Physics with Biophysics

Physics with biophysics combines the foundational science of matter and energy with the growing frontier where physics meets living systems. Biophysics asks physical questions about biological phenomena: how do proteins fold and function, how do cells transmit signals, how can physical measurements reveal biological structure, and how can physical principles be applied to understand health and disease at the molecular level? It is a discipline at the intersection of physics, biology, and medicine, and it represents one of the most exciting growing areas of modern science.

At the University of Exeter you will study across three years on a full-time programme, with a sandwich year for professional experience, a year abroad for international study, and work placement integrated throughout. The physics core covers the fundamental disciplines of classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, and optics, alongside the laboratory, mathematical, and computational skills that underpin the physical sciences. The biophysics strand introduces you to the physical principles governing biological systems, covering areas such as biomolecular structure, cell mechanics, imaging techniques, and the application of physical measurement to biological problems.

Exeter's research connections in physics and in the biomedical sciences enrich the curriculum and the placement opportunities available to students.

Graduates of physics with biophysics enter careers in medical physics, where they may contribute to radiation therapy, medical imaging, or clinical measurement in the NHS. Biomedical research, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and academic research groups working at the physics-biology interface are further significant employers. The strong quantitative and analytical training the degree provides also opens doors in finance, data science, engineering, and technology.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in biophysics, medical physics, biomedical engineering, or a physics specialism, and the degree provides excellent preparation for research-level work in any of these areas.