Employability

‌‌A degree in Physics will prepare you for such career destinations as...

...medical physicist, scientific laboratory technician, radiation protection practitioner, research scientist and more.

Other career paths may include systems developer, product development scientist, technical author or meteorologist. Further study at postgraduate level will open doors into research, lecturing and teaching. In a recent survey, 85% of UK/EU undergraduates who graduated from the Department of Physics in 2017 were in employment or further education six months after graduating (HESA, 2017)

 

Careers Fair

The most recent careers fair attracted relevant employers in the industry of Physics, Maths and Computer Science from across the country, all of which were delighted to talk to our students about their future. 

Transferable Skills

 Studying for a degree in Physics will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include:

  • Research and data analysis skills
  • Enhanced mathematical and computational skills
  • Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • Facility to deal with abstract concepts
  • Thorough grounding in information technology skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
  • Ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
  • Self-motivation and self-reliance
  • Team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement

Year in Employment scheme (YES)

The University operates a Year in Employment Scheme (YES), which offers you a fantastic opportunity to take a year out between your second and third year to work in an organisation in the UK or overseas. YES provides a very rewarding and worthwhile experience, both personally and professionally, and can help you to stand out from the crowd in a very competitive job market. The University’s Career Service will help you to explore your options and secure a suitable work placement.

GO Wales

GO Wales is administered by the University’s Career Service, working with local businesses to create paid work placements of a few weeks’ duration for students. It gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience which will enhance your CV and make you more attractive to potential employers.

Year 1

All our first years take a Physics Career Planning and Skills Development module, covering issues such as CV writing, team working and computer programming, time management and presentation skills which are essential to improving employability.

Year 2

You will participate in a careers event in Gregynog Hall, which includes sessions on recognising and developing your employability, mock interviews, CV guidance and presentations by former students in research or industry. All this training will improve your confidence and make you ready for the world of work.

All students take part in group work in our 2nd year laboratory experimental module. This is an important step in developing your skills for a career in research or industry and offers realistic work experience.

Final Year

In your final year, you will be preparing for employability as you near the end of your course. We provide talks about writing job applications, talks from previous alumni about their jobs, and talks from visiting employers. You can also book one to one sessions with the careers advisory service.

A significant part of your final year is your major project; this is your opportunity to complete a substantial individual project that is a showcase of your abilities, which is of great interest to employers.

Postgraduates

The advanced specialised skills and knowledge that students acquire on our taught postgraduate courses are eagerly sought by employers in STEMM industries. Our research postgraduates gain highly specialised skills that are essential for high level careers in further research or industry.