BSc (Hons) Physics Bachelor's degree at Hertfordshire
BSc (Hons) Physics at Hertfordshire. You'll undertake specialist modules tailored to your interests, complete an independent research project, and develop professional skills valued in scientific and technical careers.
About this course
BSc (Hons) Physics is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at Hertfordshire. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Physics & Chemistry, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
- Classical Physics
- Astrophysics
- Special Relativity
- Quantum Physics
- Experimental Physics
- Computational Modelling
- Mathematics
- Electrodynamics
- Thermodynamics
- Optics and Lasers
- Quantum Mechanics
- Introduction to Machine Learning and Neural Networks
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
You'll study the foundations of physics, mechanics, matter and energy, alongside mathematics and laboratory skills, then progress to the discipline's conceptual core in quantum and thermal physics, with advanced experiments and scientific computing. In your final year, you'll choose from specialist options such as astrophysics, materials science, quantum science, computational methods, or a research placement, whilst undertaking advanced core teaching from active researchers and completing your own supervised research project. Throughout, you'll develop the mathematical tools and experimental techniques essential to solving real physical problems.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you think analytically about how the physical world works, enjoy problem-solving, and want to develop both theoretical understanding and practical capability. You'll spend substantial time in labs and working through mathematical frameworks, so patience with detail and curiosity about mechanisms matter more than raw speed. This appeals to people aiming for physics-based careers, further research, or roles where scientific reasoning is central, and to anyone who finds the experimental process itself engaging.
Careers & job market
National data for Physics & Chemistry graduates shows 85% were in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Across all working graduates in this field, 75% progressed into highly skilled roles or continued study. Starting salaries ranged from £26,500 to £34,000; after five years, graduates earned between £30,600 and £43,200. Specific roles, progression timelines, and individual circumstances vary. The Institute of Physics accreditation supports your eligibility for professional recognition as a Chartered Physicist.
University & format
The BSc (Hons) Physics is a part-time degree studied at the University of Hertfordshire, a public university founded in 1992. It is taught in English and accredited by the Institute of Physics for fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist. The University holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body with national recognition.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
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.
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 Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. 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 (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Hertfordshire →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.
- 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.
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-LibraryWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Hertfordshire
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 University Of Hertfordshire
933 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 Hertfordshire from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Hertfordshire; 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 Hertfordshire’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 Hertfordshire and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Hertfordshire
BSc (Hons) AstrophysicsBSc (Hons) · HertfordshireBSc (Hons) AstrophysicsBSc (Hons) · HertfordshireBSc (Hons) Initial Year For Extended Degree In Science - Physical Sciences - NhcBSc (Hons) · HertfordshireBSc (Hons) Initial Year For Extended Degree In Science - Physical Sciences - NhcBSc (Hons) · Hertfordshire
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BSc (Hons) Physics
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.