Program Overview

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Physical Sciences, BSc

Introduction

This broad-based degree is designed for individuals seeking to gain a profound understanding of physical concepts and address real-world scientific challenges. You will gain the strong critical thinking, technical problem-solving, and empirical observation skills required for a career in many science-based industries or professions such as science journalism.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: BSc
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: F302
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

Many students have a passionate interest in science and technology but seek to study a broader degree than just physics or just chemistry. The Physical Sciences programme addresses this need by enabling you to study a mix of courses from across the physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and so on.

This degree programme follows a similar structure to the standard Physics degree, however, the flexibility allows for a mix of courses that involve no compulsory Mathematics courses. This aspect appeals to students who have a strong interest in this area, but are put off by the mathematical components.

Aberdeen Global Scholarship

The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • The Physical Universe A (PX1015)
  • Calculus 1 (MA1005)
  • The Physical Universe B (PX1513)
• Optional Courses: Plus 15 further credit points from courses in Physical Sciences at Level 1. Plus 60 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Light Science (PX2013)
  • Dynamical Phenomena (PX2015)
  • Practical Optics and Electronics (PX2505)
  • Relativity and Quantum Mechanics (PX2510)
• Optional Courses: Plus 30 further credit points from courses in Physical Sciences at Level 1 or 2. Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses: 30 credit points from the courses listed below in each half-session:
  • Energy and Matter (PX3014)
  • Introduction to the Solid State (PX3016)
  • Optics and Photonics (PX3021)
  • Advanced Practical Physics (PX3510)
  • Quantum Mechanics (PX3511)
  • Electricity and Magnetism (PX3512)
• Optional Courses: Structure of Matter and the Universe (PX4510) OR Nuclear and Semiconductor Physics (PX4516). Plus 30 further credit points from courses in Physical Sciences at Level 3. Plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.

Year 4

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Project (PX4013)
  • Statistical Physics and Stochastic Systems (PX4012)
  • Case Studies in Physical Sciences (PX4007)
  • Modelling Theory (PX4514)
• Optional Courses: Structure of Matter and the Universe (PX4510) OR Nuclear and Semiconductor Physics (PX4516). Plus 15 further credit points from courses in Physical Sciences at Level 3 or 4. Plus 15 credit points from courses of choice.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Group Projects
• Individual Projects
• Lab Work
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies learnt on the course; and
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, year of study, and individual courses.

Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Why Study Physical Sciences?

Why Physics

• We are ranked 6th in the UK for Physics - The Guardian University Guide 2024
• 2nd in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction - NSS 2023
• Our BSc Physics degree is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
• We also offer a broad-based, less mathematical degree in Physical Science that allows the combination of Physics courses with a wide choice of other subjects.
• The Physics and Astronomy Society is open to any students with an interest in physics or astronomy and organises a series of talks, experimental sessions, astronomy nights, trips, game nights, and numerous social outings.
• We are engaged in a wide range of research areas ranging from the fundamental nature of the universe through to understanding the atomic structure of complex materials and semiconductor device physics.
• Our graduates go in to a huge range of jobs including; Meteorology, Medical physics, Environmental monitoring, Astronomy, Particle physics, Geophysics, Materials science, Invention Design, Teaching, Financial Modelling.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL, with two Mathematics/ Science subjects at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 including a minimum of H3 from two Science or Mathematics subjects.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year:
  • England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
  • EU / International students: £24,800
  • Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme.
  • Home Students: £1,820

Careers

There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience, and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

Our Experts

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows, and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change.

Features

• Learn from world-class experts
• Sir Duncan Rice Library

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• BSc Computing Science and Physics
• BSc Geology and Physics
• BSc Mathematics and Physics
• MA Natural Philosophy
• MA Philosophy and Physics
• BSc Physics
• BSc Physics with Geology
• BSc Physics with Philosophy

Discover Uni

Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.

• 73% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
• 100% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.