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Physics

Msci (Hon) · 4 Years · Full-time · 09/2026 · UndergraduateMain Site

Course summary

Join a University ranked in the UK top five for Physics research (THE analysis of REF 2021) with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning.

Physics focuses on the fundamental building blocks and forces of nature. It explores how quantum physics and relativity help us to comprehend the world around us. Topics range from the infinitesimal scale of particle and nuclear physics to the cosmic scale of galaxies and the Universe.

MSci courses allow you to study advanced research-led material in your final year, developing originality in your application of knowledge and development of advanced techniques to solve problems.

Year one gives you a comprehensive grounding in physics and mathematics, as well as introducing you to the practical and computing skills essential for physics. In year two, you will develop a fundamental understanding of the principles of physics. This includes investigative work in the laboratory and further computational physics.

Flexibility and choice are key features of a Bristol Physics degree. A wide range of units in your third and fourth years means that you can specialise in the topics that you find most fascinating.

In your final year, you will undertake a major project, working within a research group under the supervision of one of our academics. Our students' final year projects address questions at the frontier of our research fields. The most successful have been published in scientific journals.

Join our friendly department with an active, award-winning student society. We support you to develop a broad range of experimental, theoretical and analytical skills, as well as to develop your understanding and creativity in applying your skills more widely. These are vital for a career in research or industry.

Our graduates have an excellent record of employment across a range of industries. This is a testament to the value that employers place on these skills.

Think Big bursaries (https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/scholarships/think-big-undergraduate/) of £3,000 are available to support first-year international undergraduate students in this subject area.

Accreditations
Our Physics MSci is accredited by IOP (https://www.iop.org/education/support-work-higher-education/degree-accreditation-recognition).

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • Physics, Institute of

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F303
Institution code:
B78
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate study. If you studied at a school, college or university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualification equivalences, scholarships and details of our education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - A*AA - AAB

Standard offer: A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and Physics. Contextual offer: AAB including AA in Mathematics and Physics. Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD

D*DD in Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four specified Physics units, AND A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent).

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Mathematics units (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry); and at least 12 credits at Distinction from specified Physics units. Plus successful completion of a University of Bristol test and interview (or A at A-Level or equivalent in Mathematics and Physics). Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Scottish Higher - AAAAA

Standard Higher: AAAAA.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AA

Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and Physics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 - 38 points

Standard offer: 38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7, 6 (in any order) at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics. Contextual offer: 34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics. Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales or the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. We consider a large range of contextual factors when making application decisions.

If you receive and accept an offer from the University of Bristol, and you meet the terms of your offer in full, you will be accepted.

Learn more on the University of Bristol website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

45 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

75 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£31300Year 1
International£31300Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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