MPhys (Hons) Physics with Biophysics Integrated Master's degree at the University of Exeter
MPhys (Hons) Physics with Biophysics at University of Exeter. Rather than treating physics as a self-contained discipline, the course threads biophysical questions through the wider physics curriculum, so students build a grounding in core physical theory while also getting to grips with how physical…
About this course
Explore what Exeter graduates do | Career Zone | University of Exeter Section links Career Planning Reflect on yourself Explore your options Exploring Postgraduate Study Employment Sectors Explore what Exeter graduates do Anthropology Arab and Islamic Studies Archaeology Art History and Visual Culture Biosciences Class From the provider’s course page.
MPhys (Hons) Physics with Biophysics is an Integrated Master's degree (MPhys (Hons)) at the University of Exeter, based in Streatham Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Physics graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 85% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £35,000. (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: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. 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 94% (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 1 5 modules
- Physics of Everyday LifeCompulsory60 credits
- Mathematics SkillsCompulsory30 credits
- Computational Data AnalysisCompulsory15 credits
- Experimental PhysicsCompulsory15 credits
- Employability and Professional Skills DevelopmentCompulsory
Year 2 7 modules
- The Physics of Living SystemsCompulsory15 credits
- From Fields to QuantaCompulsory60 credits
- Mathematics for PhysicistsCompulsory15 credits
- Experimental Physics IICompulsory15 credits
- Employability and Skills Development IICompulsory
- Study Abroad OptionsCompulsory120 credits
- Professional PlacementCompulsory120 credits
Year 3 25 modules
- Nuclear and High Energy Particle PhysicsCompulsory15 credits
- The Biophysics of Cells and TissuesCompulsory15 credits
- Soft MatterCompulsory15 credits
- States of MatterCompulsory15 credits
- Employability and Professional Skills Development IIICompulsory
- Project and DissertationCompulsory30 credits
- Physical Methods in Biology and MedicineCompulsory15 credits
- Employability and Professional Skills Development IVCompulsory
- Electromagnetism IIOptional15 credits
- Methods of Theoretical PhysicsOptional15 credits
- Nanostructures and Graphene ScienceOptional15 credits
- Galaxies and High Energy AstrophysicsOptional15 credits
- Principles of Theoretical PhysicsOptional15 credits
- Stars from Birth to DeathOptional15 credits
- Introduction to Quantum TechnologyOptional15 credits
- Fluid Dynamics in Physics and AstronomyOptional15 credits
- Energy, Materials and SustainabilityOptional15 credits
- Quantum Mechanics IIOptional15 credits
- Condensed Matter IIOptional15 credits
- Computational Physics and ModellingOptional15 credits
- Relativity and CosmologyOptional15 credits
- Solar and Extra-Solar Planets and Their AtmospheresOptional15 credits
- Quantum Many-Body TheoryOptional15 credits
- Quantum Optics and PhotonicsOptional15 credits
- Theory and Application of MetamaterialsOptional15 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
Across the four years, the course builds from foundational physics through to independent research, with content organised around several broad strands rather than isolated modules. Students engage with core theory covering the fundamental principles of physics, alongside research & methods training that develops the practical and computational skills needed to design and carry out investigations. Applied practice gives students the chance to see physical principles at work, including in biophysical contexts, while specialist options allow some tailoring of the degree towards particular interests such as biophysics-related topics as they progress through the years. A significant independent project forms part of the later stages of the course, giving students the chance to pursue a substantial piece of original research under supervision, in keeping with the integrated master's format. Alongside the scientific content, professional skills are woven through the degree, preparing students for further study or employment once they graduate. Because the course runs across four years full-time, there is more room than in a standard degree to build depth in specialist areas before the final research-focused stages.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who is genuinely curious about how the physical world works at every scale, from subatomic particles to the molecular processes that keep living organisms functioning, and who wants a degree that lets them pursue both strands rather than choosing one over the other. It will appeal to students who enjoy mathematical and analytical thinking but also want to see those tools applied to real biological questions - the kind of person who finds it satisfying to work through a problem set one day and think about cell mechanics the next. Because it's a four-year integrated master's, it's suited to those who are ready to commit to a longer course of study and who want the extra time to build towards independent research rather than finishing at bachelor's level. Studying this degree will likely feel demanding but layered: early years focus on establishing strong physics fundamentals, while later years bring more independence, specialist choice, and the chance to shape a research project around personal interests. Most entrants to Exeter's physics-related courses arrive with A-levels or equivalent, typically within the 128-143 UCAS tariff range, though this reflects what past students have held rather than a fixed requirement. Anyone motivated by the idea of eventually working towards Chartered Physicist status, or who wants a strong grounding for further postgraduate study in physics or biophysics, is likely to find this course a good fit.
Careers & job market
Nationally, graduates from Physics & Chemistry courses report that 85% are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 75% of those working graduates in highly skilled roles or further study. These figures come from national Graduate Outcomes data across the field rather than being specific to Exeter, but they give a general sense of the destinations open to physics graduates. National earnings data (LEO) for this field show starting salaries 15 months after graduation ranging from £26,500 to £34,000, rising to between £24,650 and £34,800 after three years, and between £30,600 and £43,200 after five years - again, these are national figures across the field and not a guarantee of what any individual graduate will earn. The IOP accreditation on this course is directly relevant to career planning, since it meets the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist status, a professional recognition that can matter for career progression in physics-related fields. Nationally, 90% of students on comparable courses continue past their first year, which may be useful context for anyone weighing up commitment to a four-year integrated master's.
University & format
The University of Exeter is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1955. This particular course is based at the Streatham Campus and is delivered full-time over four years, reflecting its status as an integrated master's degree rather than a standard bachelor's. Teaching quality across the university has been rated Gold in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and Exeter was. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, qualifications from Exeter are nationally recognised, and the degree itself carries IOP accreditation, meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist status.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
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.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
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 | 93% |
| a Baccalaureate | 3% |
| an Access course | 3% |
| another higher-education qualification | 1% |
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. 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Exeter →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
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 | £35,000 | £30,000 – £37,500 | 25 |
| 3 years after | £31,000 | £26,000 – £38,000 | 115 |
| 5 years after | £40,000 | £32,000 – £49,000 | 130 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
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: 25; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. 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.
- Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
- Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- 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: 85; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
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
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £35,000. 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 89.1% · in work or study 85% · continued 94%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Exeter
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 Streatham Campus
1,452 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 University of Exeter from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Exeter; 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 University of Exeter’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 University of Exeter and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Exeter
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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