Physics Schools and Programs in The United Kingdom

Physics Studies in The United Kingdom

Physics in the United Kingdom is taught as a three-year bachelor's degree (BSc) or as a four-year integrated master's (MPhys or MSci) that goes straight on to master's level. This directory lists 31 schools for physics in the UK, six of them in London and four in Edinburgh.

How the degree is organised

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a BSc with honours is a level 6 qualification and normally takes three years full time, as at The University of Manchester, Imperial College London, Lancaster University and The University of Sheffield. The integrated master's is a level 7 qualification that adds a fourth year. Students often choose between the two routes after starting: at Manchester it is possible to transfer to the four-year MPhys at the beginning of the third year, the University of Southampton shares the first two years between its BSc and its 4-year MPhys, and King's College London offers an MSci with a fourth year. In Scotland, degree-level study usually takes four years; the University of St Andrews offers Physics BSc (Hons), Physics MPhys (Hons) and Theoretical Physics MPhys (Hons).

Manchester describes its course as covering the basics of classical physics and progressing to modern topics such as atomic and molecular structure. After a first degree, a taught MSc usually takes one year, as the MSc in Physics at Imperial College London does, and a doctorate (PhD) is a level 8 qualification.

• BSc (Hons): three years (four in Scotland), level 6
• MPhys or MSci (integrated master's): four years, level 7
• MSc: usually one year after a bachelor's degree
• PhD: level 8

Accreditation

The Institute of Physics (IOP) accredits physics degrees. The courses cited here at Imperial College London, Southampton, King's College London, Lancaster and Sheffield all state that they are IOP-accredited; Sheffield specifies that its BSc is accredited for fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.

Where to study

London examples in this directory are Imperial College London, King's College London and University College London, with Royal Holloway University of London nearby in Egham. In Scotland the list includes The University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, the University of St Andrews, the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and the University of Aberdeen. Other universities listed are the University of Oxford, The University of Manchester, the University of Bristol, The University of Warwick, The University of York, Lancaster University, The University of Sheffield, the University of Southampton, and in Wales Cardiff University and Swansea University.

Admission and English level

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements, usually stated as A levels, and many accept equivalent international qualifications. UK ENIC, the official organisation for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, issues statements that compare a foreign qualification with the UK system. Physics degrees ask for mathematics and physics. Manchester asks for A*A*A including A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics; Imperial sets a minimum of A*A*A and uses an admissions test (ESAT) and interview; King's College London and Lancaster ask for AAA and Sheffield for AAB.

For English, Southampton requires IELTS 6.5 overall and Sheffield 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. Undergraduate applications are sent through UCAS, with a maximum of five choices. For 2027 entry, the equal consideration date for most undergraduate courses is 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time); for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge it is 15 October 2026. Many universities accept international applications until later in the year.

Costs and visa

Fees depend on fee status. Lancaster University lists undergraduate fees for 2027/28 of £10,050 for home students and £31,700 for international students on its Physics BSc. Southampton lists £10,050 for UK students and £34,100 for EU and international students for a year's study.

International students normally need a Student visa for a full degree. According to GOV.UK (checked on 8 October 2026), applicants must be 16 or over, hold an offer from a licensed student sponsor and prove English equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study. The application costs £558 from outside the UK, plus a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year for students. Applicants must also show living-cost funds of £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month elsewhere, for up to nine months, and can apply at the earliest six months before the course starts.

Some science courses also require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for certain nationalities. GOV.UK states that applicants for an undergraduate course with an integrated master's year may need ATAS clearance; the university confirms whether it applies.

Careers

Lancaster notes that physicists leave with problem-solving skills, programming knowledge, critical thinking and project management experience. Its graduates have become systems engineers, big data developers and software engineers or continued to a PhD; Southampton's examples include communication engineer, computational modeller, financial analyst and nuclear medicine technologist. After the degree, the Graduate visa allows a stay of 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a BSc and an MPhys in physics?

The BSc is a three-year bachelor's degree. The MPhys or MSci is a four-year integrated master's that includes master's-level study; several universities let students transfer between the two during the course.

Which school subjects do I need to study physics in the UK?

Mathematics and physics at A level or an equivalent qualification. Manchester, for example, asks for A*A*A including A* in Physics and A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

How much does a physics degree cost for international students?

Each university sets its own fee. Lancaster University lists £31,700 a year for 2027/28 and Southampton lists £34,100 a year for international students.