, like many of our graduates, you may consider employment in research, design, development, computing, finance, marketing and teaching, among others.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
“My favourite part of the programme is labs! We put into use the theory we learn in lectures, and we have replicated famous experiments that led to significant discoveries, such as the Michelson-Morley experiment. It encourages us to collaborate and can be very social.”Steven Vuong - Physics MSci Second Year
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2020/21 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2020/21 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
You will require the approved model of calculator for use in exams. For details please see the Exams and Assessment page of the UCL website.
There are some optional activities in which you may like to participate that incur an additional cost, for example membership of the Student Physics Society, or the department's annual weekend away at Cumberland Lodge.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs on this programme, please get in touch with us.
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
In addition to the subjects and grades specified in the qualifying examinations, we are also looking for evidence of self-motivation and an enthusiastic interest in the subject. This may be demonstrated through paid or voluntary work experience, academic project work, or your interests and hobbies beyond the school curriculum.
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 15 January 2020
Your application will be carefully assessed based on your UCAS form and reference. If you are made an offer, you will be invited to a Physics Offer Holder's Day. This will include presentations, a tour of facilities and an opportunity to meet current students and staff members. Attendance is strongly recommended as we cannot provide private tours of the department at the moment.
Some Physics Offer Holder's Days will be partially livestreamed for overseas applicants.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.
Page last modified on 24 February 2020