Physics undergraduate courses
We have state-of-the-art facilities including a student observatory, excellent partnerships which include the National Physical Laboratory, and offer a flexible choice of theoretical and applied physics modules across both our BSc and MPhys courses.
Join us!
Get a flavour of what it's like to study physics with us from Professor Jim Al-Khalili and physics student, David.
Developing your employability
*UK domiciled graduates of full-time, undergraduate qualifications, in full-time employment, from higher education institutions.
Connect with employers
Our Employability and Professional Skills Advisor, Kay Pearson, works on a range of opportunities for our students to connect with employers during their studies.
Site visits and fairs
Open days at research institutes and labs are available for our students. We also promote specialist careers fairs in areas such as technology, aerospace and aviation as well as organise visits to part of the Medical Physics department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.
Summer placements
We offer summer placements between four to twelve weeks long. They are a great chance to gain some work experience mid-course, whether or not you intend to go on a Professional Training placement in your third year.
SEPnet runs a tailored scheme for physics undergraduates each year.
Employer talks
Each semester, there is a programme of employer talks held in the department. Recent speakers include:
- Framestore (digital media/special effects)
- Ultra Electronics (nuclear radiation detectors)
- Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
- NPL (National Physical Laboratory).
Employment mentoring
Employer mentors can offer support and guidance with things like:
- Gaining an insight into a particular area of work
- Thinking about whether to stay in academia after your course or move into commerce, industry or business
- Developing your professional network
- Learning about an organisation or company and its culture.
Placements
Both our BSc and MPhys courses offer the chance to undertake a placement during your studies.
Professional Training placements
The BSc (Hons) courses offer an optional paid Professional Training placement, which provides our students with an excellent foundation for both employment and further study.
Research placements
For those interested in a career in research, our MPhys courses offer a year long integrated placement that is often spent abroad, where you get involved in real research. We have links with national and international partner organisations such as TRIUMF, leading European universities and large UK research facilities such as Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.
Placement companies
Our students on Professional Training placements and research years spend their time at a very wide range of employers such as:
- TOPTICA Photonics UK
- InSync Technology Ltd
- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- Technical University Clausthal (Germany)
- Royal Surrey County Hospital
- MBDA.
- Hedge Fund Intelligence
- Padova Observatory (Italy)
- CGI IT UK
- NATS (National Air Traffic Services)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
- Philips Respironics.
- IBM
- Airbus Defence and Space
- St John the Baptist school
- PerkinElmer
- Atkins
- VMware
- RBA Acoustics Ltd.
- The Home Office
- Aviva
- Merck
- Tesla Engineering Ltd
- Plastipack Ltd
- STFC Central Laser Facility
- NPL (National Physical Laboratory).
What our students say
Facilities
Take a virtual tour around some of our leading facilities, including the Physics Undergraduate Labs, Advanced Technology Institute and the Observatory. Read more about our facilities.
Your university experience
Get involved in extracurricular activities to enhance your career prospects and know that you are studying within a department who celebrates equality and diversity.
Find a course
Our courses are flexible, providing a solid grounding in the fundamentals of physics while also providing students with the option to take modules that interest them or switch between courses.
We offer three and four year BSc (Hons) courses, and four year integrated masters (MPhys) courses.
Find out more about applying to Surrey.
