Physics

Physics is the science that asks the most fundamental questions about the universe, from the behaviour of the smallest subatomic particles to the large-scale structure of galaxies. As Queen's University Belfast's description puts it, physics studies how our universe works, encompassing quantum theory, relativity, and particle physics, and it lies at the heart of most modern technology, from the computer to the laser. To study physics is to engage with ideas that are both intellectually challenging and practically transformative, developing a way of thinking that underpins science, engineering, and much of modern life.

Queen's University Belfast's three-year full-time BSc Physics degree carries a typical entry tariff of 136 points and is aimed at students who wish to continue their exploration of physics beyond school and apply their knowledge to the physics-based world of the twenty-first century. You will study the core areas of the discipline, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, and cosmology, alongside laboratory work that develops your experimental technique and your ability to gather and interpret physical data. Belfast's physics department has strong research activity, and your teaching will be informed by work at the frontier of the discipline.

Physics graduates are valued across an exceptionally wide range of careers. Scientific research, engineering, data science, finance, computing, medicine, defence, and energy are among the many sectors where physics training is directly applied. Many graduates enter roles as software developers, data analysts, or quantitative analysts in finance, where the problem-solving skills of physics are highly valued.

Others enter engineering, research, or science communication. Postgraduate study or doctoral research in physics, astrophysics, materials science, or a related field is a well-established path for those wishing to work at the frontier of scientific knowledge.