Expand+How and when to Apply
How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained...

Hide-How and when to Apply
How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in Autumn 2020 from 1 September 2019.

Advisory closing date: 15 January 2020 (18:00).

Late applications are, in practice, accepted by UCAS throughout the remainder of the application cycle, but you should understand that they are considered by institutions at their discretion, and there can be no guarantee that they will be given the same full level of consideration as applications received by the advisory closing date.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Expand+A level requirements
ABB including Mathematics and Physics

Irish leaving certificate requirements
H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Mathematics and Physics

Access Course
Successful completion of Access Course with ...

Hide-A level requirements
ABB including Mathematics and Physics

Irish leaving certificate requirements
H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H3 in Mathematics and Physics

Access Course
Successful completion of Access Course with a minimum of 80% in each Level 3 module. Must be relevant Access Course with substantial Mathematics and Physics modules (eg Engineering)

International Baccalaureate Diploma
33 points overall including 6 5 5 at Higher Level including Mathematics and Physics. If not offered at Higher Level/GCSE then Standard Level grade 4 in English would be accepted.

Graduate
A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirements are also met.

Selection Criteria

In addition, to the entrance requirements above, it is essential that you read our guidance below on 'How we choose our students' prior to submitting your UCAS application.


Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Mathematics and Physics. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For entry last year, applicants for programmes in the School of Mathematics and Physics must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C or better (to include English Language and Mathematics), though this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of performance in individual BTEC units rather than the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Applicants offering other qualifications will also be considered. The same GCSE (or equivalent) profile is usually expected of those candidates offering other qualifications.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of degree courses in the School of Mathematics and Physics, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.


International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs


If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.
•Foundation
The INTO progression course suited to this programme is:
http://www.intostudy.com/en-gb/universities/queens-university-belfast/courses/international-foundation-in-engineering-and-science.

Expand+Overview
Physics studies how our Universe works, from the smallest atomic nucleus to the largest galaxy. Our BSc Physics with Astrophysics degree is aimed at students who have an interest in astronomy and wish to understand the physics behind the pr...

Hide-Overview
Physics studies how our Universe works, from the smallest atomic nucleus to the largest galaxy. Our BSc Physics with Astrophysics degree is aimed at students who have an interest in astronomy and wish to understand the physics behind the pretty pictures. Students undertaking this degree will still obtain a thorough grounding in modern physics, but will also take astrophysics modules that allows them to understand the workings of our Universe.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/physics-astrophysics-msci-f3fm/#overview

Expand+Course Content
Students cover all subjects in stage 1 and stage 2 and may choose from a large range of subject areas in stage 3

Stage 1
In their first year students study a core of experimental, theoretical and computational Physics, alongside ...

Hide-Course Content
Students cover all subjects in stage 1 and stage 2 and may choose from a large range of subject areas in stage 3

Stage 1
In their first year students study a core of experimental, theoretical and computational Physics, alongside Applied
Mathematics.

Classical Mechanics
Electromagnetism
Light and Optics
Quantum Theory
Relativity
Solid State Physics
Thermal Physics

Practical work will be performed in our new state-of-the-art teaching centre laboratories. Here students will encounter the physical phenomena learned about in their lectures, as well as computer programming. Tutorials, based around the lecture courses, give experience in problem-solving and verbal and written communication. Within the course students will receive basic skills training in writing, presentations and personal/career development.

Stage 2
At Stage 2, according to degree selection, modules are taken which reveal the excitement of such areas as:

Astrophysics I
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Quantum Physics
Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
Physics of the Solid State

Advanced Laboratory work develops the skills of planning, carrying out and analysing experiments and simulations, and provides opportunities for deepening understanding of the wide applicability of physics. At Stage 3, a choice of modules is made to develop in-depth understanding of such areas as:

Stage 3
Astrophysics II
Advanced Electromagnetism and Optics
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Physics in Medicine
Quantum Mechanics and Relativity
Advanced Solid State Physics
Professional Skills

Project work entails a major experimental or computational investigation of a particular physics problem. This is undertaken using state-of-the-art equipment installed in the School’s new Teaching Centre. This includes projects on ultrasound, MRI and X-ray imaging, gamma ray spectroscopy, lasers, atomic force and scanning tunnelling microscopy, nanomaterial fabrication and characterisation, and astronomical observations.

