A week in the life of a physics undergraduate
From lectures to laboratory-based practicals and personal tutorials, discover what a typical week looks like as a first-year BSc or MPhys physics student at Surrey.
How you'll learn
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of:
- Computer programming classes
- Group work
- Laboratory-based practicals
- Lectures
- Online learning
- Seminars
- Tutorials.
Outside of these, you’ll be expected to carry out independent study, including coursework, essays and reading.
We’ve also introduced hybrid learning, a mix of online and face-to-face sessions, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A typical week in your first year
In your first year, you'll receive approximately 22 contact hours each week.
Monday
- 9am - 1pm – Scientific Investigation Skills – Laboratory practical
- 2pm - 4pm – Fundamentals of Physics – Lecture
- 4pm - 5pm – Essential Mathematics – Lecture
- 5pm - 6pm – Essential Mathematics – Computer programming.
Tuesday
- 11am - 1pm – Scientific Investigation Skills – Lecture
- 2pm - 3pm – Oscillations and Waves – Lecture
- 3pm - 5pm – Fundamentals of Physics – Lecture with class tutorial
- 5pm - 6pm – Oscillations and Waves – Class tutorial.
Wednesday
- 10am - 12 noon – Scientific Investigation Skills – Lecture
- 12 noon - 1pm – Head of Department – Drop-in session.
Please note, Wednesday afternoons are left free for sporting and other University society activities, such as PhySoc.
Thursday
- 11am - 1pm – Scientific Investigation Skills – Lecture
- 2pm - 3pm – Oscillations and Waves – Lecture
- 5pm - 6pm – Essential Mathematics – Computer programming.
Friday
- 10am - 11am – Small Group Problem Solving – Tutorial
- 2pm - 3pm – Essential Maths – Lecture
- 3pm - 4pm – Oscillations and Waves – Lecture.
Life outside of lectures
We’re a campus university so everything you need is within a five-minute walk, including the Students’ Union building, grocery shopping, wellbeing and support services, the launderette and the medical centre. Students also have access to more than 180 student clubs and societies, with interests ranging from mixed martial arts to mah jong, and poker to politics.
Nearby Surrey Sports Park is a £36m facility, offering state-of-the-art training facilities such as a climbing wall and an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Guildford’s picturesque cobbled high street boasts a wide range of retail and catering outlets, plus an excellent range of pubs and a busy nightlife. The town is also only a 35-minute train journey to London.
Find out more about undergraduate study in our Department of Physics.
Disclaimer: The timetable and modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication and may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps. Given the changing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, our hybrid learning model is under continuous review. See the latest information on all changes.