Theoretical Physics BSc Honours

Clearing - How to apply

What is Clearing?

Each year, universities may have spaces left on their courses after the application window has closed in June.

UCAS Clearing is your opportunity to snap up one of these places, even if you didn't apply to the university prior to the June deadline.

It also gives you a second chance to go to university if you didn't get the grades you needed for your firm and insurance offers.

How do I get in touch?

Our Clearing entry requirements may differ from those advertised; contacting our friendly advisers is the best way to find out if you’re eligible for a place.

You can get in touch through live chat or our hotlines. Call us on 0800 073 5050, or if you’re an international student calling from outside the UK, call: +44 191 222 5000.

Not available in Clearing

This course is not available in Clearing 2024.

This means there are no spaces available for Clearing 2024. If you can't find vacancies in your original course or subject area, try exploring other subjects in a related field.

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Course overview

Unravel the universe's deepest mysteries with a degree in theoretical physics.

During your three-year Theoretical Physics BSc, you’ll specialise in theoretical physics and study:

• advanced electromagnetism
• advanced fluid dynamics

These modules are unique to our Theoretical Physics degrees. But you’ll also study a set of physics modules which are common across our Physics BSc courses.

You’ll also get hands-on experience, and improve your practical skills, by working in our high-spec facilities. By the end of your degree, you’ll have a strong understanding of physics and advanced mathematics.

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

During your first year, you’ll study introductory modules in physics and mathematics. We’ll also spend some time in the lab working on experiments and projects.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dynamics	10
Introductory Astrophysics	10
Introductory Electromagnetism	10
Introductory Quantum Mechanics	10
Laboratory Physics 1	20
Vibrations, Waves, AC Theory & Introduction to Solid State Materials	20
Introductory Algebra	10
Introductory Calculus and Differential Equations	20
Multivariable Calculus	10

You'll continue learning about the core concepts of physics, including quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. We’ll also study modules in fluid dynamics, and computational methods and professional skills for theoretical physics.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Principles of Quantum Mechanics	10
Principles of Electromagnetism	10
Principles of Materials and Solid-State Physics	10
Vector Calculus	10
Introduction to Observational Astronomy	10
Differential Equations, Transforms and Waves	10
Optics	10
Fluid Dynamics I	10
Computational Methods and Professional Skills for Theoretical Physics	10
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics	20
Scientific Computation with Python	10

During your final year, you’ll study more advanced modules and work on two different projects.

You must choose three optional modules.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Advanced Quantum Mechanics	10
Relativity and Fundamental Particles	10
Advanced Materials and Solid-State Physics	10
Atoms, Molecules, and Nuclei	10
Group Project	10
Advanced Electromagnetism	10
Theoretical Project	20
Fluid Dynamics II	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Geohazards and Deformation of the Earth	10
Variational Methods and Lagrangian Dynamics	10
Advanced Astronomy	10
Methods for Differential Equations	10
Partial Differential Equations	10
Photonics	10
Stellar Structure and Evolution	10
Cosmology	10
Radiative Transfer and High Energy Astrophysics	10
Instabilities	10
Mathematical Biology	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They are based on the modules chosen by our students in 2023-24.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present.
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You will be taught via a range of approaches, including:

• lectures and seminars
• small group tutorials
• problem classes
• laboratory sessions
• practical computing sessions

In Stage 1, you’ll work on experiments and projects in our labs. These practical sessions will be about 45 hours in total.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Business skills

In Stage 3 you'll work on a group project, helping you improve your teamwork and practical skills.

You'll also work on your own theoretical project. You’ll explore an aspect of physics under the guidance of our expert staff. The project will help you develop your research, practical and presentation skills.

Research skills

We have an interdisciplinary approach to research. Our academic staff are experts in their field, with a diverse range of research strengths.

We have research expertise in:

• novel electronic materials
• semiconductor devices
• computational physics
• quantum fluids
• astrophysics
• relativity
• nanoscale properties of materials

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a physics student at Newcastle University, you'll be based at our city-centre campus in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics' Herschel Building.

The School has high-specification laboratory facilities equipped with leading experimental and computational physics capabilities, such as:

• cryogenics labs
• semiconductor labs
• High-Performance Computing
• data from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

The Herschel Building also has dedicated study and social spaces, and a computing area.

Join us for a tour around our high-spec facilities

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a dedicated member of staff whose responsibility is to help our students manage the transition from A Levels to undergraduate study.

The Transition Officer works with Stage 1 undergraduates to provide:

• Stage 1 pastoral and academic support
• attendance and academic performance monitoring
• Stage 1 induction
• weekly drop-ins

Your future

Graduating with a degree in physics

Physics graduates report earning average salaries close to £27,000 on graduation.

Our graduates have gone on to work as:

• power systems engineers
• research software engineers
• programmers
• tax associates
• consultants

Possible career paths for physics graduates can also include:

• engineering
• medicine
• finance
• nanotechnology
• oil, gas and renewable energy
• telecommunications

You'll gain transferable skills that are highly valued by employers such as problem-solving, analytical, mathematical, communication, presentation, teamwork and computing skills.

Further study, including postgraduate courses for secondary school teaching and PhD courses, is also available to physics graduates.

Our links with industry

We have research links with the following companies and external organisations:

• Littelfuse
• De Beers Group
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
• NASA
• LOFAR
• Intel
• CPI

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Additional information

Advice on maths and science requirements

If you don’t think you will have the exact mathematics and science qualifications referred to in our entry requirements by the time you need them, you may not be sure what to do.

• If you have a maths qualification but will not have it at A Level (or equivalent) when you start your degree, you should apply for the relevant degree with Foundation Year. We may give you the opportunity to take the Newcastle University Pre-Entry Maths Course* and the option to start in Year 1 if we think that this will be the best route for you.
• If you have A Level Maths (or equivalent) already but not at the required grade, you should contact us for advice. We may decide that you could be considered for Foundation Year entry, or it may be that this course is not the best option for you.
• If you will not have the equivalent of an A Level in the science subject (if any) required, you should apply for the relevant degree with Foundation Year.

If you are still not sure, don’t worry. Whatever you apply for, our Admissions Tutors will help you decide which is the best route for you. They may, therefore, make you an offer for a different course from the one you apply for (eg Foundation Year entry instead of Year 1 entry).

*The Newcastle University Pre-Entry Maths Course aims to provide the requisite mathematical skills and concepts needed on our engineering, maths and physics degree courses and to prepare students for the modes of learning they will encounter. The materials for the course are delivered electronically and include opportunities to practise your skills. You study the materials in your own time and, when you are ready, you book your exam with the Engineering School to which you have applied. A fee of £150 is payable at the time of booking the exam or shortly before the date set for examination.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed (see ‘Home Fee Students’ information below).

Qualification: BSc Honours
Home students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) Not set
International students full time 3 years	Tuition fees (per year) 30600

Home Fee Students

Home students starting in 2024 entry
£9,250 is the maximum fee that we are currently permitted to charge for home fee-paying students. This is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Home students starting in 2025 entry
The 2025 home fees have not yet been confirmed. In November 2024 the government increased the maximum fee level to £9,535 for 2025/26. We expect to confirm our Undergraduate Home fees for 2025/26 in December 2024.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

International Fee Students

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages