Mathematics and Physics

Mathematics and physics are the two most fundamental of the quantitative sciences. Physics seeks to understand the behaviour of the physical world at every scale, from the subatomic to the cosmological, while mathematics provides the language and the tools that make that understanding possible. Studied together, they form a genuinely powerful combination: mathematical precision sharpens physical reasoning, and physical intuition gives mathematics a grounding in reality that pure abstraction alone cannot provide.

At Nottingham Trent University, this three-year full-time programme develops both the laboratory skills you need as a physicist and a thorough understanding of the theories involved. You will study classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and special relativity alongside the mathematical methods that underpin them, including calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and probability. As you progress, the programme introduces more advanced topics in both disciplines, and you will undertake practical laboratory work that develops your ability to design experiments, collect data carefully, and interpret results in the context of established theory.

The combination gives you a way of exploring the biggest questions known to humanity, from the nature of space and time to the structure of matter, with both quantitative precision and conceptual depth. The typical entry tariff is 104 UCAS points.

Graduates from mathematics and physics programmes are highly regarded in technical and analytical fields. Careers in engineering, data science, finance, scientific research, software development, and education are all common, as are roles in government research agencies, telecommunications, and energy. The combination of mathematical rigour and physical insight also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate study in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, or computational science.