2026/27 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Physics

Programme overview

Programme code
BS-PHYS
UCAS code
F300
Duration
3 Years
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Stuart Lumsden
Contact address
S.L.Lumsden@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
360
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Physics and Astronomy
Examination board through which the programme will be considered
Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups
Physics
Professional Body Offering Accreditation
Institute of Physics

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

Studying Physics at the University of Leeds will provide you with the opportunity to delve deeply into the fundamental laws of nature and participate in cutting-edge research alongside renowned academics and researchers at the forefront of Physics and Mathematics.

You will have access to state-of-the-art research and specialized facilities on campus, including the purpose-built Sir William Henry Bragg Building, which serves as the academic home for physics students. Here, you will have access to top-of-the-line laboratories and specialized teaching spaces, as well as the Bragg Centre where scientists and engineers work together to address global challenges in technology, society and economy. During your final year, you will have the chance to collaborate with our physicists on current research projects.

At Leeds, we recognize the vital role physics plays in industry, and as such, our courses are designed to reflect the latest advancements and applications of the subject. All of our physics courses are professionally accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for chartered physicist (CPhys) status. This program will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to launch a successful career in this highly valued profession, with a wide range of career options available to you.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS1000First Year Physics Assessment100Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS1010Mechanics, Relativity and Astrophysics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS1020Thermodynamics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS1030Electronics, Solid State and Introduction to Quantum Physics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS1040Vibrations, Waves and Optics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS1050Coding and Experimental Physics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates can study up to 20 credits from the following optional modules.
Candidates who have chosen 10 credits of optional modules must take a 10 further credits of Discovery modules.

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
MEDP1002Introduction to Medical Physics10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS1500Introduction to Nanotechnology10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS1510Planets and the Search for Life10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS1700Artificial Intelligence for Scientists10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Discovery Modules

Candidates can study up to 20 credits of Discovery modules, ensuring that they study for 120 credits in total.
Candidates who have chosen 10 credits of optional modules must take a 10 further credits of Discovery modules.

Year 2

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS20002nd year Physics Assessment80Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS2010Quantum Mechanics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS2020Statistical Mechanics and Computation0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS2030Condensed Matter Physics0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP
PHAS2040Electromagnetism0Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)PFP

Optional Modules

Students must choose one of these modules as an optional module:

Students should choose 40 credits from the following modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS2100Experimental Physics and Extended Investigation40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS2150Experimental Physics and Astrophysics40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Year 3

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module (40 credits):

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS3000Project40Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study 80 credits from the following lists of optional modules.

Candidates must choose at least 30 credits in each semester.

Candidates can choose up to 80 credits from List A

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS3100Star and Planet Formation20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS3110Cosmology20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS3200Advanced Optics with Photonics20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS3300Quantum Matter20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS3310Magnetism and Ferroic Materials20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS3400Advanced Quantum Physics20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS3410Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics20Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS3420Advanced Mechanics20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS3500The Physics of the Molecules of Life20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS3510Molecular Simulation with Machine Learning: Theory and Practice20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Candidates can choose to study up to 20 credits from list B

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
PHAS3600Physics in Schools20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS3610Group Innovation Project20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Candidates can choose to study up to 20 credits from list C

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
CAPE3331Nuclear Operations20Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
MEDP3512Magnetic Resonance Imaging10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MEDP3514Ultrasound Imaging10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
MEDP3531Medical X-ray imaging10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MEDP3532X-ray Computed Tomography10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHIL3852Philosophy of Modern Physics20Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3151Dynamics of Weather Systems10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3410Atmosphere and Ocean Climate Change Processes10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3535Atmospheric Physics10Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3610Oceanography in the Earth System10Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Last updated: 20/05/2026 15:08:51

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team