Introduction

If you are interested in studying physics at university we are here to guide you. Inside we will profile you and build a personal report with links and information to help you plan your future.

It would be inappropriate for the Institute of Physics to recommend particular universities and only you can know what will really suit you personally. However, let us help put you on track...

For each question read the introduction and make a choice (brown section), then read the advice section with the same letter as your choice (green section).

Good Luck!

To view our interactive Flash version click here.

Click the question number to jump to that question:

Question 1
Question 1b
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
Question 10
Conclusion

Home or Away?

Should you stay near home or live further away?

Advantages of living at home: it is cheaper and you don’t have to worry about paying for the basic necessities and you can easily keep in touch with old friends.

Advantages of living in university: you can join in all the more social parts of university life and it’s a great stepping stone to being totally independent.

Q) Home or Away?

1. I’d prefer to stay at home.  
2. I’d prefer to live away from home.  
   
   

1.
By choosing a university near to your home town you will have the best chance to minimise debt and keep seeing all your school friends. But it’s worth thinking about whether you’ll miss out on the social side of student life if the university is too far from your home. Remember the Students’ Union in many universities can have as many as 200 sports and social clubs for you to try. Take a look at the Students’ Union web pages as well as the main university pages to see what’s on offer. If you are worried about debt, many students work part-time to earn a bit of extra money so it’s worth checking how many part-time jobs there are in the area.

2.
By choosing a university away from your home town you will have the best chance to taste independence and will be able to join in many of the social activities that the university offers. Many Students’ Unions boast up to 200 sports and social clubs. Take a look at the Students’ Union web pages as well as the main university pages to see what’s on offer. The usual problem is that living away from home is more expensive than living at home. Many students work part-time to earn a bit of extra money so it’s worth checking how many part-time jobs there are in the area. Most people who don’t live at home, tend to move about 70 – 120 miles away, as it’s far enough to be independent but not too far to travel.  If you don’t have a car think about whether there’s a good train connection to your home town. If you do have a car, make sure that it’s a reasonable drive to your university.

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Question 1b

Town or Campus?

Should you go to a town university or a campus university?

A town university may suit you if you like to live in the heart of a busy town. But how big should the town be?

On a campus everything you need is on one enclosed site.

Q) Town or Campus

1. I prefer a town university.
2. I prefer a campus university.
3. I have no preference.
   
   
   

1.
The benefit of a town university is that you are less likely to feel isolated from the real world, but it could be that the halls of residence are quite far from the main campus making it difficult to get to the Students’ Union in the evening for social events.  You might have to deal with buses and traffic jams to get to lectures in the morning, rather than having everything within walking distance as a campus does. Check what the transport is like between the halls of residence and the main university buildings – especially late at night.

2.
The benefit of a campus university is that everything is within walking distance so getting to lectures, meeting up with people in the evening and getting home at night are easy – no need to worry about buses or traffic jams. But some people feel a little isolated on campus especially if the campus is some distance from the nearest town. Also think about whether there’s anything much to do when you go off campus – a small town or village is unlikely to offer much entertainment so you have to rely on the university to provide lots of things to do. However if you prefer a quieter life then a rural setting is for you. Check out the surroundings as well as the campus to find out what there is to do in your free time.

3.
By keeping your options open you can choose either a town university or a campus university. Each has advantages. With a town university you are less likely to feel isolated from the real world, but if the halls of residence are too far from the main campus it could be harder to get to the Students’ Union in the evening for social events whereas a campus has everything within walking distance. A campus university provides you with everything within walking distance so getting to lectures, meeting up with people in the evening and getting home at night are easier. But some people feel a little isolated on campus especially if the campus is some distance from the nearest town. Either way make sure you find out what is on offer outside of the university to make sure you won’t be bored.

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Question 2

2) Student life in halls?

If you live at the university you need to choose between the types of halls of residence:

Do you prefer to have all your meals cooked, the washing up done for you and not to worry about shopping? Then fully catered accommodation would suit you.

Do you prefer the freedom to eat what and when you like? Are you self disciplined enough to do the shopping, the cooking and the washing up? Then self-catered accommodation would suit you

Q) Catered or self-catered

1. I’d prefer catered accommodation.
2. I’d prefer self-catered accommodation
3. I’d have no preference about catered or self-catered.

