Department of Physics

Physics deals with fundamental questions about the universe and with many of the important technological and environmental issues of our time. At undergraduate level, it involves studying some beautiful theories about the properties of space and matter, as well as developing practical and valuable transferable skills. Studying for a physics degree will provide you with benefits which last a lifetime along with knowledge and skills which are highly valued by employers.

Why Study Physics At Warwick?

Our courses are flexible. They cover all the material needed for a career in physics while offering students, who want a broader education, the opportunity to combine physics with modules from other disciplines.

Members of the Department have an excellent reputation for their research. With strong groups in astrophysics, condensed matter, elementary particles, plasmas and theoretical physics, we can ensure that undergraduate modules reflect all the latest thinking across the whole discipline.

The research activities attract considerable funding to the Department. This pays for many additional staff members, who help with teaching, and it pays for equipment, which is routinely used by undergraduates in their final year project work.

Our recently refurbished undergraduate teaching laboratories are amongst the best in the country.

Paul Maguire-Wilson

Student Profile: Paul Maguire-Wilson,

1st year, Physics

'I chose Warwick to study physics for a number of reasons. The University as a whole ranks highly, and so too does the Physics Department. My main reason, however, was the varied course and the option to choose modules outside the core compulsory modules, which puts me in control of my own learning. I like the fact that Warwick is a campus university so everything you need is close by, but there are still places like Coventry and Leamington nearby for a day’s shopping or a night out.

Another great thing about Warwick is its real international feel – there are students from all over the world, so you get to learn about different cultures and meet some really cool people'.

How Will I Be Taught?

You will learn from a combination of lectures, laboratories and tutorials, and from informal interaction with other students, both undergraduates and postgraduates. In weekly tutorials, students meet in groups of up to five with an academic member of staff. In the final year, you will spend a substantial fraction of your time on your project.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Assessment is via end of year examinations (about 70%). Laboratory and project work, computing and coursework associated with core modules are assessed by final reports, oral presentations and coursework.

What Research Opportunities Are There For Research Vacation Projects?

Students can apply for vacation projects. These are small research projects supervised by a member of academic staff.

What Opportunities Are There For Work Placements?

BSc students can register for the Intercalated Year Scheme, which involves spending a year in scientific employment or UK industry between their second and final year.

What Opportunities Are There For Studying Abroad?

Students on the BSc can spend a year at one our ERASMUS partner universities. Currently these are Leuven, Marseille and Calabria.

What Careers Can A Warwick Degree In Physics Lead To?

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of professions including scientific research, finance, the media, government service and most parts of industry. Each year about half of our students undertake further study, with many working towards a PhD degree. The most common areas of employment for those graduating in 2010 were Business and Statistics professionals, IT, Business and Finance, Administrative and Science professionals. Employers value the general skills which the discipline develops: a practical approach to problem solving, the ability to reason clearly and to communicate well.