Particle Physics with Research Year Abroad (MPhys) drafted
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
This MPhys Particle Physics degree offers a unique opportunity to combine physics with a year studying abroad. You'll spend your fourth year with the international research team at CERN in Geneva and work on a project at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
We offer this flagship course to the best students on our
MPhys Physics
andMPhys Physics with Mathematics
degrees.Experiments at the LHC led to the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the Higgs boson.
Experience at CERN will be recognised by research institutions worldwide, opening up a wide range of career and PhD possibilities.
While at CERN, you’ll work on one of the following experiments:
LHCb, which is investigating differences between matter and antimatter
ATLAS or CMS, both of which are broad research programmes looking for new particles
We’re the only UK university to offer a physics degree with an integrated 1-year placement at CERN.
Program Outline
There are compulsory and optional modules throughout the course. You’ll have the freedom to shape your degree to suit your interests by choosing from a wide range of options, including modules outside physics.
Right from the start you’ll do mini-projects in the lab and apply your analytical and problem-solving skills.
You can also choose to study general relativity - we are one of only a few UK universities to offer this as part of an undergraduate physics degree.
Year 1 overview
This consists of core modules to give you a grounding in the key principles of physics and experimentation.
These include topics on:
physics skills
mathematics
waves and light
energy and matter
motion and relativity
electricity and magnetism
You can also choose from a range of optional modules such as Space Science, Photonics and Linear Algebra.
Year 2 overview
Core topics include
electromagnetism
quantum physics
mechanics
wave physics
You can also choose from a range of optional modules on subjects like:
mathematical models
photonics
medical physics
galaxies
energy in the environment
Year 3 overview
Core modules in year 3 cover everything from particle physics to theories of matter, space and time and atomic physics.
You’ll also do an individual dissertation and pursue your own interests by choosing from a wide range of advanced optional modules.
Year 4 overview
In the fourth year, you’ll do an extended particle physics research project and work with the international research team at
CERN
.Want more detail?
See all the modules in the course.
For Academic year 202324
A-levels
AAA-AAB including grades AA in mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or AABC including grades AA in mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed)
A-levels additional information
A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
More information about A-levelsA-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB including mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) plus grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
or
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 36-34 points overall, with 18-17 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and 6 at Higher Level in physics
International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information
Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at Higher Level can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
More information about International Baccalaureate DiplomaInternational Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
or
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.
We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics
RQF BTEC
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Additional information
Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
More information about BTECQCF BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed).
We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.
We will consider the BTEC Diploma if studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
orEntry requirements filter options
Show more entry requirementsAccess to HE Diploma Irish Leaving Certificate Scottish Qualification offers Cambridge Pre-U Welsh Baccalaureate
Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
Access to HE additional information
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including H1 in mathematics and physics - H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 including mathematics and physics (one of which must be at H1)
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1,A1,A2,A2,A2,A2, including mathematics at A1 and physics at A1
Irish certificate additional information
Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the
University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF)
for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3,D3,D3 - D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including mathematics/further mathematics (minimum grade D3) and physics (minimum grade D3)
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of A Level grade B. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer. Applicants who have not studied the required Principal subjects can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAA-AAB including grades AA in mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or AA from two A-levels including mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) and A-B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate or AABC including grades AA in mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed) or AA from two A-levels including mathematics or further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical (where it is separately endorsed), and grades BC from a third A-level and the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the
equivalent international qualifications
for our entry requirements.English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
overall score
6.5
reading
6.0
writing
6.0
speaking
6.0
listening
6.0
We accept other English language tests.
Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our
Access to Southampton scheme
for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as
recognition of prior learning
)Find out more about our
Admissions Policy
.Students requiring a visa to study in the UK
In addition to the University’s own English language proficiency requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK. The current requirements are that:
English Language Tests
The University of Southampton accepts the following UKVI Secure English Language Tests:
Secure English Language Tests
must be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date
as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.The University of Southampton also accepts the following English Language Tests:
Tests taken at a centralised test centre/venue:
iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) The University of Southampton does not recognise MyBest scores and will only accept scores taken in one sitting within the 2 years immediately preceding the programme start date. Please note, we currently do not accept the TOEFLiBT
Paper Edition.Tests taken at home:
Non-SELT English Language Tests
must usually be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date
as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.
Notes:
* You must present both certificates for the LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Bands FY, A, B, C, D, E) and the LanguageCert Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Bands F, G, H, I)
The University does not recognise any test not listed above.