1.
By choosing fully catered accommodation you won’t have to worry about buying food, cooking it, or washing up. You pay at the beginning of term so you won’t find you have run out of money and can’t afford to eat. The downside is that you have a limited choice of what to eat and no choice about when. On the plus side you’ll be meeting a lot of people from your hall during meals – it’s great for building a social life. Some universities guarantee hall places to all first and final year students. This can be useful as you know you won’t have accommodation problems. The downside is that you sometimes have to put the university as your FIRM choice to be certain of a place. If you want to move into rented accommodation in your 2nd year it’s worth looking for universities that keep lists of recommended landlords.

2.
You want the freedom of self-catered accommodation so that you are free to eat what you want, when you want. If you stay in bed until mid-day you want to know that you haven’t wasted your breakfast. Self-catered can be cheaper BUT only if you are very disciplined and make sure you do the shopping, the cooking and the washing up. Too often students end up getting a take-away and this costs a fortune. The other issue with self catered universities is that you only tend to mix with the 8 or 10 people on your corridor and may have to put up with people who don’t clear away after their meals. Sometimes because they don’t pay for meals in advance, people are more likely to go away for the weekend and the place can be a bit dull. A good compromise is to go for fully catered accommodation in the first year then move into rented accommodation later on. Some universities guarantee hall places to all first and final year students. This can be useful as you know you won’t have accommodation problems. The downside is that you sometimes have to put the university as your FIRM choice to be certain of a place. If you want to move into rented accommodation in your 2nd year it’s worth looking for universities that keep lists of recommended landlords.

3.
You are uncertain about whether to go for catered or self-catered accommodation. There are pros and cons of both. By choosing fully catered accommodation you won’t have to worry about buying food, cooking it, or washing up. You pay at the beginning of term so you won’t find you have run out of money and can’t afford to eat. The downside is that you have a limited choice of what to eat and no choice about when. On the plus side you get to meet lots of people from your hall during meals – it’s great for building a social life. Self-catered accommodation means that you are free to eat what you want, when you want. You stay in bed until mid-day if you want and know that you haven’t wasted your breakfast. Self-catered sounds cheaper BUT you have to be disciplined to make sure you do the shopping, the cooking and the washing up. Too often students end up getting a take-away and this costs a fortune. The other problem with self catered universities is that you only tend to mix with the 8 or 10 people on your corridor and may have to put up with people who don’t clear away after their meals. Sometimes because they don’t pay for meals in advance, people are more likely to go away for the weekend and the place can be a bit dull. A good compromise is to go for fully catered accommodation in the first year then move into rented accommodation later on. Some universities guarantee hall places to all first and final year students. This can be useful as you know you won’t have accommodation problems. The downside is that you sometimes have to put the university as your FIRM choice to be certain of a place. If you want to move into rented accommodation in your 2nd year it’s worth looking for universities that keep lists of recommended landlords.

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3) BSc or MPhys?

Should you opt for a 4 year MPhys (Master of Physics) or a 3 year BSc (Bachelor of Science)?

Do you see yourself working in physics – possibly doing research? Then an MPhys might suit you. This is a 4 year course with the final year focussing more on research skills. Usually the entry grades are a little higher than for a BSc.

Do you want a fast track general physics course to get you into a wide range of different areas of work? Then a BSc might suit you. A BSc is a 3 year course covering all the essentials of physics – and it doesn’t stop you going on to research if you want to

Q) BSc or MPhys?

1. MPhys as I want to go into research.
2. BSc as I want a more general qualification.
3. Uncertain – could choose MPhys or BSc.

1.
The MPhys will suit you as you see yourself working in a science environment and may be thinking of doing a PhD (doctorate). The final (4th) year will give you the research skills you will need for a PhD or research in industry. Sometimes the required grades are higher for MPhys but most departments allow you to change between the two at the end of your first year. The best advice is that, if you aren’t sure, opt for the MPhys as changing from MPhys to BSc is often easier than the other way round.

2.
Choosing a BSc will give you a more general qualification and with it you will be able to go into a whole range of careers from journalism to teaching to management and more – and it doesn’t stop you going into research if you really want to. The best advice is that, if you aren’t sure, opt for the MPhys as changing from MPhys to BSc is often easier than the other way round – though BSc to MPhys is always possible if your results are good.

3.
You’re not finding it easy to decide whether to choose a 3 year or a 4 year course at this stage. The MPhys has the advantage that it prepares you for work in a science environment and, particularly if you have thoughts of doing a PhD (doctorate). The final (4th) year will give you the research skills you will need for a PhD or research in industry. The BSc is a more general qualification and with it you will be able to go into a whole range of careers from journalism to teaching to management and more. Sometimes the required grades are higher for MPhys but most departments allow you to change between the two at the end of your first year. The best advice is that, if you aren’t sure, opt for the MPhys as changing from MPhys to BSc is often easier than the other way round.

