Qualifying Routes

See the different paths that you can follow to qualify for a career in physics.

The following describes the route from school to university. If you have finished school and don't have the necessary formal qualifications to enter university, you may still be able to study physics at university through the 2 plus 2 scheme.

To continue with science you must choose to take either a double award in science (England, Wales and N. Ireland), which combines the three subjects and equips you with two 'science' GCSE qualifications or a combination of the individual sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), at GCSE or Standard Grade.

Entry to most degree courses requires 2/3 A levels (or a suitable combination of A and AS-levels) or 3-5 Higher Grades, including maths and physics. Since there is a shortage of applicants, grade requirements in some universities are not high but all departments will consider good grades in maths to be equally important with good grades in physics. A National Diploma with several merits and distinctions or Advanced GNVQ/GSA in science with merit or distinction may be considered if it has 'suitable maths and physics content' (contact university departments for guidance). Additional qualifications in mathematics may be an advantage in gaining a place on a physics course.