Physics BSc (Hons)
Cardiff University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.4) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

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Location

Main Site - Cardiff

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site - Cardiff

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Physics & Astronomy
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A level
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Location

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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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EU
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Course info

**Join a top 10 university for physics in the UK (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2024) in the vibrant, welcoming capital city of Wales.**Physics explores the fundamental laws underpinning the Universe, from the subatomic level to entire galaxies. Study physics and you’ll investigate some of the most exciting developments of our time.During this course, you’ll develop a broad understanding of how theoretical and experimental physics can be used to describe the Universe and gain an insight ...Read more


Join a top 10 university for physics in the UK (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2024) in the vibrant, welcoming capital city of Wales.

Physics explores the fundamental laws underpinning the Universe, from the subatomic level to entire galaxies. Study physics and you’ll investigate some of the most exciting developments of our time.During this course, you’ll develop a broad understanding of how theoretical and experimental physics can be used to describe the Universe and gain an insight into how physics shapes modern technologies – from the tiniest semiconductor chip to the most powerful laser.At Cardiff University, we have been part of many new discoveries, from the detection of gravitational waves to the development of technologies around quantum dots, which will help scientists and engineers of the future optimise device efficiency fields from power generation to medical imaging.You’ll be taught by staff whose research is leading to these discoveries, gaining the fundamental skills for a wide range of careers which require a practical andanalytical approach to problem-solving. Highly sought after by employers, our graduates go on to a range of careers from research science and aerospace to data analysis, finance and more. In year one, you’ll take core modules from mechanics and matter to electromagnetism and waves, giving you a solid foundation in physics, mathematics and computing, while gaining the confidence to design and conduct experiments in the laboratory.In your second and final years, you’ll study a range of topics from quantum mechanics and optics to atomic and nuclear physics, with the option to specialise in what interests you most through a broad spectrum of optional modules. Key computing skills are taught throughout the course including programming using python.In the final year of your BSc, you’ll also undertake a physics project with one of our top researchers, choosing from the wide range of research activities in the department.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
22/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
21st
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
27th
Physics
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Physics graduate salary at this uni
£24,000
UK Physics graduate salary
£24,000
What students say
J
Juliette
14 Dec 24

The student union is EPIC but the acommodation isnt..Read more

M
Megan
12 Dec 24

The student life and student's union are genuinely incredible. I am on placement this year and can't wait to come back to Cardiff! The facilities and student support, however,..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBB - AAB Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

A Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 - 31 Grades / Points required

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

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

T Level:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

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

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

To include Maths and Physics. Applicants taking Maths without Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade A in Maths. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be "AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ". Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.

34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. To include HL Maths and HL Physics. Applicants taking HL Maths without HL Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade 6 in HL Maths.

DD-DM in a BTEC Diploma in science and engineering subjects and grade A in Maths A-Level or D in any BTEC subject and grades BB in Maths and Physics A-Level.

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Popular A-level subjects

Physics

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Mathematics
94%
Physics
88%
Chemistry
33%
Biology
18%
Further Mathematics
17%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,000 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28,200 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28,200 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£28200 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Physics (General) reviews

Physics (General)
Physics (General)
J
Juliette
14 Dec 24
Physics BSc (Hons)
The student union is EPIC but the acommodation isnt...
Read more
M
Megan
12 Dec 24
Physics with Astronomy (with Professional Placement) BSc (Hons)
The student life and student's union are genuinely incredible. I am on placement this year and can't wait to come back to Cardiff! The facilities and student support, however,...
Read more
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How Physics (General) students rated:

Student rating
( 4.2) 14 reviews
5 star
36%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
14%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.4) 3,101 reviews
5 star
46%
4 stars
47%
3 stars
7%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%
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Uni info

Cardiff University
30-36 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 0DE United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Cardiff Queen Street  0.1 miles away
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