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Question 4

4) Single Subject or Joint Honours?

Do you want to discover new areas and interests or focus on physics?

If you have a particular interest in an area of science such as astronomy, or are interested in an entirely different area such as languages, then a joint honours degree might suit you.

Do you prefer to concentrate completely on physics? A single subject physics degree might suit you better.

Q) Single subject or joint honours

1. I want to look at joint honours degrees.
2. I prefer to stick to straight physics.

1.
Choosing a joint honours course gives you the chance to broaden your studies to include something you are really interested in or something new. Many universities offer specialist options. There are options in science-based areas such as astronomy, maths, meteorology, medical physics, space science, satellite technology and computer science. There are also less science based options such as music, philosophy or a foreign language. Some people think that joint honours won’t give you such a valuable degree. This isn’t true, as any degree with physics in the name has to contain enough physics to be accredited. The downside is that you have to deal with two different areas of study and some people say that you end up doing more work overall. Often you will be able to swap between joint honours and single subject at the end of your first year if you find it doesn’t suit you. Check that this is possible in any department you are interested in.

2.
By choosing a single subject physics degree you have the advantage of really specialising in something you are interested in and really getting to grips with all areas of physics. Some people worry they will find this too narrow, but remember you will still be offered options whether you go for single subject physics or not and often you can change to a joint honours at the end of your first year if you suddenly discover a love of a specialist option. Check that this is possible in any department you are interested in.

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Question 5

5) Entry grades – not quite what they seem.

Are you confident you know what grades you will get? It’s not easy to know in advance how well you will do on the day so it helps to know what your chosen university will accept (and it’s not always the grades they advertise or offer!)

Q) What grades?

1. I have taken my exams so I already know what grades I have.
2. I haven’t taken my exams yet but I am confident I’ll get AAB.
3. I haven’t taken my exams and I think I might get grades BBC.
4. I haven’t taken my exams and I think I am likely to get CCD.

1.
You have already taken your exams so you know what grades you have. This means you can select a university without worrying about needing an ‘insurance offer’. Look at the grades advertised but also try to find out what grades they actually accept. Remember some universities only advertise high grades to impress you but actually accept much lower grades. If you really want to go somewhere, there’s a good chance they will accept you if your grades are close to what they advertise. The best advice is to phone the admissions tutor early in the UCAS season and talk to them personally.

2.
As you are confident that you will get at least AAB then you are fortunate as you will get into pretty much any university offering physics. When you apply, you will be offered a place, conditional on you obtaining certain grades. The university will publish typical grade offers BUT often the actual grades you are offered are higher than the ones they really need you to get. Sometimes departments will publish high entry grade offers to impress you so that you think they are a better department. They hope you will put them down as first choice because of this, and put a department with a lower grade offer as second (insurance) choice. Beware of this! Don’t simply put a department as your first choice just because they have higher grade offers and another as insurance because their grades are lower. Choose the one you really like best – even if its grades are lower. The quality of the course and the teaching is not indicated by the entry grades offered by the department.

3.
As you think you will get grades around BBC you need to think carefully about how the UCAS system works. If you apply before taking your exams, you will be offered a place, conditional on you obtaining certain grades. The university will publish typical entry grade offers BUT often the actual grades you are offered are higher than the ones they really need you to get. Sometimes departments will publish high grade offers so that you think they are a better department. They hope you will put them down as first choice and put a department with a lower grade offer as second (insurance) choice. Beware of this! Don’t simply put a department as your first choice just because they have higher grade offers and another as insurance because their grades are lower. So! What should you do? Look at the grades advertised but also try to find out what grades they actually accept. If you really want to go somewhere, there’s a good chance they will accept you if your grades are close to what they advertise – even if you miss slightly! But above all, choose the department you really like best – even if its grades are lower. Even so, if you miss the grades your first choice department had offered you, phone them up as soon as you know. The admissions tutor may still be able to offer you a place. If not, then it’s worth looking at Physics with a Foundation Course. This course is 4 years with the first year being an intensive maths and physics course designed to get you working at the level required to do well on their degree course. Some courses are run in the physics department, others are run in a local FE college. It’s worth finding out where you will be studying. If the course is run ‘in house’ it’s likely to be tailored to exactly what their physics degree needs.

