Mathematics and Physics

Mathematics and physics together represent two of the most fundamental disciplines in science, and the combination is more than merely convenient: mathematics is the language in which the laws of physics are written, and the development of physics has been one of the primary drivers of mathematical progress. Studying both simultaneously gives you a richer understanding of each than either alone provides, developing the rigour and precision of mathematical thinking alongside the physical intuition needed to connect abstract structures to the observable world.

At Bath this three-year full-time programme develops a thorough grounding in both disciplines, covering pure and applied mathematics alongside the core areas of physics including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and modern physics. You will carry out a fifteen-credit final-year project, choosing from a wide range of experimental, theoretical, and computational options related to staff research interests, or pursuing an industry team project in which you investigate a real scientific problem posed by an industrial client, or a communicating physics project involving public engagement design. This range of final-year options reflects the programme's commitment to preparing graduates for diverse paths beyond the degree, whether in research, industry, or public science communication.

Graduates of mathematics and physics programmes are exceptionally versatile. Research careers in both disciplines, as well as in astrophysics, materials science, and theoretical computer science, are natural destinations for those who continue to postgraduate study. The quantitative and analytical skills the degree develops are also highly valued in finance, data science, actuarial work, software engineering, and technology consultancy, making mathematics and physics graduates consistently sought after across a wide range of sectors that depend on rigorous quantitative reasoning.