Physics BSc (Hons)
University of Bristol
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1) 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

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

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

Location

Main Site

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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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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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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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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England
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Course info

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.Physics focuses on the fundamental building blocks and forces of nature. It explores how quantum physics and relativity help us to comprehend the world around us. Topics range from the infinitesimal scale of particle and nuclear physics to the cosmic scale of galaxies and the Universe.Year one gives you a comprehensive grounding in physics and ...Read more

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.Physics focuses on the fundamental building blocks and forces of nature. It explores how quantum physics and relativity help us to comprehend the world around us. Topics range from the infinitesimal scale of particle and nuclear physics to the cosmic scale of galaxies and the Universe.Year one gives you a comprehensive grounding in physics and mathematics. In year two, you will develop a fundamental understanding of the principles of physics. This includes practical work in the laboratory and computational physics.Flexibility and choice are key features of a Bristol Physics degree. A wide range of units in your final year means you can specialise in the topics that you find most fascinating.In your third year, you will undertake a major project or dissertation. Project options include:- conducting original research as part of one of our research groups;- the Physics Education scheme centred on teaching in a school;- the Industrial Group Project, based on a real problem set by industrial partners. Past partners have included Sellafield, Bristol Zoo, Siemens and The Fat Duck restaurant.Join our friendly department with a very active, award-winning student society. We provide physics-specific employability sessions and we support you to develop a broad range of transferable skills. These include problem-solving and the ability to communicate complicated concepts.Our graduates have an excellent record of employment post-study. This is a testament to the value that employers place on these skills.Think Big bursaries of £3,000 are available to support first-year international undergraduate students in this subject area.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
86/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
9th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
16th
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 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
85%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Physics graduate salary at this uni
£28,000
UK Physics graduate salary
£26,000
What students say
J
Jude
06 Dec 23

Everything is great but it's quite expensive..Read more

H
Harry
11 Nov 22

Good study spaces, generally up to date..Read more

Modules

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

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB - A*AA Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

AAAAA Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

AA Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:30,M:15 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 - 38 Grades / Points required

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

D*DD Grades / Points required

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

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

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.

Standard Higher: AAAAA.

Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and Physics.

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 specified Physics units. Plus successful completion of a University of Bristol test and interview (or A at A-Level or equivalent in Mathematics and Physics).Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Popular A-level subjects

Physics

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

Mathematics
98%
Physics
97%
Chemistry
52%
Further Mathematics
40%
Biology
7%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 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.

£9,250 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.

£9,250 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.

£9,250 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.

£9,250 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.

£30,400 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.

£30,400 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.

£30400 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Physics (General) reviews

Physics (General)
Physics (General)
J
Jude
06 Dec 23
Physics with Computing MSci (Hons)
Everything is great but it's quite expensive...
Read more
H
Harry
11 Nov 22
Mathematics and Physics BSc (Hons)
Good study spaces, generally up to date...
Read more
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How Physics (General) students rated:

Student rating
( 3.7) 9 reviews
5 star
12%
4 stars
55%
3 stars
22%
2 stars
11%
1 star
0%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 1,255 reviews
5 star
31%
4 stars
55%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
1%
1 star
1%
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Uni info

University of Bristol
Beacon House Queens Road Bristol BS8 1QU United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Clifton Down  0.2 miles away
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