Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)

Queen's University of Belfast

Key Course Facts

Student Satisfaction	72%
Salary after 15 months	£25000
Unemployment Rate	0% unemployed Proportion of students of this particular course unemployed and not studying 15 months after their course ended. Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
Student Dropout Rate	3% Proportion of students of Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) who are not continuing into their following year of study or have not been awarded a qualification in either of the two comparison years. Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
Tuition Fees	£9250 Tuition (UK) £20800 Tuition (International) Tuition fees per year for Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) at Queen's University of Belfast UCAS course summary. Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023
Duration	3 years - Full-time
Campus	On campus - Main Site
Degree	Bachelor of Science (Honours), BSc (Hons)
Subject	Theoretical Physics

Admission advice for international students

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 45 graduates of Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) and other courses in Physics at Queen's University of Belfast for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Physics.

Overall student satisfaction

72 /100

45 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

	Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) and other Physics courses of Queen's University of Belfast	Average review score among all Theoretical Physics courses in the UK
Explanations	95	88
Interesting courses	76	72
Intellectually stimulating	96	88
Challenged to do my best	87	84
Depth of concepts	92	80
Builds on previous learnings	87	84
Joined ideas from different topics	83	78
Balance directed/independent study	82	75
Applicability of course content	90	75
Clear criteria in markings	74	73
Fair assessment	82	81
Tests reflected your learning	86	76
Timely feedback	84	77
Helpful feedback	70	65
Approachability of teachers	97	87
Support from teachers	86	82
Organisation of courses	82	79
Communication of changes	93	78
IT facilities	91	86
Library	92	88
Course specific resources	90	88
Student feedback opportunities	91	83
Student feedback valued	83	71
Student's feedback acted upon	81	60
Work of student union	60	69
Mental wellbeing services	70	78
Overall satisfaction	72	75

Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
All Physics courses of Queen's University of Belfast

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of Physics

	15 months after graduation	3 years after graduation	5 years after graduation
Median salary	£28407	£28185	£34541
25-75 percentile range	£24644 - £33731	£22362 - £36305	£26092 - £46368

Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Physics courses in the UK

Course Description

"Physics is an enabling discipline showing how to do things thought impossible and helping others refine their approach. Physics is to the rest of science what machine tools are to engineering." Sir John Pendry "Physics allows us to write with a piece of chalk on a blackboard the very structure of the universe and the shape of it. I mean… What's not to love?" Dara O'Briain Physics studies how the universe works - from the smallest atomic nucleus to the largest galaxy. It includes conceptual challenges such as quantum theory, relativity and chaos theory, and lies at the heart of most modern technology - for example the computer, the laser and the Internet. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has the highest teaching standards and is recognised nationally as being one of the leading centres for research. Physics at Queen's obtained an excellent grade in the last subject-based Teaching Quality Assessment exercise, while in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise 50 per cent of the scientific research carried out by staff was internationally excellent or world-leading. This strong link between research and teaching in Physics at Queen's means our graduates obtain one of the best degrees available for understanding our recent scientific advances, and playing a part in our increasingly technological society.

Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

What graduates are doing after 15 months

	All Queen's University of Belfast graduates of undergraduate studies in Physics	All UK graduates of undergraduate studies in Physics
Total respondents	35	4590
Unemployed	0%	5%
Studying	25%	12%
Working	70%	66%
Both studying and working	0%	11%
No information	0%	5%

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Physics courses of Queen's University of Belfast

Current jobs

Job in line with future plans

Utilise skills from studies

Work is meaningful

	Agree or strongly agree	Disagree
Job in line with future plans	75%	25%
Utilise skills from studies	60%	40%
Work is meaningful	85%	15%

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All courses of Queen's University of Belfast

Required skill level of job after 15 months

% Skilled jobs

	% Skilled jobs
Highly-skilled jobs	90%
Non highly-skilled jobs	10%
Skill level unknown or unclassified	0%

Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Physics courses of Queen's University of Belfast

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) at Queen's University of Belfast

