Physics

Physics at the University of Oxford is widely regarded as one of the most demanding and intellectually rewarding undergraduate science programmes available anywhere. Physics is the fundamental science, concerned with understanding the basic laws that govern the behaviour of matter and energy across all scales, from subatomic particles to the structure of the universe. It combines precise mathematical reasoning with experimental investigation, and its insights underpin all the other natural sciences, as well as a vast range of engineering and technological applications.

This four-year full-time programme, leading to the degree of Master of Physics, takes you through the full scope of the discipline in exceptional depth. You will study classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, optics, nuclear and particle physics, and special relativity in the first two years, developing a thorough conceptual and mathematical grounding. In the third and fourth years, you will engage with more advanced topics and undertake substantial project work, with the opportunity to pursue research in areas such as condensed matter, astrophysics, particle physics, or biophysics alongside Oxford's world-leading research groups.

The tutorial system provides sustained one-to-one intellectual engagement with specialist physicists throughout the course.

Physics graduates from Oxford go on to careers in research, academia, finance, consulting, technology, data science, engineering, and any field that demands rigorous quantitative thinking and the ability to solve novel problems. Many continue to doctoral research in physics or related disciplines. The reputation associated with an Oxford physics degree, combined with the extraordinary depth of training it provides, opens doors across an unusually wide range of professions and research environments.