| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Cardiff University's Physics (MPhys) program offers a comprehensive four-year curriculum with a balance of core and optional modules. Students develop a strong foundation in theoretical and experimental physics, along with mathematical and computational skills. The program emphasizes understanding, problem-solving, and research through a range of teaching methods and assessments. Graduates pursue diverse careers in research, data analysis, finance, and other fields requiring analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Program Outline
Outline:
- Program structure: This is a four-year full-time degree program with a carefully chosen balance of core modules and optional modules.
- Year 1: Focuses on stimulating interest in physics while building a strong foundation for later years.
- Year 2: Continues building on core physics material with the opportunity for optional modules.
- Year 3: Allows for specialization and in-depth study of selected topics, including a 20-credit physics-related research project.
- Year 4: Features a significant final-year project (60 credits) linked to the School's research, offering professional development and training.
Assessment:
- A
- combination of
- continuous assessment and end-of-semester exams , with some modules solely based on continuous assessment.
- Assessment methods include:
- Class discussions
- Written work comments
- Review of solutions
- Laboratory experiments (increasing in open-endedness throughout the course)
- Final-year project components:
- Fixed-format summary
- Self-assessment
- Final dissertation
- Research presentation
- Viva (interview with supervisor and assessor)
Teaching:
- range of teaching techniques
- Emphasis on building understanding with a systematic structure.
- Integral role of exercises: Applying knowledge, critical awareness, and problem-solving skills development.
- Weekly laboratory classes in years 1 and 2, preparing for year-3 and year-4 project work.
- Mathematics taught alongside core concepts, with specific modules dedicated to it in year one.
- IT and programming skills taught in year one, with opportunities for further development.
- Regular small-group tutorials in years 1 and 2 for feedback on continuous assessment.
Careers:
- Graduates pursue careers in diverse fields such as:
- Research Scientist
- Statistician
- Data Analyst
- Science Communicator
- Finance and Banking
- Airline Pilot
- Software Engineer
- Teacher
- Placement year option: Available between years 2 and 3 for gaining experience in relevant industries or organizations, extending the degree to five years.
- Notable past employers:
- Rolls Royce
- European Space Agency
- Lockheed Martin
- Tata Steel
- National Instruments
- Barclays
Other:
- Learning Central
- Personal development is facilitated through Learning Central's Personal Development Planning module.
- theoretical and experimental physics
- designed
Fees for home status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Additional costs
The School covers the cost of essential equipment, including core course textbooks in the first two years. All other suggested textbooks are available through the University libraries.
Course specific equipment
The University will provide all necessary equipment. It will also provide the core first-year physics and maths textbooks. You may choose to buy additional textbooks following advice from staff. You may also wish to consider purchasing a personal computer, laptop or tablet device, although specific computing facilities are available on site.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
