| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-23 | 2023-07-04 |
| 2024-01-23 | - |
Program Overview
Learn about the deep connections between mathematics and theoretical physics and develop your scientific computing and theoretical modelling skills to understand and solve complex physical problems.
During the course, you’ll learn about the fundamental theoretical physics describing the intertwining of space, time, matter and energy. You’ll develop and apply theoretical models, learn about active matter and general relativity, investigate nonlinear physics and quantum optics.
As well as gaining a deep knowledge and understanding of physics, you’ll graduate with strong experimental, mathematical and computational expertise. You’ll also gain powerful problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills, preparing you for a career in physics and many other fields as well.
Flexibility
You'll study the same units as for our Physics and Physics with Astrophysics courses in year one. In later years, core material expands to include more computational physics, further mathematics and foundational theoretical physics. This gives you the greatest flexibility and makes it possible to change between courses if your interests change once you're at Bath. It also allows you to modify your placement or study abroad options, or even whether you are on a bachelor’s or master’s programme after you've started.
In your final year, you’ll carry out a substantial project, choosing from a wide range of topics and types. You’ll study a wide-range of topics in theoretical physics, and you can also choose some broader options to enable you to experience a taster of a field you might be considering for graduate employment.
If you want a more in-depth study experience, you could consider applying for our MPhys Physics With Theoretical Physics course.
Get involved with our research
Our courses reflect the wide range of research activities in the Department. You’ll learn about nano-engines and organic electronics, investigate quantum optics, study the properties of graphene and the importance of symmetry in theoretical physics, and explore the structure and evolution of the Universe. We bring the latest developments in physics into our teaching, and you can get involved by working with us on your own research project.
Develop your professional skills
All our courses give you experience of a range of professional skills to add to your CV, including problem-solving, communications, teamwork and research. We also have staff dedicated to supporting you in your search for a placement or a graduate job, including offering CV workshops and practice interviews.
Use specialist facilities
You’ll learn experimental and computing skills in our well-equipped teaching labs. You can carry out projects with research equipment and high-performance computers in our specialist research labs. We also have strong links to research facilities and observatories in the UK and around the world.
Get ready for your future career
With the combination of an analytical approach and practical problem-solving skills, physics graduates are in strong demand by employers. You'll be able to work in a wide range of careers in physics and beyond, such as:
Many of our graduates also go on to postgraduate study in preparation for academic or industry-based research careers.
Find out more about what our graduates go on to do.
Learn more on our Physics Virtual Experience page
You can find out more about studying a physics degree at Bath by visiting our Physics Virtual Experience page to hear from staff and students in the department.
Learn about the deep connections between mathematics and theoretical physics and develop your scientific computing and theoretical modelling skills to understand and solve complex physical problems.
During the course, you’ll learn about the fundamental theoretical physics describing the intertwining of space, time, matter and energy. You’ll develop and apply theoretical models, learn about active matter and general relativity, investigate nonlinear physics and quantum optics.
As well as gaining a deep knowledge and understanding of physics, you’ll graduate with strong experimental, mathematical and computational expertise. You’ll also gain powerful problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills, preparing you for a career in physics and many other fields as well.
Flexibility
You'll study the same units as for our Physics and Physics with Astrophysics courses in year one. In later years, core material expands to include more computational physics, further mathematics and foundational theoretical physics. This gives you the greatest flexibility and makes it possible to change between courses if your interests change once you're at Bath. It also allows you to modify your placement or study abroad options, or even whether you are on a bachelor’s or master’s programme after you've started.
In your final year, you’ll carry out a substantial project, choosing from a wide range of topics and types. You’ll study a wide-range of topics in theoretical physics, and you can also choose some broader options to enable you to experience a taster of a field you might be considering for graduate employment.
If you want a more in-depth study experience, you could consider applying for our MPhys Physics With Theoretical Physics course.
Get involved with our research
Our courses reflect the wide range of research activities in the Department. You’ll learn about nano-engines and organic electronics, investigate quantum optics, study the properties of graphene and the importance of symmetry in theoretical physics, and explore the structure and evolution of the Universe. We bring the latest developments in physics into our teaching, and you can get involved by working with us on your own research project.
Develop your professional skills
All our courses give you experience of a range of professional skills to add to your CV, including problem-solving, communications, teamwork and research. We also have staff dedicated to supporting you in your search for a placement or a graduate job, including offering CV workshops and practice interviews.
Use specialist facilities
You’ll learn experimental and computing skills in our well-equipped teaching labs. You can carry out projects with research equipment and high-performance computers in our specialist research labs. We also have strong links to research facilities and observatories in the UK and around the world.
Get ready for your future career
With the combination of an analytical approach and practical problem-solving skills, physics graduates are in strong demand by employers. You'll be able to work in a wide range of careers in physics and beyond, such as:
Many of our graduates also go on to postgraduate study in preparation for academic or industry-based research careers.
Find out more about what our graduates go on to do.
Learn more on our Physics Virtual Experience page
You can find out more about studying a physics degree at Bath by visiting our Physics Virtual Experience page to hear from staff and students in the department.
Program Outline
Course structure
This course lasts 3 years. It starts in September 2023 and ends in 2026. Welcome week starts on 25 September 2023.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.
Units
At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.
As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 60 credits (ECTS) in each academic year. These are usually split into 30 credits for each semester you study. Sixty credits are the equivalent of 1200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.
Year 1
Compulsory units
Dynamics and astrophysics
10 credits
Foundations of physics 1
20 credits
Mathematics for physics 1
15 credits
Physics skills 1
15 credits
Year 2
Compulsory units
Foundations of physics 2
20 credits
Further physics: from neutrinos to black holes
15 credits
Mathematics for physics 2
10 credits
Physics skills 2
5 credits
Techniques for theoretical physics
5 credits
Options
Year 2 Options
5 credits
Year 3
Compulsory units
Advanced classical mechanics
5 credits
Advanced quantum mechanics
5 credits
Statistical physics and soft matter
5 credits
Symmetry and topology
5 credits
Options
Final Year Project and Options
40 credits
Learning and assessment
You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.
Learning
Assessment
Learning and teaching
Contact hours
Timetabled contact hours, which may be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 18 and 22 hours a week in your first year.
Independent learning
In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 13 – 22 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing course working assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example in a final year project.
Assessment breakdown
You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your skills and knowledge. These include closed and open book examinations, problem solving assignments, laboratory and computing assessments, project reports and presentations.
70 to 75% of your course will be assessed through examinations. 25 to 30% will be assessed through coursework, including practical work. The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree.
In your final year you will carry out a project. You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group.
We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.
Recognition of professional qualifications
As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).
The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.
The United Kingdom currently subscribes to The Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ) Directive. The MRPQ Directive provides a reciprocal framework of rules which enables European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals to have their professional qualifications recognised in a state other than the one in which the qualification was obtained. In the event of a no deal Brexit, from 1 January 2021, the MRPQ Directive will no longer apply to the UK. However, it is anticipated that there will be a new system for recognising professional qualifications between the UK, EEA, and Switzerland.
