Physics

Physics at Aberdeen takes you on a fascinating journey of understanding through every level of the physical world, from quarks, atoms, and molecules to solar systems, galaxies, and the universe itself. The department explores questions as vast as how the universe has evolved into its present state, covering the quantum nature of reality, thermodynamics and entropy, the behaviour of complex physical systems, and the mathematical structures that underpin physical law at every scale. Physics is simultaneously the most fundamental and the most practically impactful of the sciences, underpinning chemistry, biology, materials science, and all of engineering and technology.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year full-time programme develops a thorough grounding in classical and modern physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and special and general relativity, alongside the mathematical methods and experimental skills that physicists use to engage with nature on its own terms. You will develop both theoretical understanding and practical capability in laboratories, learning to design experiments, collect and analyse data, and communicate findings with precision. A year abroad is part of the programme, giving you the opportunity to engage with physics research and education in an international context.

With a typical entry tariff of 168 UCAS points, this programme attracts students with strong mathematical and scientific ability and a genuine passion for understanding the physical world. Graduates pursue careers in research, engineering, data science, finance, the technology industry, meteorology, medical physics, scientific publishing, science communication, the civil service, and education. The quantitative and analytical skills physics develops are valued across many fields beyond physics itself.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in physics, astrophysics, materials science, or related disciplines.