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Theoretical Physics
MSci · 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.
Studying Theoretical Physics, you will learn how to understand and predict phenomena in the physical world, based on a conceptual and mathematical understanding of the laws of the universe.
Your first year will follow the structure of the MSci Physics course, after which there will be a greater focus on developing your theoretical methods.
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.
Join our friendly department with a very 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 of how to apply 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 Theoretical 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
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- MSci • Full-time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
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:
- F340
- Institution code:
- B78
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Bristol 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:
- F340
- 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/
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 Physics units.
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.
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.
- Data from:
- This course and 16 other physics courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A*
- Highest grades
- ABB
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £31300 | Year 1 |
| International | £31300 | Year 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.
Sponsorship information
This course is accredited by the following organisations:
The Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.
University of Bristol
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Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:choosebristol-ug@bristol.ac.uk
Phone:0117 394 1649
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