4.
As you think you will get grades around CCD it’s unlikely that you will be made many offers for direct entry onto physics degree courses. There are some universities that might take you, but you might find it hard to keep up with the others on the course. The best thing for you might be to look at the Physics with a Foundation Course option. This course is 4 years with the first year being an intensive maths and physics course designed to get you working at the level required to do well on their degree course. Some courses are run in the physics department, others are run in a local FE college. It’s worth finding out where you will be studying. If the course is run ‘in house’ it’s likely to be tailored to exactly what their physics degree needs.

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Question 6

If you want some extra money then look at universities offering bursaries to everyone on the course, although these can be quite small bursaries.  If you would like a little more, then look at those that are offering bursaries only to students who get above a certain points score – often about £2000. A few universities offer continuation scholarships where you continue to receive money each year if your grades are good enough. This can be anything from £250 to £2000 each year. This is worth looking at, as it’s a good incentive to keep you working hard!

The Institute of Physics has given money to physics departments to provide bursaries; these are administered by the departments so you should look at their website to see how they choose to allocate them.http://learningphysics.iop.org/beyond_school/university/ubs.html

Universities usually offer means tested bursaries to students whether they are doing physics or not. The main university site will give you details. But remember. Whether you get a means tested bursary or not, you are still eligible for an entrance bursary. Some universities offer bursaries to everyone on the course. These tend to be £1000 or less. If you would like a little more, then look at those that are offering bursaries only to students who get above a certain points score – often about £2000. A few universities offer continuation scholarships where you continue to receive money each year if your grades are good enough. This can be anything from £250 to £2000 each year. This is worth looking at as it’s a good incentive to keep you working hard!

As you are not interested in a bursary, this will not affect your choice of university.

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7) What about a gap year?

Do you plan to take time out before going to university?

Would you prefer a gap year part way through your degree?

Some people want a break from education after the stress of school exams so prefer to plan for a gap year. Others see it as a good opportunity to earn a little money or get some useful work experience.

Some people want to get on with things and don’t want to delay getting their degree.

Q) Do you want a gap year?

1. I don’t want a gap year; I want to graduate as quickly as possible.
2. I’d like a gap year, possibly before I go to university.
3. I’d like a work placement year as part of my degree.

Question 8

8) Does size matter?

What size of department suits you best?

Would you like being in a large department with lots of other people? Some departments have 150 – 200 physics students in a year group with 120+ academic staff so there are lots of people to get to know and probably lots going on.

Would you prefer a smaller department where you can get to know everyone? Smaller departments tend to have 30 staff and 60 students per year group or fewer. This makes it easier to get to know people but it may mean less opportunity for social events.

Q) Larger or smaller department?

1. I’d prefer a larger department.
2. I’d prefer a smaller department.

1.
By choosing to study in a larger department you have the advantage that there’s loads going on and plenty of people to make friends with. The downside can be that you will get one member of staff for each course and possibly not be taught by them again in your 3/4 years there – not good for getting to know people. And some people feel a bit lost in larger departments. However you might prefer to choose a larger department because the social life can be better.

2.
As you prefer smaller establishments a department of perhaps 60 students in a year group and only 30 staff is worth looking at. This means you will more easily get to know everyone but there may be less going on socially in the department so you would have to rely on social activities through the Students’ Union.

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Question 9

1.
On the face of it a timetable with only 10 contact hours per week sounds like heaven. But the thing to realise is that all students have to do the same amount of work – wherever they are. If the timetable looks light it’s because you are expected to do a lot of work on your own.  As you prefer working with people to being alone and if you find that talking through a problem and arguing your ideas helps you to understand, a ‘heavier timetable’ will help you get the best out of your time at university. Look for a department offering a timetable that schedules you to work at certain times as this will provide you with the discipline you need to get down to work.

2.
As you get on with your own work best when you are alone then a light timetable will suit you. A light timetable can be a good idea if you are very self-disciplined and prefer to work on your own. Perhaps you work best at midnight so getting up for a 10am workshop isn’t going to be a good thing for you. Perhaps being in a large group arguing about the best way to solve the problem doesn’t suit you as you get distracted. Look for a department that offers a light timetable with lots of private study.

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Question 10

10) Reputation of the University

The reputation of a university is a difficult thing to define. Sometimes it’s based upon how the university was 50 years ago and things have changed since then. Sometimes it’s based upon league tables but you have to be very careful how you read league tables.

For some the most important issue is the quality of the teaching.

Other people are keen to work with the latest high-tech research apparatus.

Q) Teaching quality or research rating

1. I want a department with a high grade for teaching quality.
2. I want a department with a high research rating.
3. I want a department with high grade for teaching and a high grade for research.

 

1.
Be careful whose opinion you listen to about the reputation of a university. Just because a university is (or was in the past!) a ‘good university’ doesn’t mean that the physics department has a good reputation. Also be careful about the league tables you find in newspapers. Each one is different as the newspaper itself decides how to award the marks. League tables for universities are not compiled centrally like school league tables. One thing you can be certain of is that ALL physics departments provide good physics degrees – they have all been accredited by the Institute of Physics to make sure that they do! For you it is important that the lecturers are good at explaining things and take note of what students want – remember very few physics lecturers are qualified teachers so not all of them are as good as your teachers at explaining things. The QAA assessment was a process where the teaching quality of all physics departments was assessed (a bit like OFSTED). You should read the report for any department you are interested in on

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/default.asp

Here you will see whether the style of teaching suits you. The best score a department could get was 24/24. The report also includes what their students thought of the department. Finally you might like to check whether the department has a high drop out rate. This report will tell you about drop out rates (progression rates). It’s not good getting into a department then finding that they don’t really give you the help you need and kick you out after a year.

2.
Be careful about whose opinion you listen to about the reputation of a university. Just because a university is (or was in the past!) a ‘good university’ doesn’t mean that the physics department has a good reputation. Also be careful about the league tables you find in newspapers. Each one is different as the newspaper itself decides how to award the marks. League tables for universities are not compiled centrally like school league tables. One thing you can be certain of is that ALL physics departments provide good physics degrees – they have all been accredited by the Institute of Physics to make sure that they do! For you the research rating of a department is important. The research rating of all departments was assessed for the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001 and will be again in 2008. The best rating a department could get was 5*. You can see all the departments’ ratings for 2001 on:

http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/rae_dynamic.cfm?
myURL=http://195.194.167.103/Results/byuoa/uoa19.htm

This will also tell you just how many members of staff are in the department. A high research rating means that the staff publish lots of high quality research papers and are well-known in their field of work. The benefit for students is that often there is a lot of very high quality research apparatus in the department for the lecturers to work on. This may mean that you could get to use it when you are doing your own final year research project. However it is possible that lecturers who devote a lot of time to research are not as interested in their students as those who devote more time to teaching. You might like to check whether the department has a high drop out rate. It’s not good getting into a department then finding that they don’t really give you the help you need and kick you out after a year. For this look at the Teaching Quality report for your department on:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/default.asp

It will tell you progression rates as well as what students think of the department – always worth knowing!

3. Be careful whose opinion you listen to about the reputation of a university. Just because a university is (or was in the past!) a ‘good university’ doesn’t mean that the physics department has a good reputation. Also be careful about the league tables you find in newspapers. Each one is different as the newspaper itself decides how to award the marks. League tables for universities are not compiled centrally like school league tables. One thing you can be certain of is that ALL physics departments provide good physics degrees – they have all been accredited by the Institute of Physics to make sure that they do! For you it is important that the lecturers are good at explaining things and that the department has a high rating for research. Remember very few physics lecturers are qualified teachers so not all of them are as good as your teachers at explaining things. The QAA assessment was a process where the teaching quality of all physics departments was assessed (a bit like OFSTED). You should read the report for any department you are interested in on:

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews/default.asp

The report includes what their students thought of the department and whether the it has a high drop out rate. It’s not good getting into a department then finding that they don’t really give you the help you need and kick you out after a year. The research rating of all departments was assessed for the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2001 and will be again in 2008. You can see all the departments’ ratings for 2001 on

http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/rae_dynamic.cfm?my
URL=http://195.194.167.103/Results/byuoa/uoa19.htm

This will also tell you just how many members of staff are in the department. A high research rating means that the staff publish lots of high quality research papers and are well-known in their field of work. The benefit for students is that often there is a lot of very high quality research apparatus in the department for the lecturers to work on. This may mean that you get to use it when you are doing your own final year research project. However it is possible that lecturers who devote a lot of time to research are not as interested in their students as those who devote more time to teaching.

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There’s a lot to think about when you choose your university. Above all it is essential to visit each department you are interested in and talk to the people who are there – staff and students. You can only get so much information from websites and league tables. Visiting is the only way to get a real feel for the place.

Find out more about physics at university:

http://learningphysics.iop.org/beyond_school/university/index.html

Good luck!

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