Physics with research placement
Physics at the University of Bath with a research placement is a four-year full-time programme that combines a thorough grounding in classical and modern physics with an extended research placement, giving you genuine experience of scientific investigation in a professional research environment before graduation. Physics is the foundational science concerned with the laws governing matter, energy, space, and time, and Bath's programme is designed to develop both the mathematical rigor and the physical intuition that a strong physicist requires at every level of the discipline.
You can learn to use quantum field theory to understand interactions between fundamental particles such as electrons, quarks, and photons, or study the theory of phase transitions and critical phenomena, learning how many-body techniques and topological band theory can be applied to understand graphene and topological insulators. You can deepen your understanding of general relativity, observational cosmology, and galaxy evolution, and explore high-energy astrophysical phenomena such as cosmic rays, pulsars, black holes, active galactic nuclei, and astrophysical jets. Alternatively, you can study new developments in electronics, photonics, and photovoltaics.
The final year MPhys options reflect Bath's genuine research breadth. The research placement integrates you into active research in physics or a related field, developing skills in experimental or computational work that are valued by both academic and industry employers.
With a typical entry tariff of 184 UCAS points, this is a competitive programme at a well-regarded research university. Graduates pursue careers in research physics, engineering, data science, financial modelling, software development, energy technology, healthcare physics, scientific communication, and across many sectors that value the quantitative and analytical rigour of a physics education. Many graduates continue to postgraduate research degrees in physics, materials, engineering, or related disciplines, often building directly on the placement experience.