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Physics with Theoretical Physics

Course details
  • Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Explore the more mathematical and theoretical aspects of physics through our Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc course.

We will provide you with a solid grounding in all aspects of physics - both theoretical and experimental - with lectures and project work forming a significant portion of the theoretical physics component.

In the first two years you will study the topics of advanced mechanics, advanced mathematics and computational physics, while in the third year you will have the opportunity to study, in greater depth, the topics that are of particular interest to you. Examples include quantum theory, electrodynamics and general relativity.

Our Department of Physics and Astronomy is renowned around the world, and our facilities are second to none. Working with leading academics, you will be well placed to progress along your physics journey from here.

Modules

Assessment method

Course units are normally assessed formally at the end of the semester via examinations. Laboratory or computer based course units also employ assignments and other methods of continuous assessment.

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

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:
F345
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
A*A*A

AAA, including A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider applying to our integrated foundation year .

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

Typical Contextual Offer: AAA, including Physics and Mathematics or Further Mathematics. The A must be in Physics, Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Find out more about contextual admissions .

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, any offer will be based on three A Levels, and any additional A Levels won’t be included in your offer. Any offer will normally be based on three A Levels taken in the same sitting and based on your qualification portfolio. Your offer will stipulate which subjects and the grades required.

If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider applying to our integrated foundation year .

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements.

T Level

We do not accept T Levels as entry onto this programme. The University does accept T Level qualifications on a number of courses. Please review our T Level information page for a full list.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations:

Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA, including Physics and Mathematics.

Or

Two Advanced Highers with grades AA in Physics and Mathematics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Department Admissions Team.

AS

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Access to HE Diploma

Given that it is not possible to meet our published offer conditions within an Access to HE Diploma, we would not recommend this qualification as the best way of preparing for our courses. However, we would look very carefully at any applications from exceptional Access students, studying a relevant Access to HE Diploma, who were on track to gain the AAA equivalent (45 graded credits at Level 3 with Distinction grade).

We would treat any such exceptional students on a case-by-case basis, looking very carefully at past academic history and the academic reference; promising candidates would be invited to interview to add supplementary information. A decision would be made about entry holistically on the basis of all information (including details of the course undertaken) and would usually be conditional on the above standard.

As each application is considered individually, applicants should contact the Department Admissions Team to discuss their particular circumstances before applying.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSE/IGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least grade 4/C in GCSE/IGCSE English Language, including grade 1 or 2 in the oral exam component if applicable, and grade 4/C in GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics.

GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language.

Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations:

Three Advanced Highers with grades AAA, including Physics and Mathematics.

Or

Two Advanced Highers with grades AA in Physics and Mathematics and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects.

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Department Admissions Team.

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

We consider the National Diploma in any subject for entry with grades DD when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview, if applicable.

A number of our academic Departments may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
DD

We consider the Technical Diploma in any subject for entry with grades DD when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 38

38 points overall with 7,7,6 at Higher Level, including 7 in both Physics and Mathematics.

We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

We do not consider the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme (IBCP) for entry onto our undergraduate programmes.

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

We consider the National Extended Diploma in any subject for entry with grades DDD when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma in any subject for entry with grade D when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
DDD

We consider the Technical Extended Diploma in any subject for entry with grades DDD when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

We consider the National Extended Certificate in any subject for entry with grade D when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma

We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma in any subject for entry with grade D when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
D

We consider the Technical Extended Certificate in any subject for entry with grade D when taken with two A-Levels at grades A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate/WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales qualification.

We would consider this qualification at grade A when taken with two A-levels at grades AA in Physics and Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester International Foundation Programme in Science and Engineering are required to achieve grades AAA with A* in Physics and A* in Technical Mathematics or Further Mathematics, and grade C overall with no component below C in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or English for Academic Purposes for Proficient Users (EAPPU). Integrated Mathematics is not considered an acceptable mathematics subject. INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester students are required to attend an interview.

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year in Science and Engineering are required to achieve grades AAA with A* in Physics and A* in Technical Mathematics or Further Mathematics, and grade C overall with no component below C in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or English for Academic Purposes for Proficient Users (EAPPU). Integrated Mathematics is not considered an acceptable mathematics subject.

Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the academic School to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI 6.0 overall with no sub-skill below 5.5.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade 4/C, or; IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI 6.0 overall with no sub-skill below 5.5, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Where specified, we also require grade 1 or 2 in the Oral Exam component of the IGCSE English Language (first or second language) qualification. Please note we accept in-person IELTS tests taken in official IELTS test centres only. You should review our English Language requirements page for a list of acceptable IELTS tests. If you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School/Department for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (common European Framework (CEFR B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level.https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

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 operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

International entry requirements

The University welcomes applications from appropriately qualified candidates across the world. We value global talent and are proud to receive applications from a wide range of educational systems and national backgrounds.

Because international qualifications vary widely, it is not possible for us to list entry information for every country on this page. If your country is not listed below, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to assist you: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/contact-international-team/ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/country-specific-information/

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

The tuition fees for 2027 are yet to be confirmed.

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