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We hold open days and information sessions throughout the year aimed at students considering an undergraduate, postgraduate or postgraduate research degree at UWS.
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An you can find full information on how to study at UWS in 2024 here.
Find your place at UWS in 2024
The professionally-recognised BSc (Hons) Physics degree will develop your understanding of the fundamentals of physics as a core science, and will build your knowledge and professional skills to prepare you for a career in any area of physics, including industrial applications and academic research.
UWS is a key member of Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) which is a research alliance with the aim of placing Scotland at the forefront of international physics research. You can be assured that you will be taught by research-active academics who are specialists in their field.
In addition, you will also have the opportunity to undertake a 12-month paid placement with an industrial or scientific employer in the UK or abroad.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP). It partially meets the educational requirements for Chartered Physicist (CPhys). You can also apply to become a Registered Scientist (RSci) through the IoP upon completion of the course.
Our programme academics have recorded videos to help you discover all there is to know about our courses. From professional accreditation to programme modules and career opportunities, our programme academics will help answer all your questions. You can view the video for this course by clicking the link below.
In addition to work-based learning, the Honours sandwich degree also offers you the opportunity to complete a year’s paid work experience with an industrial or scientific employer in the UK or abroad. In recent years students have undertaken placements with Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and CERN Accelerator in Switzerland.
Broaden your horizons, learn a new language and prepare for the best international opportunities available.
Science courses at UWS have been developed in collaboration with industrial, professional and educational partners. Underpinned by research that is judged as "internationally excellent" and "world-class", our degrees enable students to make a real world impact.
Our modern labs and workshops are fitted with industry-standard equipment, allowing for research in microbiology, physics, forensic science, analytical chemistry and biotechnology. Students also have access to work-based learning opportunities with industry partners including GlaxoSmithKline.
Our students graduate ready for a successful career or further study in their chosen scientific field.
There is high demand for physics graduates in industries including microelectronic telecommunications, optics, energy, teaching and research.
Physicists are also in demand in the public services, including in schools and hospitals, the civil service and research laboratories. UWS Physics BSc graduates have gone on to secure employment with major companies, including:
The degree teaches you to think like a physicist and the lecturers are excellent; you get really high quality teaching and support at UWS.
Graeme Docherty-Walthew, BSc (Hons) Physics graduate
Some graduates choose further study at MSc, MRes and PhD level.
Others go on to complete a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) to become a physics teacher at secondary school level.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience.
Advanced entry is possible to Years 2 and 3 of this course for suitably qualified applicants (see below).
* for more information on standard and minimum entry requirements, see our Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage
SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Physics; Applied Sciences
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see section below for more details).
SOCIAL WORK DEGREES
For our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to, or require professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.
For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science programmes, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:
* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.
West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*
*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
The BSc Physics is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of physics to an advanced level. Throughout your studies you will cover the core concepts in physics, including:
As part of your degree, you will develop the laboratory skills and problem-solving experience which will enhance your familiarity with the principles and techniques of experimental physics, as well as general scientific research. This will help you to prepare you for a successful career in industry or research.
Guest speakers from industry also form part of the course to further deepen your understanding of the subject and to explore potential career options.
UWS’s Physics BSc is taught on our Paisley Campus, which has modern classrooms, state-of-the-art teaching facilities and well-equipped laboratories that will help you learn the relevant theoretical principles and practical skills.
In Years 3 and 4 of study, some of your practical work may be carried out within our research laboratories.
Five core modules include physics and mathematics. One optional module can be chosen from a range of science, engineering or computing-related modules. The physics modules are taught at the same level as the Scottish Advanced Higher syllabus.
Aspects of atomic physics and thermodynamics are also taught.
You will branch out to other areas including classical mechanics, optics, electronics, properties of matter, modern physics, and mathematical methods for physicists. Practical and professional skills are also developed.
Core modules include electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, thermodynamics and statistical physics, advanced mathematical methods for physicists. Optional modules can be chosen from advanced optics, imaging and nuclear medicine, numerical analysis, abstract algebra.
This is an optional year spent in industry or a relevant scientific research laboratory.
Subjects are more advanced developments of those undertaken in Year 3, with additional topics including solid state physics, advanced nuclear and particle physics, surface analysis and detectors, partial differential equations, selected topics in theoretical physics, and applications of nuclear physics.
You will undertake a research dissertation where your knowledge can be applied to an extended project.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.
This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including:
Use the Link below to download details of our full-time, part-time tuition fees for Bachelor, Masters, Research, and English Language pre-sessional courses for session 2023-24.
Tuition Fees£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£18,000 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£3,000 per module (20 credits)
All UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2024/25 entry is 31 January 2024, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2024. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
Going to university is about much more than getting a qualification, it’s also the chance to enjoy an exciting social life, gain some independence and make the most of the new opportunities available.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.