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Physics Foundation Year

  • Fd cert
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site (Newcastle)
More about Newcastle University

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

This foundation year will help you develop the knowledge you need to progress to one of our Physics BSc degrees.

No physics or mathematics A-Level needed. This foundation year is designed for students without A-Level (or equivalent) qualifications in mathematics or physics. It will provide you with the essential knowledge needed to progress to a Physics BSc or MPhys degree.

The full-time programme covers core topics in physics and mathematics, including:
mechanics
statistics
materials science
electrical circuit analysis

You'll also explore fundamental physics concepts such as:
forces
energy
atomic structure
radioactivity
chemistry
data analysis
computational techniques

Progression
On completion of the foundation year, you're guaranteed a place in Stage 1 of these degrees:
Physics BSc Honours
Theoretical Physics BSc Honours
Physics with Astrophysics BSc Honours
Physics MPhys
Theoretical Physics MPhys
Physics with Astrophysics MPhys

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site (Newcastle)

Study options

  • Fd cert • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • 21 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F304
Institution code:
N21
Campus name:
Main Site (Newcastle)
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Newcastle University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

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:
F304
Institution code:
N21
Campus name:
Main Site (Newcastle)
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
AAB

AAB excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking OR ABB if at least one A level from: Maths, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Geography, History, Physics and Modern/Classical Languages or grade 2 in any STEP paper.

Equivalent A level grades will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

GCSE grade B or 6 in Mathematics and Physics (or Dual Award Science) required. When Maths or Physics A levels are taken we require a minimum grade B.

Applicants who have, or are currently studying, A-levels in Maths AND Physics should apply for one of our Physics degrees without a foundation year.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

Overall DDD in a science or engineering discipline. GCSE grade B or 6 in Mathematics and Physics (or Dual Award Science) required.

Access to HE Diploma
D: 45 credits M: 0 credits P: 0 credits

45 level 3 credits at Distinction. Grade B or 6 in GCSE Mathematics and Physics (or Dual Award Science) required if not offered at a higher level.

Scottish Higher
AAABB

AAABB at including AB at Advanced Higher Level.

Mathematics and Physics required at National 5, minimum grade B (or grade 2 Standard Grade or Intermediate 2 equivalent) if not offered at Higher Grade. Where a candidate has bypassed the assessment for National 5 qualifications, a minimum of grade C in the Higher in Mathematics and Physics is required.

Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.

Applicants who have, or are currently studying, Advanced Higher Level in Maths AND Physics should apply for one of our Physics degrees without a foundation year.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 points

GCSE grade B or 6 in Mathematics and Physics (or Dual Award Science) required.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H1, H2, H2, H3

H1H1H2H2H3 at Higher Level. Mathematics and Physics preferred at Higher Level but accepted at Ordinary Level grade O3 if not offered at Higher Level.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, D3, M2

In Principle Subjects. Grade B or 6 in GCSE Mathematics and Physics (or Dual Award Science) required.

English language requirements

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/international/language/#overviewhttps://www.ncl.ac.uk/international/language/#overview

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

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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