Program Overview

Physics MPhys

The Physics MPhys course is an accredited program that provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills required for a successful career in physics. The course is designed to give students a deep understanding of the laws that shape the universe, and it includes a research project in the final year.

Course Description

The course is a four-year accredited MPhys Physics program that covers a wide range of topics, including heat, motion, quantum mechanics, and research methods. Students will have the opportunity to explore the extraordinary scale of the field of physics and work on a major research project with our Institute of Physics accredited course.

Modules

The course includes a range of modules, such as:

• Fundamental Physics and Mathematics I: Mechanics, Oscillations, Waves and Thermal Physics
• Fundamental Physics and Mathematics II: Electricity, Magnetism and Quantum Physics
• Investigating Nature: the Physicist's Toolbox
• Optional modules, including Frontiers of Physics, Introduction to Astrophysics, and Introduction to Electric and Electronic Circuits

Learning and Assessment

Students will learn through lectures, small group tutorials, programming classes, practical sessions in the lab, and research projects. Assessment will be based on a portfolio of problem sets and lab work, as well as exams, essays, lab reports, and presentations.

Entry Requirements

The standard offer for this course is AAA at A Level, including Maths and Physics, with a pass in the practical element of any science A Levels taken. Alternative qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate, BTEC Extended Diploma, and Access to HE Diploma, are also accepted.

Graduate Careers

Graduates of this course will have a wide range of career options, including computer programming, software engineering, data science, and research and development roles. Many graduates also choose to pursue a research career, with some going on to work at top universities or major international research facilities.

Department

The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is leading the way with groundbreaking research and innovative teaching. Our physics and astronomy researchers are focusing on some of the biggest questions in science, such as how to build a quantum computer, how to detect dark matter, and how to distribute clean energy.

Facilities

Physics and astronomy students are based in the Hicks Building, which has classrooms, lecture theatres, computer rooms, and specialist undergraduate teaching laboratories. We have telescopes and a solar technology testbed on the roof, and run a telescope at the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes on La Palma in the Canary Islands.

University Rankings

The University of Sheffield is a world top-100 university, ranked 92nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. We are also number one in the Russell Group for student experience, based on aggregate responses to the National Student Survey 2025.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry have not been confirmed, but the 2025 annual tuition fee is £9,535 for home students and £30,570 for overseas students. We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to help fund your study, including automatic scholarships worth up to £10,000 for overseas fee-paying students.

Placements and Study Abroad

You may have the opportunity to add an optional industrial placement year as part of your course, converting the four-year course to a five-year Degree with an Industrial Placement Year. We also offer study abroad opportunities, with over 250 University partners worldwide. Popular destinations include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.