Physics
Bachelor's degree
In Oxford
Description
-
Type
Bachelor's degree
-
Location
Oxford
UCAS code F303 Duration
4 years (MPhys)
3 years (BA)
Entrance requirements
A*AA (with the A* in Physics, Maths or Further Maths)
Subject requirements Physics and Maths
Maths Mechanics modules
Further Maths
Admissions test(s) ox.ac.uk/pat Written work None
Admissions statistics*
Interviewed: 36%
Successful: 14%
Intake: 181
*3-year average 2017-19
Contact
+44 (0) 1865 272200
Email Physics
Subject requirements: Essential Recommended Helpful – may be useful on course
Unistats information for this course can be found at the bottom of the page
Please note that there may be no data available if the number of course participants is very small.
Physics is concerned with the study of the universe from the smallest to the largest scale: it is about unravelling its complexities to discover the way it is and how it works. Discoveries in physics have formed the foundation of countless technological advances and play an important role in many scientific areas. Many techniques used in medical imaging, nanotechnology and quantum computing are derived from physics instrumentation. Even the World Wide Web was a spin-off from the information processing and communications requirements of high-energy particle physics. The contributions of physics to solving global problems such as energy production, environmental protection, global warming and public health are essential and have an enormous impact on our society.
">Video of Physics at Oxford University
Oxford has one of the largest university physics departments in the UK, with an outstanding and very diverse research programme in six sub-departments:
Astrophysics
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics
Atomic and Laser Physics
Condensed Matter Physics (including Biophysics)
Particle Physics
Theoretical Physics..
Physics at Oxford is challenging and mathematical with a strong emphasis on fundamental concepts such as optics and relativity. There are two undergraduate courses, an MPhys and the BA tem is one...
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Subjects
- Project
- Maths
- Options
- IT
- Teaching
- Mechanics
- Astrophysics
- Global
- University
- GCSE Physics
- Particle Physics
- Equally
Course programme
In the first year your time will be equally divided between mathematics and physics, with about ten lectures and two tutorials plus one day a week working on experimental physics in the practical laboratories. In the second and third years the core and mainstream physics topics are covered in tutorials and small group classes. Practical work is also done during the year. In the fourth year you will take two major options and the MPhys project.
Tutorials are usually 2-4 students and a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There would usually be no more than around 20 students though classes for some of the more popular papers may be up to 40 students.
Most tutorials, classes, and lectures are delivered by staff who are tutors in their subject. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level.
To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.
Academic YearCourse structureYEAR 1CURRENT COURSES
- Classical mechanics and special relativity
- Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
- Mathematical methods I
- Differential equations and waves
Short options, for example:
- Astronomy
- Complex analysis
- Quantum ideas
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work
YEAR 2CURRENT COURSES
- Thermal physics
- Electromagnetism and optics
- Quantum physics
- Mathematical methods II
Short options, for example:
- Classical mechanics
- Climate physics
- Introduction to biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation
YEAR 3CURRENT COURSES- Fluids
- Symmetry and relativity
- Atomic and laser physics
- Nuclear and particle physics
- General relativity
- Condensed-matter physics
- Computational and experimental projects
- Advanced quantum mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Plasma physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project
YEAR 4RESEARCH
Project and two option courses:
- MPhys project
- Astrophysics
- Laser science and quantum information processing
- Condensed matter
- Particle physics
- Atmospheres and oceans
- Theoretical physics
- Biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers
Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.
YEAR 1CURRENT COURSES
- Classical mechanics and special relativity
- Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
- Mathematical methods I
- Differential equations and waves
Short options, for example:
- Astronomy
- Complex analysis
- Quantum ideas
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work
YEAR 2CURRENT COURSES
- Thermal physics
- Electromagnetism and optics
- Quantum physics
- Mathematical methods II
Short options, for example:
- Classical mechanics
- Climate physics
- Introduction to biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation
YEAR 3CURRENT COURSES- Fluids
- Symmetry and relativity
- Atomic and laser physics
- Nuclear and particle physics
- General relativity
- Condensed-matter physics
- Computational and experimental projects
- Advanced quantum mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Plasma physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project
YEAR 4RESEARCH
Project and two option courses:
- MPhys project
- Astrophysics
- Laser science and quantum information processing
- Condensed matter
- Particle physics
- Atmospheres and oceans
- Theoretical physics
- Biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers
Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.
