PhysicsBSc Honours

UCAS code F3003 Years

www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/F300Printed from the web page above on 05/06/2018

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 2

PhysicsBSc HonoursUCAS code F3003 Years

Our three-year Physics BSc Honours degreeequips you with a sound knowledge offundamental and applied physics.

The first and second years are designed to ensure that youdevelop a sound foundation in all aspects of physics. Youwill explore a broad and exciting range of topics, such as:

• quantum mechanics• astrophysics• solid state physics• particle physics

In your final year, you are given the opportunity to specialisein modules such as relativity and cosmology, biophysics andelectromagnetism.

You will get hands-on experience with specialist equipmentand work in our high-spec facilities. This helps you developpractical skills for a wide range of physical science careers.

Highlights of this degreeQuality and rankingAll of our degrees are recognised by the Institute of Physics(IoP) and our undergraduates are eligible for studentmembership of the IoP.

Become a graduate in demandPhysics graduates report earning average salaries close to£27,000 on graduation. Graduates can expect this toincrease over the course of their career(www.savethestudent.org).

Physics graduates can be found in almost every numeratecareer. Possible career paths include:

• engineering• medicine• finance• nanotechnology• oil, gas and renewable energy• telecommunications

See the Careers section on our Physics website for moreinformation about the skills that Physics graduates develop.

Boost your employability with a work placementApply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optional workplacement between Stages 2 and 3. You can apply tospend your placement year with any organisation and willreceive University support to do so.

You’ll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector,putting your learning into practice and developing yourprofessional expertise.

It will extend your degree by a year and is subject toavailability.

Find out more about Work Placements.

Practical skillsThis degree will equip you with skills that are in demand withemployers across the globe.

Using our high-spec facilities, and working alongside ourexpert staff, you will:

• learn the practical applications of physics in cutting edgetechnologies and advanced engineering

• develop expertise in laboratory techniques, giving you thepractical skills required in a wide range of physicalscience careers

• conduct research at a leading Russell Group university,showcasing your research and presentation skills

• develop your experimental, analytical, computing andresearch skills through laboratory- and project-basedmodules

Industrial experienceOur links with high-technology companies providesopportunities for you to gain industrial experience withinternationally known companies, such as:

• Raytheon UK• Rolls-Royce• BAE Systems• the De Beers Group

Research expertiseYou will benefit from our interdisciplinary approach atNewcastle University, and the diverse research strengths ofour expert academic staff.

We have research expertise in:

• novel electronic materials• semiconductor devices• computational physics• quantum fluids• astrophysics• relativity• nanoscale properties of materials

Visit our Physics website to find out more about ourresearch expertise.

Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme(DTUS)This degree is also approved by DTUS for entry to alltechnical corps.

DTUS is a Ministry of Defence sponsorship programme forstudents who wish to join the Royal Navy, British Army,RAF, or Defence Engineering and Science Group(DESG) as technical officers after graduation.

Find out more on the DTUS programme.

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 3

Facilities and supportAs a Physics student at Newcastle University, you will bebased in the Herschel Building at the heart of our city centrecampus.

FacilitiesYou will have access to high specification laboratoryfacilities equipped with leading experimental andcomputational physics capabilities. The Herschel Buildingalso has dedicated study and social spaces, and acomputing area.

Find out more about our facilities on the Physics website.

SupportYou will have an academic member of staff as a personaltutor throughout your degree. They can help with academicand personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellowstudents who can help you settle in and answer anyquestions you have.

Find out more about Physics at Newcastle on our Physicswebsite.

Relax between lectures in our dedicated StudentCommon Rooms.

Course Details

Modules for 2018 entry

Please noteThe module and/or programme information below isfor 2018 entry. Our teaching is informed by research andmodules change periodically to reflect developments inthe discipline, the requirements of external bodies andpartners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers ofstudents interested (in an optional module). To find outmore read our terms and conditions.Module/programme information for 2019 entry will bepublished here as soon as it is available (end of May2019).Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts foran academic year and you need to complete modulestotalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Furtherinformation, including the credit value of the module, isavailable in each of the module descriptions below.

