Skip to main content

5 reasons to study physics at Bath

From placements to graduate job prospects, 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.

Learn about nano-engines and organic electronics, investigate graphene properties, study planets and galaxies and understand the structure and evolution of the Universe.

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. Go on a year-long 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 over 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

Our specialist placements team offers dedicated support when you're looking for a placement and throughout your placement year.

Many of our placements are also paid, so you can earn valuable income to help support your studies.

Portrait of Rebecca Lane
‘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. Be inspired by world-leading research

Our staff are active researchers in their field.

You'll be taught by academics who are also active researchers. This ensures our courses are kept informed by the latest developments in science.

Our research covers a wide spectrum of activities, from fundamental physics to technological applications. It is organised into the following research groups and centres:

There'll be opportunities for you to engage with departmental research from early on in the course. You'll also 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. It's also used by final year students for project work.

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 2020. We're also ranked 5th for employment after six months 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.

Find out more about physics at Bath

Explore our courses