YEAR 1YEAR 1YEAR 1CURRENT COURSES
- Classical mechanics and special relativity
- Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
- Mathematical methods I
- Differential equations and waves
Short options, for example:
- Astronomy
- Complex analysis
- Quantum ideas
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work
CURRENT COURSES
- Classical mechanics and special relativity
- Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
- Mathematical methods I
- Differential equations and waves
Short options, for example:
- Astronomy
- Complex analysis
- Quantum ideas
CURRENT COURSES
CURRENT COURSES- Classical mechanics and special relativity
- Electromagnetism, circuit theory and optics
- Mathematical methods I
- Differential equations and waves
Short options, for example:
- Astronomy
- Complex analysis
- Quantum ideas
ASSESSMENT
First University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work
ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENTFirst University examinations: four written papers; short option paper; satisfactory laboratory work
YEAR 2YEAR 2YEAR 2CURRENT COURSES
- Thermal physics
- Electromagnetism and optics
- Quantum physics
- Mathematical methods II
Short options, for example:
- Classical mechanics
- Climate physics
- Introduction to biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation
CURRENT COURSES
- Thermal physics
- Electromagnetism and optics
- Quantum physics
- Mathematical methods II
Short options, for example:
- Classical mechanics
- Climate physics
- Introduction to biological physics
CURRENT COURSES
CURRENT COURSES- Thermal physics
- Electromagnetism and optics
- Quantum physics
- Mathematical methods II
Short options, for example:
- Classical mechanics
- Climate physics
- Introduction to biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation
ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENTFinal University examinations, Part A (BA and MPhys): three written papers; short option paper; laboratory work; individual presentation
YEAR 3YEAR 3YEAR 3CURRENT COURSES- Fluids
- Symmetry and relativity
- Atomic and laser physics
- Nuclear and particle physics
- General relativity
- Condensed-matter physics
- Computational and experimental projects
- Advanced quantum mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Plasma physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project
CURRENT COURSES- Fluids
- Symmetry and relativity
- Atomic and laser physics
- Nuclear and particle physics
- General relativity
- Condensed-matter physics
- Computational and experimental projects
- Advanced quantum mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Plasma physics
- Fluids
- Symmetry and relativity
- Atomic and laser physics
- Nuclear and particle physics
- General relativity
- Condensed-matter physics
- Computational and experimental projects
- Advanced quantum mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Plasma physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project
ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENTFinal University examinations, Part B: MPhys: Part A plus up to five written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work; BA: Part A plus up to four written papers, short option paper, mini project, laboratory work, project report, optional industrial project
YEAR 4YEAR 4YEAR 4RESEARCH
Project and two option courses:
- MPhys project
- Astrophysics
- Laser science and quantum information processing
- Condensed matter
- Particle physics
- Atmospheres and oceans
- Theoretical physics
- Biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers
RESEARCH
Project and two option courses:
- MPhys project
- Astrophysics
- Laser science and quantum information processing
- Condensed matter
- Particle physics
- Atmospheres and oceans
- Theoretical physics
- Biological physics
RESEARCH
RESEARCHProject and two option courses:
- MPhys project
- Astrophysics
- Laser science and quantum information processing
- Condensed matter
- Particle physics
- Atmospheres and oceans
- Theoretical physics
- Biological physics
ASSESSMENT
Final University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers
ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENTFinal University examinations, Part C (MPhys): project report; two major option papers
Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.
Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.
Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.
Exams are taken in June at the end of each year of the courses. Most written papers are of 2.5 or 3 hours duration. Short options are shared across Years 1–3 and are examined by a 1.5 hour paper; the titles shown are illustrative and may change from year to year of the course. More information about current options is available on the Physics website.Physics website.
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
The content and format of this course may change in some circumstances. Read further information about potential course changes.
potential course changesMMathPhys Year 4The Physics and Mathematics Departments jointly offer an integrated master’s level course in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. Physics students are able to apply for transfer to a fourth year studying entirely mathematical and theoretical physics, completing their degree with an MMathPhys. The course offers research-level training in: Particle physics, Condensed matter physics, Astrophysics, Plasma physics and Continuous media.
mmathphys.physics.ox.ac.uk
mmathphys.physics.ox.ac.ukmmathphys.physics.ox.ac.uk
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Physics