Learn about nano-engines and organic electronics, investigate graphene properties, study planets and galaxies and understand the structure and evolution of the Universe.
5 reasons to study physics at Bath
There are lots of reasons to study physics at Bath. Here are our top 5.
1. Learn exciting physics and make a difference
You'll discover things that could be used for future technologies or saving lives.
What our students say
Current students talk about what it's like to study at Bath and the projects they've worked on during the course.
2. Paid work placement
Improve your employability with a year-long work placement.
Over half of our students go on a placement as part of their degree.
We have 50 years of experience offering placements and links with some of the industry’s leading companies and research institutes. Recent employers include:
- Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
- Science & Technology Facilities Council
- BAE Systems
- EDF Energy
- Rolls Royce
We can't guarantee places, but our specialist placements team offers dedicated support when you're looking for a placement and throughout your placement year.
Most of our placements are paid, so you could also earn a valuable income to top up your student budget.
‘The highlight of my placement was co-authoring my first scientific paper presented at an international underwater defence conference.’
—
Rebecca Lane
BSc Mathematics and Physics including placement year
(2018)
3. Taught by researchers in top facilities
You'll be taught by active researchers who specialise in different areas of physics.
You'll be taught by academics who are also active researchers. There'll be opportunities for you to engage with departmental research from early on in the course.
Our research covers a wide spectrum of activities, from fundamental physics to technological applications. It is organised into the following research groups and centres:
- Astrophysics research group
- Centre for Networks and Collective Behaviour
- Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials
- Centre for Space, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
- Nanoscience research group
- Theoretical and Computational Physics research group
You'll choose a final year project in one of these areas and will be working closely with an active researcher in the field.
Take a look around our undergraduate teaching lab
Used by first and second year students to carry out a wide variety of physics and electronics experiments and for project work by final year students.
4. Excellent job prospects
Our graduates go on to a diverse and interesting range of careers.
We're ranked top ten for graduate prospects for physics and astronomy in the Complete University Guide 2020 and the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019. We're also ranked 5th for employability for physics in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
Our graduates have gone to a wide range of careers including scientific research and development, engineering, telecommunications, banking, finance, meteorology, oil, gas and space exploration.
Recent employers include:
- BAE Systems
- Barclays
- Deloitte
- Vodafone
- Dyson
- Renishaw
Many also go on to postgraduate study in preparation for academic or industry-based research careers.
5. Highly ranked course and university
We are a top 10 UK university with a reputation for research and teaching excellence.
Bath has been awarded Gold status in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.
We're also ranked as the 6th best university in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
Find out more about physics at Bath
Explore our courses