BSc (Hons) Physics Bachelor's degree at Cardiff University
BSc (Hons) Physics at Cardiff University. Physics at Cardiff University is structured around a progression from core theoretical grounding into research and applied practice, culminating in an independent project that lets you pursue a question of your own choosing under…
About this course
BSc (Hons) Physics is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Cardiff University. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Physics graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £32,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Physics & Chemistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 7 modules
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists 1Core20 credits
- Mechanics and RelativityCore20 credits
- Introduction to Quantum Physics and MaterialsCore10 credits
- Experimental PhysicsCore20 credits
- Electricity, Magnetism and WavesCore20 credits
- Computational Skills for Problem SolvingCore10 credits
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists 2Core10 credits
Year two 8 modules
- The Physics of Fields and FlowsCore20 credits
- Quantum MechanicsCore10 credits
- Scientific ProgrammingCore10 credits
- Intermediate Practical PhysicsCore20 credits
- Thermal and Statistical PhysicsCore20 credits
- OpticsCore10 credits
- Introduction to Condensed Matter PhysicsCore10 credits
- Physics in Action: Real-World Problem SolvingCore10 credits
Year three 4 modules
- Solid State PhysicsCore10 credits
- Atomic and Nuclear PhysicsCore20 credits
- Particle Physics and Special RelativityCore20 credits
- Physics ProjectCore30 credits
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The degree is built around several strands rather than a single fixed syllabus. You'll work through core theory that establishes the mathematical and conceptual foundations of physics, alongside research & methods teaching that introduces how physicists actually investigate problems, designing experiments, handling data, and reasoning from evidence. Applied practice translates theory into laboratory and computational work, while specialist options let you steer your studies towards areas that interest you, such as astrophysics-adjacent topics, condensed matter, or other areas the department offers, depending on what's running in a given year. Professional skills are woven in throughout, covering the communication, teamwork and problem-solving habits that physics employers and further-study routes expect. All of this builds towards an independent project in the final stages of the course, where you take ownership of a piece of research from question to conclusion, arguably the point at which the degree stops being about following instructions and starts being about doing physics.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about how the physical world works at a fundamental level, and who doesn't mind sitting with a difficult problem until it clicks, physics rewards persistence more than instant answers. You should be comfortable with mathematics, or at least willing to get comfortable with it quickly, since the subject leans heavily on quantitative reasoning from the outset. If you enjoyed the puzzle-solving side of school science more than the memorising side, that instinct will serve you well here. Expect a mix of lectures, problem-solving sessions and laboratory work, so you'll need to be self-motivated enough to work through problem sets independently as well as engage in group practical settings. It also suits students who like the idea of eventually working towards a recognised professional status in physics, or who see this as a stepping stone into research, engineering-adjacent careers, or further study, without needing to have that path fully mapped out on day one. Most entrants arrive having studied A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 112–127 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what past students held rather than a fixed requirement.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Physics & Chemistry courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of those working graduates are in roles classed as highly skilled, figures from the Graduate Outcomes survey rather than anything specific to Cardiff alone. National earnings data (LEO) for these fields shows a range rather than a fixed figure: starting salaries 15 months out typically sit between £26,500 and £34,000, moving to roughly £24,650–£34,800 after three years and £30,600–£43,200 after five years. These are broad national ranges reflecting many different roles and sectors, not a promise of what any individual graduate will earn. Around 90% of students nationally continue their studies past the first year, which gives some indication of how manageable the transition into physics degrees tends to be once students are settled in. The IOP accreditation is particularly relevant here, since it feeds directly into eligibility for Chartered Physicist status, a recognised marker within the profession for those who want to pursue it after graduating.
University & format
Cardiff University is a public, Russell Group institution founded in 1883, with a total student body of around 30,930 across all courses. The BSc (Hons) Physics is studied full-time over three years, entirely in English, at the university's Cardiff campus (UCAS code F300). As a Russell Group member, Cardiff is part of a group of UK research-intensive universities, and degrees awarded are recognised nationally through standard UK degree-awarding body status.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively. Overall student satisfaction: 100%.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F300). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page. Set under Wales's student-finance system; the provider's page is authoritative.
Check fees at Cardiff University →If you normally live in Wales
2026/27 total maintenance support from Student Finance Wales. How much of it is grant and how much is loan depends on household income; the total does not. If you normally live elsewhere, use your home funding body.
Check your entitlement with Student Finance Wales →Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: paid directly to the university by Student Finance Wales.
- Maintenance support: a mix of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales, weighted to household income.
- Repayment: only above the income threshold, and written off at the end of the plan term.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
Wales runs its own system through Student Finance Wales; check studentfinancewales.co.uk for current rates.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Physics & Chemistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £32,000 | £28,000 – £33,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £28,000 | £23,500 – £33,000 | 70 |
| 5 years after | £36,000 | £29,500 – £44,000 | 80 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in physics & chemistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Physics & Chemistry nationally
National figures for Physics & Chemistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Physics & Chemistry courses at the same study level.
Compared with 886 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 45; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Physics worth it?
Generally yes. On its graduates’ median earnings, BSc (Hons) Physics is worth about +£90,630 more over the first ten years of work than going straight to a job, a solid return once you net out the fees.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 13.3. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Physics & Chemistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Physics & Chemistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Research institutes
- Energy & manufacturing
- Universities
- Government labs
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Physics & Chemistry graduates.
Physics Content Developer for AI-Enhanced LearningUp LearnPhysics PhD, Quantum Data Scientist for AIObsidianPhysics Academic MentorRibbons and Reeves LimitedPhysics TechnicianSapientia Education TrustPhysics Academic Mentor17918Physics Teachers in Calderdale and KirkleesCV-LibraryIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in Wales, Student Finance Wales can pay an eligible Tuition Fee Loan directly to the university, and maintenance support is a mix of grant and loan weighted to household income. You repay only above the income threshold.
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £32,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 92% · in work or study 85% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Cardiff University
Physical sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Cardiff University - Main Campus
4,125 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Physics & Chemistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Cardiff University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Cardiff University; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Cardiff University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Cardiff University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Cardiff University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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