Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)
The University of Sheffield
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 50 graduates of Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) and other courses in Physics at The University of Sheffield for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Physics.
Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.
All Physics courses of The University of Sheffield
Salary
Salary of Graduates in Physics
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Physics at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £29500 | £28500 | £36000 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £25500 - £32500 | £23500 - £36000 | £29500 - £45500 |
All Physics courses of The University of Sheffield
Salary of all UK Graduates of Physics
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £28994 | £29005 | £35413 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £24988 - £33170 | £23416 - £37085 | £27365 - £46826 |
All Physics Courses in the UK
Course Description
Our Theoretical Physics course puts an emphasis on the fundamental mathematics that has brought physicists ever closer to a ‘theory of everything’. You’ll explore the classical physics principles that defined scientific thinking up to the 20th century, then look in depth at topics like relativity and quantum mechanics which, since Einstein’s day, have led to countless discoveries.
In your first two years, you’ll do the essential physics that all of our students cover, including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity and classical physics.
You can study more advanced maths topics in the University’s School of Mathematics and Statistics including: calculus, geometry, differential equations, linear algebra, and mechanics and fluids. These modules give you a much more detailed understanding of mathematical concepts than our standard physics degrees.
In practical classes, you’ll run experiments using the equipment in our modern laboratories to help you understand how important theories apply to the real world. In programming classes you can learn skills that are key to theoretical physics and valuable in many graduate careers, from data science to computer game design. There are also optional modules on topics such as particle physics and the physics of music.
In the third year, you can branch out into lots of different areas and complete your own research project in theoretical physics. Your core modules will cover topics like quantum mechanics and statistical physics. Optional modules include dark matter and mathematical biology.
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully 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.
All Physics courses of The University of Sheffield
Current jobs
All courses of The University of Sheffield
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Physics courses of The University of Sheffield
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) at The University of Sheffield
| 25% | Elementary occupations |
| 15% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
| 15% | Information Technology Professionals |
| 10% | Customer service occupations |
| 5% | Business and public service associate professionals |
| 5% | Skilled trades occupations |
| 5% | Administrative occupations |
| 5% | Business and public service associate professionals |
| 5% | Sales occupations |
| 5% | Business, Research and Administrative Professionals |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Physics
All Physics courses of The University of Sheffield
Costs
Tuition Fees Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons)
| England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
| International | £29110 | year 1 |
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.
How to apply
Application deadline:
August 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)
UCAS application code:
F344
University Rankings
of The University of Sheffield
among 379 universities in England UK
based on 34 different rankings
Positions of The University of Sheffield in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of The University of Sheffield in related subject specific rankings.
Natural Sciences
-
-
- #33
- #43
-
- Physics
-
The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
[Published 07 September, 2024]
-
-
- #14
- #101
-
- Physics
-
GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 11 November, 2024]
-
-
- #12
- #155
-
- Physics
-
NTU Rankings by Subject
[Published 01 September, 2024]
See all 34 university rankings of The University of Sheffield
About The University of Sheffield
List of 363 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Sheffield - Course Catalogue
Student composition of The University of Sheffield
-
Total number of students enrolled at The University of Sheffield by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 19190
- postgraduates:
- 9285
- Total:
- 28475
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Theoretical Physics”: 390 Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
Show on map
Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | The University of Edinburgh | - | 5% | 0% | £9250 | £34800 | 221 | Edinburgh |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | University of Hull | 47% | 5% | 5% | £9250 £9250 | £18300 £19500 | 116 | Hull |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | University College London | 72% | 5% | 0% | £9250 | £35000 | 174 | London |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | The University of York | 86% | 5% | 0% | £9250 | £28800 | 153 | York |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | The University of Nottingham | - | 0% | 4% | £9250 | £28600 | 173 | Nottingham |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | Loughborough University of Technology | 72% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £27250 | 161 | Loughborough |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | Imperial College of Science | 53% | 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) | Royal Holloway, University of London | 78% | 5% | 15% | £9250 | £26500 | 135 | Egham |
On campus
Full-time
|
|
|
Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) | The University of Sheffield | 93% | 5% | 0% | £9250 | £29110 | 162 | Sheffield |
On campus
Full-time
|
FAQ about Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) The University of Sheffield
- Tuition fees for this programme are 9250 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- The median salary of graduates of this course was £29500 15 months after graduation, £28500 3 years after graduation and £36000 after graduation.
- Elementary occupations (25%), Science, engineering and technology associate professionals (15%), Information Technology Professionals (15%), Customer service occupations (10%)
- 50 graduates rated the course 93. This means that 93% of graduates indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course. See detailed ratings above and how these compare to the averages at other universities.
- The University of Sheffield achieved the highest ranking for Physics. It is ranked #43 in (Physics). See all subject rankings for The University of Sheffield.
- Theoretical Physics BSc (Hons) is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at The University of Sheffield.
- It is rather difficult to get accepted into this course. Accepted students had an average UCAS tariff score of 162 which is higher than 65.63% of all Theoretical Physics courses in the UK.
Ranking publishers
The Guardian News and Media Limited
- Published:
- 07 September, 2024
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Published:
- 11 November, 2024
NTU ranking
- Published:
- 01 September, 2024