Stage 1

Compulsory modulesPHY1020  DynamicsPHY1021  Introductory AstrophysicsPHY1022  Vibrations, Waves, AC TheoryPHY1023  Introductory Electromagnetism and MaterialsPHY1025  Introductory Quantum MechanicsPHY1029  Multivariate Calculus and Differential EquationsPHY1030  Laboratory Physics 1PHY1031  Introductory CalculusPHY1032  Introductory Algebra: Complex Numbers,Vectors and Matrices

Stage 2

Compulsory modulesPHY2020  Principles of Quantum MechanicsPHY2021  Principles of ElectromagnetismPHY2022  ThermodynamicsPHY2023  Statistical MechanicsPHY2024  Principles of Materials and Solid State PhysicsPHY2026  Vector CalculusPHY2027  Semiconductor DevicesPHY2028  Laboratory Physics 2PHY2029  Physics in the Modern WorldPHY2031  Differential Equations, Transforms and WavesPHY2032  Optics

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 4

Work Placement (optional)

You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months on an optionalwork placement between Stages 2 and 3. You can applyto spend your placement year with any organisation andwill receive University support to do so. It will extend yourdegree by a year and is subject to availability. Find outmore on about Work Placements.

Stage 3

Compulsory modulesPHY3020  Advanced Quantum MechanicsPHY3022  Relativity and CosmologyPHY3023  Advanced Materials and Solid-State PhysicsPHY3024  Atoms, Molecules, Nuclei, ParticlesPHY3025  Group ProjectPHY3026 Electronic DevicesPHY3027  ProjectPHY3028  Computational ModellingOptional modulesYou select three optional modules, usually from thefollowing list:PHY2033  Fluid DynamicsPHY3029  Variational Methods and Lagrangian DynamicsPHY3032  Advanced ElectromagnetismPHY3033  Advanced AstrophysicsPHY3036  Partial Differential Equations and NonlinearWavesPHY3037  PhotonicsPHY3038  Biophysics

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edgeOur degrees reflect the world-leading physics research atNewcastle and give you the chance to study at the cuttingedge of the discipline.

Your degree content is driven and delivered by academicstaff who are internationally leading researchers in theirfields, as well as being passionate about sharing theirknowledge with students.

Visit our Physics website to find out more about Who's Whoin the Physics team.

Teaching methodsYou will be taught via a range of approaches, including:

• lectures and seminars• small group tutorials• problem classes

• laboratory sessions• practical computing sessions

Typically 60 hours per semester will consist of practicalsessions in our laboratories where you will take part inexperiments and project work.

Assessment methodsAssessment is based on a combination of:

• examinations• computer assessments• problem solving exercises• laboratory reports• individual and group project work

Find out moreVisit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University.

Entry Requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis.

If your qualifications are not listed here, please see ouradditional entry requirements web pages to find out whichother qualifications are considered.

The entrance requirements below apply to 2019 entry.

Maths and Science Requirements – FurtherInformationIf you don’t think you will have the exact Mathematics andScience qualifications referred to in our entry requirementsby the time you need them, you may not be sure what todo. We hope that the following will help.

• If you already have, or are taking, the A level (orequivalent) Maths and Science qualifications specified inour entry requirements, you should apply for stage 1(First Year) entry of the Physics or engineering degreecourse in which you are interested

• If you have a Maths qualification but will not have it at Alevel (or equivalent) when you start your degree, youshould apply for the relevant degree with FoundationYear. We may give you the opportunity to take theNewcastle University Pre-Entry Maths Course* and theoption to start in First Year if we think that this will be thebest route for you

• If you have A level Maths (or equivalent) already but not atthe required grade, you should contact us for advice. Wemay decide that you could be considered for FoundationYear entry, or it may be that our Physics or engineeringcourses are not the best options for you

• If you will not have the equivalent of an A level in theScience subject (if any) required, you should apply for therelevant degree with Foundation Year.

If you are still not sure, do not worry.

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 5

Whatever you apply for, our Admissions Tutors will help youdecide which is the best route for you. They may thereforemake you an offer for a different course (e.g. FoundationYear entry instead of First Year entry) from the one youapply for.

(*The Newcastle University Pre-Entry Maths Course aims toprovide the requisite mathematical skills and conceptsneeded on our engineering and Physics degree courses andto prepare students for the modes of learning they willencounter. The materials for the course are deliveredelectronically and include opportunities to practise yourskills. You study the materials in your own time and, whenyou are ready, you book your exam with the School towhich you have applied. A fee of £150 is payable at the timeof booking the exam or shortly before the date set forexamination.)

A LevelsAAB or A*BB including Mathematics and Physics, andexcluding General Studies and Critical Thinking.Alternatively, ABB including Mathematics and Physics andexcluding General Studies and Critical Thinking andincluding one A level from: Further Maths, Biology,Chemistry, English Literature, Geography, History andModern/Classical Languages or grade 2 in any STEP paper.For all grades: Biology, Chemistry and Physics A levelsrequire a pass in the practical element.

Scottish QualificationsAB at Advanced Higher including Mathematics.  Physics ispreferred at Advanced Higher, but we are willing to considerapplications from candidates offering Higher Physicsalongside Advanced Highers in Mathematics and one ofBiology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Design andManufacture, Engineering Science or Mathematics ofMechanics, on a case-by-case basis.

Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

International Baccalaureate35-37 points with Mathematics and Physics at Higher Levelgrade 6 or above.

Irish Leaving CertificateCandidates will be considered on an individual basis.

Access QualificationsAt least 30 level 3 credits at distinction includingMathematical Studies and Physics and 15 level 3 credits atMerit. A Newcastle University Mathematics and Statisticspre-entry course may also be required.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National ExtendedDiploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3Extended DiplomaCandidates will be considered on an individual basis.

Cambridge Pre-UD3, D3, M2 in Principal Subjects including Mathematics andPhysics.

PARTNERS - A LevelsBBB including Mathematics and Physics, and excludingGeneral Studies. Alternatively, BBC including at least gradeB or 6 in Mathematics and Physics and excluding GeneralStudies and Critical Thinking and including one A level from:Further Maths, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature,Geography, History and Modern/Classical Languages orgrade 2 in any STEP paper. For Biology, Chemistry andPhysics A levels, we require a pass in the practical element.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

PARTNERS - Pearson BTEC Level 3 NationalExtended Diploma/OCR Cambridge TechnicalLevel 3 Extended DiplomaCandidates will be considered on an individual basis.

The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’ssupported entry route for students from schools andcolleges in England and Northern Ireland. Find out moreabout the PARTNERS Programme.

English Language RequirementsApplicants whose first language is not English require aminimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.

If you need help to meet our English Languagerequirements, we can provide support with extra tuition.

Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements.

International Foundation ProgrammesIf you are an international student and you do not meet theacademic and English language requirementsspecified above, you should consider a preparation courseat INTO Newcastle University, which will help to prepare youfor study on this degree course.

INTO Newcastle University is based on the Universitycampus and offers a range of courses including theInternational Foundation in Physical Sciences andEngineering.

Other International QualificationsABB at A level is typically the minimum required for entry toan undergraduate course. You can check the equivalentgrades for qualifications offered in your country.

We will also consider your application if you have lower ornon-standard qualifications.

Undergraduate Admissions Policy

See our 2018 Admissions Policy (PDF: 185 KB).

See further policies related to admission.

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 6

Careers

Physics careersPhysics graduates report earning average salaries close to£27,000 on graduation. Graduates can expect this toincrease over the course of their career(www.savethestudent.org)

Physics graduates can be found in almost every numeratecareer. Possible career paths include:

• engineering• medicine• finance• nanotechnology• oil, gas and renewable energy• telecommunications

Our students will be prepared for their future careersthrough the development of transferrable skills that arehighly valued by employers such as problem-solving,analytical, mathematical, communication, presentation,teamwork and computing skills. The practical, experimentaland research skills developed during the degree will help toenhance the employability of our graduates, as such skillsprovide a sound preparation for a range of careers in thephysical sciences and beyond.

Further study, including postgraduate courses for secondaryschool teaching and PhD courses, are further optionsavailable to physics graduates.

Find out more about the career options for Physics fromProspects: The UK's Official Careers Website.

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

95% of our 2016 UK-domiciled graduates progressedto employment or further study within six months ofgraduating.

Of our graduates who entered employment more than threequarters (78%) achieved a professional or managerialposition.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2019 entry:Tuition fees for 2019-20 have not yet been confirmed.2018 entry*:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2019 entry:Tuition fees for 2019-20 have not yet been confirmed.2018 entry*:£9,250 in 2018-19For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.*Please note:

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 7

Tuition Fees (EU students)

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2019 entry:Tuition fees for 2019-20 have not yet been confirmed.2018 entry*:£21,000 per year*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorterexchange programme).If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightlyyear on year as a result of inflation, as measured byRPIX**.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.**RPIX is a measure of inflation in the UK, equivalent to allthe items in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgageinterest payments.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer our Vice-Chancellor's InternationalScholarships and Vice-Chancellor's ExcellenceScholarships to eligible international students.We also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCASTo apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed by theUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.