Expand+The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year, and may be acces...

Hide-The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year, and may be accessed online via the School website. Physics modules are typically assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and a final written unseen examination.

Continuous assessment consists of:
Student Tutorial Questions/ Lecture Assignments – This involves the completion and submission of example problems on a weekly (tutorial) or three-weekly (assignment) basis as answered by individual students. These are submitted by students by an appropriate deadline and assessed, with the mark awarded contributing to the continuous assessment element of the module mark. The mark awarded reflects accuracy and clarity of the submitted answers together with understanding of the subject matter. Consistent with employer feedback, some modules also require students to prepare and make a small group presentations on a pre-assigned topic. Such group activities are also assessed, with the mark awarded contributing to the continuous assessment element of the module mark. To aid such exercises all students in their first year are given instruction and guidance on making successful presentations.

Laboratory and Computational Skills – All physics students are required to learn and understand the basic concepts of experimental physics. This involves understanding the basics of measurements, accuracy and error analysis; being able to understand and (in later levels) assess different methods of performing experimental measurements; reporting experimental findings and comparing them with prior knowledge of expectations based on physical laws. Assessment tales place through short laboratory reports or presentations, for which instruction is given. Additionally, all students will be given training in software coding using computer languages appropriate for scientific investigations, and this is assessed through worksheets and assignments.

Examinations – Most modules require the sitting of an unseen examination, to assess individual understanding of physical concepts and the ability to tackle problems in the taught areas of physics.

Expand+Career Prospects
Introduction
Students are encouraged to apply for summer or extended placements with local companies. Employers who specifically seek our Physics students for placements include Seagate and General Electric. Some MSci projects are ...

Hide-Career Prospects
Introduction
Students are encouraged to apply for summer or extended placements with local companies. Employers who specifically seek our Physics students for placements include Seagate and General Electric. Some MSci projects are undertaken in collaboration with outside organisations, including local companies, the NHS, and national and international facilities.

Physics graduates earn 14 per cent more on average than other graduates (HESA 2014). They have a significantly lower unemployment rate on qualification and over a lifetime, only graduates in medicine or law earn more than those with a physics degree (Institute of Physics Careers Survey 2012).

Physics-related jobs are available in research, development, and general production in many high technology and related industries. These include medicine, biotechnology, electronics, optics, aerospace, computation and nuclear technology. Physics graduates are also sought after for many other jobs, such as business consultancy, finance, business, insurance, taxation and accountancy, where their problem-solving skills and numeracy are highly valued. In Northern Ireland alone in 2015, there were almost 59,000 jobs in physics based industries (Institute of Physics Report 2017).

About half of our students go on to further study after graduation. Some physics graduates take up careers in education, while a number are accepted for a PhD programme in Physics, which can enhance employment prospects or provide a path to a research physicist position. Most of the rest of our graduates move rapidly into full-time employment, most in careers that require a degree.

Employment after the Course
As part of the assessment within our modules, students will have to prepare reports, give presentations and work together within small groups. Students will become experienced in using spreadsheet and ord processing software to analyse and communicate their findings. Additionally, basic computer programming is taught to allow computational modelling of physical phenomena, which can then be applied to many non-scientific areas of commerce and industry. The problem-solving and communication skills that are essential to scientific study are also recognised as important attributes for many other careers.

Typical career destinations of graduates include:
• Industrial Physics
• Telecommunications
• Medical Physics
• Research scientist
• Computer technology
• Forensic accountant
• Nuclear Physics
• Biophysics
• Education
• Financial analysis

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Additional Awards Gained

Students will have partially fulfilled the requirements to obtain the status of Chartered Physicist (CPhys) with the Institute of Physics.

Prizes and Awards

Top performing students are eligible for a number of prizes within the School.

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.