Physics with Foundation Year

Physics underpins everyday life, from the structure of the universe to the smartphone in your hand. Put yourself in position to discover the next scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations with a BSc (Hons) Physics with Foundation Year degree with Salford.

Physics is at the heart of modern life. By having the knowledge to discover future technological advances and find applications for scientific discoveries, qualified physicist are driving our future. We've developed our course to provide you with fundamental and specialist knowledge base ready to build a successful graduate career in teaching, research or industry.

Take your passion for physics further
The foundation year pathway provides subject knowledge and academic development, so you are confident and able for study at a higher level. Along with providing a broad introduction to the key physics and mathematics topics, this learning pathway helps you to build effective communication and study skills. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will progress our Institute of Physics-accredited BSC (Hons) Physics degree for the remainder of your course.

For three further years of study - or four if you choose to include an industry placement, this fascinating three-year programme delivers engaging lectures, tutorial classes and laboratory classes. Physics can be challenging, so we place great emphasis on small group teaching to make you feel fully supported. You’ll have an immersive experience, taking part in group projects to develop team working, problem solving, and communication and presentation skills.

During your studies, you’ll develop an understanding of classical and quantum waves, and properties of matter. You’ll gain advanced knowledge in fields of nuclear and particle physics, Maxwell’s equation and quantum mechanics. You can also choose optional modules in acoustics and nanotechnology.

Collaboration is core to our values, so we strive to embed this as a learning objective throughout your studies. You will experience group projects that will build your confidence and capabilities in team working, problem-solving and communication - all desirable skills for real-world physics careers.

Get closer to industry
Learning takes places in our Peel Park campus, minutes from bustling central Manchester. A unique part of our physics degree is our emphasis on employer engagement. Along with regular guest lecturers and industry visits, we consult with professional physicists from industry to ensure that the course content is robust and relevant for industry and graduate careers.

Once you join the BSc (Hons) degree, you'll also have the option to take an industry placement between years two and three. By successfully completing a placement year, you can also add 'with professional experience' to your final degree award, boosting your graduate employability.

Our new home for physics
In Autumn 2022, we opened our new £65 million hub for science, engineering and the environment - our new home for physics. Sustainability-designed and 100% electric powered, the building offers unrivalled teaching, learning and research facilities and provides exciting new spaces for industry collaboration. Come and take a look!

Features
• Gain the mathematics and physics skills ready to progress on to our BSc (Hons) Physics degree
• Expand your knowledge and understanding in mechanics, quantum physics, electromagnetism and more
• Build analytical, numerical and computer-based problem-solving skills in Maxwell’s Equations and Wave Optics
• Explore classical dynamics, static and dynamic charges, quantum mechanics, fundamentals of relativity and atomic and nuclear physics
• Learn the importance of mathematics in a quantitative description of physics, using symbolic computing and programming

This course is not open to international students.

Foundation Year:

• Foundation Mathematics A and B
• Foundation Physics A and B
• Foundation IT and Study Skills
• Foundation Physics Laboratory

Year One:

• Physics in Context
• Physics Laboratory 1
• Mathematics
• Modelling of Physical Systems
• Mechanics, Relativity and Quantum Physics
• Electricity, Magnetism and Light

Year Two:

• Electromagnetism
• Thermal Physics
• Waves and Optics
• Physics Laboratory 2
• Quantum Physics

Choose one option from:

• Principals of Acoustics
• Group Project in Physics
• University Wide Language Programme

Year Three:

• Project in Physics
• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Physics Laboratory 3

Choose one option from the following:

• Photonics and Nanotechnology
• Astrophysics and Planetary Physics

You will be assessed through a combination of formats:

• Lab exercises
• Examinations
• Reports