Program Overview

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Physics (with Foundation Year), BSc (Hons)

Attendance

Full-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

4 years

UCAS Code

F301

Delivery

In-person

Placement option

If you’re interested in solving problems and finding out how things work, then our Physics degree with a foundation year is a stepping stone to our Physics degrees.

Why study with us

• 1st in the UK for academic support
• 6th in the UK for overall positivity
• 2nd in the North West for student satisfaction
• 5th in the UK for teaching quality

What you’ll do

• Graduates of physics and astrophysics are amongst the most employable in the world, particularly in technical and business sectors.
• The staff who deliver the courses are members of the School’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute and many hold PhDs and are active and renowned researchers.
• During our BSc (Hons)/MPhys Physics or Astrophysics degree courses you’ll get to use specialist physics laboratories, developing your skills to be able to experiment using research equipment, and you’ll have the opportunity to use the University’s Alston Observatory during your course.

Modules

Foundation year

• Foundations of Applied Physics
• Motion, Forces and Force Fields
• The Road to Quantum Mechanics
• Pure Mathematics and Statistics
• Mathematical Methods

Year 1

• Astrophysics I
• Fundamentals of Physics
• Applied and Computational Physics
• Functions, Vectors and Calculus

Year 2

• Principles of Physics
• Properties of Matter
• Measurement, Instrumentation, LabVIEW and Interfacing
• Second Year Laboratory
• Ordinary Differential Equations

Year 3

• Condensed Matter and Surface Physics
• Third Year Laboratory
• Physics/Astronomy Project
• UAS Teaching Placement

Optional modules

• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Atomic Physics and Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Electrodynamics, Plasma and Solar Physics
• Partial Differential Equations and Integral Transforms

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 64 points including 32 from A Level or AS Level Maths and/or Physics
• BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Engineering MPP is accepted alongside GCSE Maths at grade A/7, AS Maths or alternative proof of mathematical ability on a case-by-case basis.
• Pass Access Course: 64 points including 15 credits at level 3 in each of Maths and Physics
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 64 points from Higher Level subjects and Higher Level Maths and Physics
• T Level: P (D or E) in Science or Engineering is accepted alongside GCSE Maths at grade A/7, AS Maths or alternative proof of Mathematical ability on a case-by-case basis.
• IELTS: grade 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• GCSEs: 5 at Grade C/4

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,535 for the first year
• International: £17,250 for the first year

Scholarships and bursaries

• Care Leaver Bursary
• Estranged student support
• Dependants Bursary
• Foundation Year Bursary

Learning and assessment

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Problem classes
• Laboratory work
• Observatory experiments
• Individual project work
• Group work

Further information

• If you are planning a career in scientific research, we would strongly recommend you consider the year longer MPhys (Hons) qualification.