University of Aberdeen
Natural Philosophy MA (Hons)
University of Aberdeen

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Natural Philosophy MA (Hons) and other courses in Physics at University of Aberdeen for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Physics.

Overall student satisfaction
87 /100
10 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in CAH07

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 £25000 £25000 £27500
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £26000 £19500 - £28000 £22500 - £35000


Salary of all UK Graduates of CAH07

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £28994 £29015 £34497
25-75 percentile range £24988 - £33170 £22931 - £36583 £26874 - £45969

Course Description

Apply the theories of Stephen Hawking to invent! The fascination about how the world works is called “Natural Philosophy”. The subject covers many disciplines including Metaphysics, Principles and Matter, Cosmology, and Calculus. At Aberdeen the subject looks more at science of Quantum Mechanics, Optics, Space, Applied Mathematics and Physics. Industry applications grow with the IOT and sensors requiring ever finer optical instruments to investigate life on Earth and in space.

If you want to explore the big questions of “life, the universe and everything” understanding how the universe works, but also thinking about the philosophical ramifications of these great theories - this could be the degree for you.

Physics is the major component of the degree, and you will acquire a knowledge of its theory and practice, sufficient to equip you for a physics career if you choose. If you would like to emphasise the philosophical side of the subject, you can tailor your syllabus at year 1 and 2 to give yourself the choice before year 3 of Philosophy-Physics or Single Honours Philosophy.

Philosophy ranked top in Scotland for teaching and course content in the last National Student Survey. We are ranked 6th in the UK for Physics - The Guardian University Guide 2022.

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.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

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

Example below based on all graduates of Natural Philosophy MA (Hons) at University of Aberdeen

20% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
15% Elementary occupations
15% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
15% Managers, directors and senior officials
15% Media Professionals
5% Administrative occupations
5% Customer service occupations
5% Welfare and housing associate professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Sales occupations

Grading & Study Time

**Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:** Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; Written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses. Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Physics

Qualification requirements

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above.

IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted

TOEFL (iBT) 78

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above.

PTE Academic 59

Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above.

Online Test is not accepted

Trinity ISE

Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills.

Institution's Own Test

Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year)

Cambridge English Advanced

Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.

Cambridge English Proficiency

Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.

When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.

View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Natural Philosophy, MA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Natural Philosophy MA (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £21900 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £21900 year 1
International £21900 year 1
EU £20800 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
International £20800 year 1

Additional fee information

EU/International Applicants: When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country, and arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.

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:

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 University of Aberdeen in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Aberdeen in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #2 
    • #6 
    Physics
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]

See all 28 university rankings of University of Aberdeen

About University of Aberdeen

Dating back to the year 1495 we find the University of Aberdeen, located in the Scottish city of the same name. The main site of this ancient institution is Old Aberdeen, where students in the arts and social sciences as well as the physical sciences carry out their learning. Meanwhile on the significantly more modern campus site Foresterhill, learners in the medical and research fields occupy their own purpose-built buildings, such as Suttie Centre.

List of 511 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Aberdeen - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

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