Employability
Our graduates use their skills as physicists in a huge range of careers, working in fields from satellite technology to data management. Of the graduates who obtain either a BSc or an MPhys degree here, typically around a third or more go on to study for a higher degree, such as a PhD or an MSc.
In a typical year about half our graduates go into jobs, and half go onto further study. For example, Mark Glanville studied here for a BSc in Physics with Satellite Technology, and is now working for the BBC, and Jason Rawlings studied for an MPhys in Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics, and is now at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory doing a PhD looking at galaxy formation and evolution.Our graduates work for a wide range of companies that look for the skills and knowledge a physics degree provides. Gareth Davies obtained a BSc in Physics here, is now working for BAE Systems.
Further study is typically either a PhD as Jason is doing, or an MSc. A PhD is the recognised next step in a career in research, while MScs are specialised postgraduate qualifications, often associated with a particular industry. For examples, see the Department's MScs. Note that an MSc is a qualification you do after a first degree such as a BSc or an MPhys.
Graduates do MScs and PhDs both in the Department and elsewhere.For instance, Amy Bartlett studied for an MPhys in Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics here and then a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics also here. She is now working for the consultancy company Detica.
We also have graduates who did their first degree elsewhere and came to us to do an MSc Eman Daar, came here to do an MSc in Medical Physics. She stayed on here to do a PhD, and is now back in Jordan, as an Assistant Professor at the University of Jordan. Also Amani Alalawi came here to study for an MSc in Medical Physics, and she is now studying for a PhD here.
Graduate Destinations
At the Careers Service website there is also a full list of companies graduates of the Department work at. Examples of jobs our graduates have gone on to are: Graduate Engineer at Astrium, Consultant at Cascade Technologies and Remote Sensing Scientist at QinetiQ. The latest Surrey graduate survey are for 2010 graduates. Of the 25 graduates who replied, 10 of these were in employment, 13 were undertaking further study, 1 was looking for work, and 1 was taking time out in order to travel. Of the 13 graduates doing further study, 6 were doing PhDs, 6 were doing MScs and 1 was doing a PGCE. This is for graduates approximately 6 months after graduation.
Plot of the radiation dose (height) as a function of x and y, for radiotherapy of prostate cancer. Image produced by Surrey student Mukhtar Al Shanqity.