25%	Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
20%	Administrative occupations
10%	Natural and social science professionals
10%	Protective service occupations
10%	Customer service occupations
5%	Business and public service associate professionals
5%	Sales occupations
5%	Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5%	Teaching Professionals
5%	Managers, directors and senior officials

Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

Assessment Methods

Study Time Distribution

Assessment Methods
	Coursework	Percentage of assessment by practical exams	Written exams

Study Time Distribution
	Scheduled learning and teaching	Guided independent study	Placements
year 1	35%	65%	0%
year 2	28%	72%	0%
year 3	20%	80%	0%

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

	Students of the course received the following grades
Not classified	0
Pass	0
Merit	0
Distinction	0
Ordinary degree	0
Other honours degree	4
Lower second class	12
Upper second class	36
First class	48

Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 2016

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Physics

Average UCAS Tariff Score 168

Tariff score	% of students accepted for courses in Physics
<48	0
48-63	0
64-79	0
80-95	0
96-111	0
112-127	6
128-143	11
144-159	29
160-175	16
176-191	21
192-207	2
208-223	9
224-239	4
>240	1

Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
All Physics courses of Queen's University of Belfast

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Your-Country/

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Theoretical Physics, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)

England UK	£9250	year 1
Scotland	£9250	year 1
Wales	£9250	year 1
Channel Islands	£9250	year 1
Northern Ireland	£4710	year 1
Ireland	£4710	year 1
EU	£20800	year 1
International	£20800	year 1
Northern Ireland	£4750	year 1
Ireland	£4750	year 1

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent	£518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home)	£50
Supermarket shopping	£81
Clothing	£35
Eating out	£33
Alcohol	£27
Takeaways / food deliveries	£30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food)	£24
Holidays and weekend trips	£78
Transport within city	£17
Self-care / sports	£20
Stationary / books	£13
Mobile phone / internet	£13
Cable TV / streaming	£7
Insurance	£51
Other	£95

Average student cost of living	£1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Queen's University of Belfast in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Queen's University of Belfast in related subject specific rankings.

Mathematics

- #1
- #19
Mathematics

CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
- #1
- #38
Mathematics

The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 09 September, 2023]
- #1
- #401
Mathematics

QS World University Rankings By Subject
[Published 22 March, 2023]

See all 30 university rankings of Queen's University of Belfast

About Queen's University of Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is a public institution that has enjoyed international repute for the majority of the institution’s time as an educational centre, and this is reflected today in their impressive University Rankings from Times Higher Education and QS. With the university’s significant reputation for research prominence and academic results, and the city life on offer from Ireland’s capital, QUB deserves the consideration of any student hoping to excel in their field while also creating fond memories while they do it.

List of 326 Bachelor and Master Courses from Queen's University of Belfast - Course Catalogue

Similar courses

Program	University	Student satisfaction	Unemployed	Dropout	Tuition (UK)	Tuition (International)	UCAS Tariff	City
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	Royal Holloway, University of London	79%	5%	15%	£9250	£26500	135	Egham	On campus Full-time
Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	Imperial College of Science	56%	0%	0%	£9250	£41650	207	London	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	Queen's University of Belfast	-	-	-	£9250	£20800	-	Belfast	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	The University of Sheffield	85%	5%	0%	£9250	£29110	162	Sheffield	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	The University of York	-	5%	0%	£9250	£28800	153	York	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	The University of Edinburgh	73%	5%	0%	£9250	£34800	221	Edinburgh	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	University College London	73%	5%	0%	£9250	£35000	174	London	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	University of Hull	94%	5%	5%	£9250 £9250	£18300 £19500	116	Hull	On campus Full-time
Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)	The University of Nottingham	79%	0%	4%	£9250	£28600	173	Nottingham	On campus Full-time
Theoretical Physics (with a year in Industry) BSc (Hons)	The University of York	83%	5%	9%	£9250	£28800	162	York	On campus Full-time

Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)

Queen's University of Belfast

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews