Physics

Physics is the most fundamental of the natural sciences, providing the conceptual and mathematical tools to understand matter, energy, space, and time. From quantum mechanics and the behaviour of subatomic particles to the large-scale structure of the universe, the discipline trains you to think analytically about complex problems, to design and interpret experiments, and to build and test mathematical models of physical phenomena. Physicists are problem-solvers by training, and the skills that training develops are valued across an extraordinarily wide range of industries and professional contexts.

At Northumbria University, this four-year extended degree gives you a longer and more supported pathway through physics, structured to develop your understanding progressively and to give you the depth of preparation you need to engage successfully with the more advanced content of the final years. You will cover the core areas of the discipline, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and optics, alongside the mathematical methods that physics demands. The programme includes a sandwich year, giving you the opportunity to spend a year in an industrial, research, or technology organisation before your final year, and a year abroad is also available.

Work placements are built in throughout. The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points.

Physics graduates work in technology, data science, finance, engineering, defence, energy, and research. The extended degree format gives students who may need more time to develop their mathematical and scientific foundations the opportunity to achieve the same qualification and career outcomes as a standard three-year degree. Many graduates also go on to postgraduate study in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, or related disciplines, and teaching physics in secondary schools is a particularly valued and well-supported career path.