Discover
Physics
in the UK
Studying Physics
in the United Kingdom is a unique opportunity to follow
in the footprints of the great. From Newton, Faraday, Maxwell
and Watt to Roger Penrose and Stephen Hawking, the United
Kingdom has had more than its fair share of brilliant minds.
This is a trend that looks set to continue – UK scientific
departments have a reputation for top rate work and in a
recent subject review Physics Departments achieved consistently
high scores for teaching quality. This environment looks
set to guarantee many more famous names!
Last year saw
a British team of physicists design and build the first
land vehicle to break the sound barrier – Thrust SSC.
Scientists around the world were astonished – though
theoretically possible, many had believed that it was impossible
to build such a vehicle in practice. On the experimental
side, the UK collaborates on international projects such
as CERN (high energy particle physics) and JET (the experimental
fusion reactor) as well as having a number of high quality
research facilities such as the Daresbury Laboratory in
Cheshire and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
If you come to
study in the UK, you will have the chance to develop your
English skills, gain confidence in giving oral presentations
as well as producing written reports. Since this is the
language of the scientific community, this will be a valuable
skill for your future career. Also, there is a range of
qualifications open to you at the tertiary education level,
so that there is something to suit everyone’s ability.
Regardless of the scientific level of your education to
date, there should be a course to suit you, from Higher
National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND)
to degree.
Most UK Universities
offer two types of undergraduate degree – a Bachelors
degree (BSc) of typically 3 years duration or a Masters
degree (MSci or MPhys) of typically 4 years. The courses
also cover a wide variety of topics, with many institutions
offering modules in medical physics, astronomy, space science,
applied physics and other related topics. The modular course
structure at many Universities means that you can tailor
your course to fit your interests and career aspirations.
Some Universities also offer courses where you can incorporate
industrial placements and other work experience into your
studies. This is a great opportunity for you to have a ‘taster’
of your chosen career. Most Universities have specialties
within an area of physics and whilst their undergraduates
will study across a broad spectrum, you will find that the
researchers work in only four or five regions. This means
that you can select an institution where world-leading researchers
are working at the front line of scientific discovery that
interests you.
Studying in the
UK is an enjoyable experience, with all Universities boasting
a vast range of student societies that will offer you the
opportunity to try new activities. Whether you want to do
conservation work, party, learn to sail a boat or to ballroom
dance, there will be a group ready to help you. A high number
of Universities have a Physics Society that organizes events
additional to your academic course, such as inviting guest
speakers, arranging tours of research facilities and industrial
sites and holding social functions that provide an excellent
opportunity to meet the more senior physicists at your department.
A great number
of international students come to the UK from all over the
world, so you will never be the only person who is not local.
In fact, many Universities have an International Office
to support you through your studies and organize events
where you can meet up with other international students
and share your experiences.
Employment opportunities
are good for those with physics qualifications. Most enjoy
good salaries and work in diverse areas from finance to
research. Once you have a physics degree, you have set yourself
up for a successful career, no matter what field you eventually
work in. The Institute of Physics is the UK based professional
body for physicists and can help you to obtain internationally
recognised professional status, such as Chartered Physicist
(CPhys) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). To help you choose
a physics course in the UK, the Institute of Physics produces
a free guidebook, titled “Physics on Course” which
details all the tertiary physics courses available in the
country.
By Julia Rose,
Student Liaison Officer,
Institute of Physics
