Physics BSc (Honours)

Program Overview

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Physics BSc (Honours) 2025 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Physics will allow you to explore the fundamentals of this central science, from classical dynamics to the intriguing theories of quantum mechanics and relativity, and how these and other underpinning ideas may be applied in fields such as electronics, lasers, music, and semiconductors.

The Physics degree programme allows you to develop your knowledge and skills (including computational and lab work) to build competencies that will be useful in a wide range of careers, both in physics-based industry and in areas such as finance and management.

Accreditation

All St Andrews Physics and Astronomy degree programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics for the UK and Ireland.

UCAS code

F301

Start date

September 2025

End date

September 2029

Duration

Four years full time

School

School of Physics and Astronomy

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

SQA Highers

• Standard entry grades: AAAA, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: AAAB, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.
• Gateway entry grades: Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

GCE A-Levels

• Standard entry grades: AAA, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: AAB, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.

IB points

• Standard entry grades: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in both Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL5 in both Mathematics and Physics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

SQA qualifications

• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

GCSE qualifications

• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Students must have studied both Physics and Mathematics at SQA Highers, GCE A-Levels, or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.

Alternative study options

Students interested in this course may also be interested in the following:

Other BSc programmes

• BSc in Astrophysics
• BSc in Mathematics and Physics
• BSc in Philosophy and Physics

Direct entry to second year

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.

Integrated Masters

It is possible for students to take Physics as a five-year Integrated Masters course in Physics, Theoretical Physics or Astrophysics, allowing you to graduate with a Master of Physics. Direct entry into second year for these courses is also possible, allowing you to complete an Integrated Masters degree programme in four years instead of five.

Study abroad

Physics and astronomy students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The BSc in Physics is a four-year course (three years for those taking direct entry to second year) run by the School of Physics and Astronomy. During your degree, you will be introduced to core topics in mainstream physics – such as mechanics, special relativity, waves, quantum physics, light, electricity and magnetism – as well as develop the necessary mathematical, computational, and laboratory skills needed as a physicist. Later in the course, these underpinning skills and knowledge bases may be used to explain and explore a range of contemporary topics.

In the first two years of your studies you will also study modules from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, as mathematics is the language of physics. Depending on how many mathematics modules you choose to do, you may be able to choose modules in other subjects such as astronomy, chemistry, computer science, philosophy, or many other subjects from across the University. The flexible nature of the degree programmes at St Andrews means that by appropriate choice of modules in first and second year, you may be able to change your final degree topic during your course.

You have some choice of modules in first and second year. At the start of third year, your choice of degree title (in the School of Physics and Astronomy) largely determines what set of modules you take in third year. There is significant choice of modules in fourth year.

Final year students carry out a major project, which typically takes one-quarter of their time for the year. This is often carried out in close cooperation with one of the School’s research groups.

The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in physics and mathematics, possibly alongside modules in one or more other subjects.

Typically, you will take one or two physics modules per semester during your first two years, and four to five modules per semester during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).

First year

• Physics 1A: covers the core elements of mechanics, waves and optics, laboratory work, and the physical properties of matter.
• Physics 1B: covers an introduction to quantum physics, the mechanics of rotation and gravity, lasers, and includes laboratory skills.
• Mathematics: introduces the ideas and techniques required for further study of mathematics or applications to other sciences.

This typically leaves two or three other modules that may be chosen from astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, music, or a range of other topics.

Second year

• Physics 2A: covers mechanics, special relativity, oscillations, thermal physics, and laboratory skills.
• Physics 2B: covers quantum physics, electricity, magnetism and classical waves, and laboratory skills.
• Linear Mathematics: introduces the theory of vector spaces, linear independence, linear transformations and diagonalisation.
• Multivariate Calculus: extends the techniques of calculus in a single variable to the setting of real functions of several variables.

This typically leaves room for half a semester of other modules which may be in astronomy, mathematics, or other areas.

Honours

In your third year, you will cover advanced theory and applications in some or all of the following subjects:

• electromagnetism
• electronics
• laboratory skills and investigations
• mathematics for physicists
• quantum mechanics
• thermal and statistical physics

You will also take ‘Transferable Skills for Physicists’ which provides training and practice in advanced written and oral communication skills, problem solving and teamwork.

During fourth year, you will further develop your knowledge and skills in physics in some of the following topics:

• advanced quantum mechanics
• atomic, nuclear, and particle physics
• communication and teaching in science
• condensed matter physics
• fluids
• optoelectronics and nonlinear optics
• physics of music
• principles of lasers
• principles of optics
• signals and information

In fourth year, students undertake a major project which is often carried out within one of the School’s research groups. This provides a great chance to explore physics, and on occasion can lead to a paper in a refereed international scientific journal.

Teaching

• Teaching format: Physics modules are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops and laboratory work.
• Assessment: Most modules are assessed by a mix of coursework and written examinations. In Honours years, assessment depends on the nature of the specific module.
• Support: The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities.

Fees

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535
• EU and overseas: £31,670

Additional costs

There are no additional fees for labs and lab equipment in the School. Most students in the 'Transferable Skills for Physicists' module are normally expected to attend the residential conference weekend in the Scottish countryside, and are asked to make a contribution (currently £40) towards the costs of the weekend.

Joint Honours degrees

You can also take Physics as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.

• UCAS code FG31: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Mathematics and Physics
• UCAS code FV30: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Philosophy and Physics
• UCAS code FGH1: Master in Physics (Honours) Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
• UCAS code FF13: Master in Science (Honours) Chemistry and Physics

Careers

At the end of the degree, graduates should be equipped with the following skills that are valued in a wide range of occupations:

• the ability to determine what information is needed to solve a problem, and a knowledge of where to find or generate such information
• applicable mathematical and computational techniques and where to use them
• knowledge and understanding of fundamental physical laws and principles
• the ability to analyse data and evaluate the level of uncertainty in results
• skills to identify relevant principles and laws of physics when dealing with problems
• communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely

Graduates from the School of Physics and Astronomy have found employment in fields including:

• banking and commerce
• biophysics
• computing
• geophysics
• medical physics
• meteorology
• research and development in industry and in government agencies
• software development
• teaching

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.