Course contact details
Applicant Enquiry Team
Email:ask@uws.ac.uk
Phone:0800 027 1000
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE
Physics with Education
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- 4 Years
- Full-Time
- 7 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Paisley Campus
Course summary
OVERVIEW
This programme contains all of the core material of the physics programme – including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and atomic, nuclear and particle physics – combined with material taught by our education department.
The Education material is taught in Years 3 and 4. You will get professional experience with placements in schools throughout Year 4.
You will graduate from the programme eligible for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and entry to the Teaching Induction Scheme as a secondary school teacher of physics.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
• This programme combines an IOP-accredited physics degree with the training necessary to become a physics teacher.
• You will get classroom experience in three schools placements during Year 4 of the programme.
• There is a high demand for secondary-school physics teachers in Scotland and the UK.
• The physics modules are delivered by staff who are carrying out research at the forefront of their fields.
• The programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics, which allows you to register as a Chartered Physicist following graduation.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Our campuses are home to modern classrooms, state-of-the-art teaching facilities, and well-equipped laboratories that will help you learn the relevant theoretical principles and practical skills required for a career in physics and teaching.
CAREERS
There is high demand for physics graduates in industries including microelectronic telecommunications, optics, energy, teaching and research. Following graduation from the BSc (Hons) Physics with Education programme, graduates are provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and are eligible for a one-year paid induction post in a Scottish secondary school.
Modules
Course Modules
Year 1
You will undertake five core modules and one optional module. Core modules include physics and mathematics. Aspects of atomic physics and thermodynamics are also taught.
Year 2
You will cover other areas including electronics, vibrations and waves, and mathematical modelling. Practical and professional scientific skills are also developed.
Year 3
You will take four core physics modules covering important aspects of physics such as quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics and statistical physics. You will also take a double-weighted module in education focusing on the policies and influences in education.
Year 4
You will spend eighteen weeks on school experience placements in at least two high schools.
The five blocks of placement will enable students to connect theory and practice in relation to teaching and assessment of physics and general science, and develop an understanding of wider school issues.
Assessment method
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.
This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including:
• Written examinations
• Coursework
• Practical assessment.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Has qualified teacher status
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:
- PE30
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 3
- Year 4
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
Before progressing to Year 3, students must meet the following requirements: (i) English at SCQF Level 6 (e.g. Higher) (ii) Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (e.g. National 5, Standard Grade (Grade 1 or 2), Intermediate 2. (iii) Successful interview with School of Education. (iv) Students who are offered the opportunity to progress to Year 3 of this programme must apply for and obtain membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
Additional entry requirements
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) / Disclosure Scotland Check
- Interview
- A successful interview is required for admission to year 3 of this programme
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-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.
Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. For more information, please visit our website using the link below.
Learn more on the University of the West of Scotland website
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.
Historical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820* | |
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £9790 | |
| EU & International | £18900* |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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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