Ordinary Physics Degree at Aberystwyth

Ordinary Physics Degree - 3 years BSc Degree (F302)

BSc Ordinary Degree in Physics

In Physics, Aberystwyth University offers a variety of full-time pathways to a final Physics degree, which can take between three and five years. The right option for you will depend on:

• your existing qualifications and experience;
• your aspirations for postgraduate career or further study;
• the interests that you develop as you go along.

We offer:

• a three year BSc Physics Ordinary Degree;
• a four year BSc Physics Honours Degree (including Foundation Year);
• a five year MPhys Degree (including Foundation Year);
• a three year BSc Physics Honours Degree;
• a four year MPhys Degree.

If, for whatever reason, your qualifications are not sufficient for direct entry to a three year BSc Honours degree, you can choose one of the first two options:

• an Ordinary degree, which takes three years but does not get to Honours level;
• a Foundation Year which prepares you for entry to a three year BSc Honours degree, thus taking four years in all - or five, if you want to progress to an M Phys degree.

Ordinary Physics Degree/Foundaton Year: Year 1

The Physics Foundation Year is almost exactly the same as the first year of the Ordinary Degree. Here we lay the foundation of the essential topics for the study of Physics at University level:

• Physical Forces;
• Physics of Matter;
• Laboratory Physics;
• Mathematical Methods for Physicists;
• Oscillations and Waves, Electricity and Magnetism.

Ordinary Physics Degree: Years 2+3

In Years 2+3 the Ordinary Degree moves on to:

• Algebra and Calculus;
• Dynamics and Relativity;
• The Quantum Universe;
• Computational And Experimental Physics;
• Physics of Light.

These lay the grounding for the Individual Project which is central to Year 3

Career and Study Opportunities after your Ordinary Physics Degree

This modular structure offers great flexibility, so that students may take any of the several exit points available  between three and five years, emerging with a degree qualification. The Ordinary Degree is excellent for students who would like a career other than in pure physics, for example in scientific journalism or product control. In general, Aberystwyth Physics graduates move on to careers in Commerce, Education, and many other tehcnical and Physics-related posts in public and private sector. They take with them an excellent grounding in basic Physics, a record of personal project work and problem-solving, and the experience of having worked in an environment of ground-breaking excellence.