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Studies & Degrees in Chemical Physics

Chemical physics studies matter at the point where chemistry and physics meet. It uses the theories and instruments of physics, such as quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and laser spectroscopy, to explain how atoms and molecules are built, how they move and how they react. The University of Bristol defines it as the study of matter, covering fundamental and applied science. The University of California, Davis describes its degree as chemistry focused on the interface of chemistry and physics, for example the experimental measurement and theoretical calculation of the detailed properties and behaviour of atoms and molecules.

The subject is close to physical chemistry, and many universities teach both in the same department. A chemical physics student takes more physics and mathematics than a chemistry student and more laboratory chemistry than a physics student. Typical topics are quantum chemistry, statistical thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, spectroscopy, computational modelling, materials science and nanoscience.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree in the United Kingdom. The University of Bristol offers a BSc Chemical Physics of 3 years full-time and an MSci of 4 years, which also exists with industrial experience. The first year covers chemistry, physics and mathematics; later years turn to atomic and molecular science and to topics such as materials science and nanoscience. All Bristol chemical physics courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
  • Bachelor's degree in the United States. Chemical physics is a major or an emphasis inside a four-year Bachelor of Science. At UC Davis the Chemical Physics BS requires a minimum of 110 units in the major, according to the 2026-27 catalog. At San Diego State University the BS in Chemistry, accredited by the American Chemical Society, allows a specialisation in chemical physics.
  • Bachelor's degree (grado) in Spain. Spanish universities teach the field as química física, one of the main areas of the bachelor's degree in Chemistry. Official bachelor's degrees have 240 ECTS credits; the Grado en Química of the Universidad de Alcalá, for example, lasts 4 years. At the Universidad de Cádiz the Departamento de Química Física teaches the quantum, thermodynamic and kinetic foundations of the chemistry degree.
  • Master's degree and PhD. Research careers normally need graduate study. In Spain an official master's degree has 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. In the United States many students enter a PhD programme in chemistry, physics or chemical physics after the bachelor's degree.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 11 active schools for chemical physics: 5 in the United States, 3 in Spain, 2 in the United Kingdom and 1 in Bermuda. The two British universities are the University of Bristol and The University of Edinburgh. The Spanish ones are the Universidad de Cádiz, the Universidad de Alcalá and the Universidad de Huelva; the chemistry degree at Alcalá is taught in Spanish. The schools in the United States include San Diego State University, the University of California San Diego, the University of California, Davis, Harvard University and the University of Minnesota.

Entry is demanding in mathematics and science. Bristol's standard A-level offer for the BSc for 2027 entry is AAA including Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Its published tuition fee for the first year is £10,050 for home students and £32,500 for international students, subject to annual review. When comparing programmes, look at how the timetable is divided between the two departments, how much laboratory and computing work is included and whether a research project in a research group is part of the final year.

Careers

Graduates work in research and development or continue to a doctorate. UC Davis states that its graduates are prepared for employment in technology, energy, laser science, materials science and solid-state chemistry, and for graduate study in fields such as computational chemistry and nanomaterials. Bristol reports that many of its graduates use their skills in finance, materials science, manufacturing and computer programming, while others follow research careers.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not count chemical physicists separately. For the two nearest occupations it projects growth in the United States of 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, both for chemists and materials scientists and for physicists and astronomers. Chemists typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree or PhD for some jobs such as research positions; physicists typically need a PhD for jobs in research and academia.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between chemical physics and physical chemistry?

They cover much of the same ground. Physical chemistry is a branch of chemistry that studies how matter behaves and how reactions occur; chemical physics approaches the same questions with more physics and mathematics, and is usually a joint programme of the chemistry and physics departments.

How long does a chemical physics degree take?

At the University of Bristol the BSc takes 3 years and the MSci 4 years. In the United States it is part of a four-year bachelor's degree, and in Spain the bachelor's degree in Chemistry has 240 ECTS credits over 4 years.

Which school subjects do I need?

Chemistry, physics and mathematics. Bristol, for example, asks for all three at A-level.

Can I study chemical physics in Spain?

Yes, as química física within the bachelor's degree in Chemistry, and later in master's and doctoral programmes. The directory lists the universities of Cádiz, Alcalá and Huelva for this subject.