Physics

To study physics is to join a great tradition of scientists, from Newton to Faraday and from Watt to Hawking, to study interactions on the largest scale imaginable (between stars and galaxies) to the smallest scale we know of (between sub-atomic particles). In short, it's the study of the universe. And it doesn't get much bigger (or smaller) than that.

So it's no surprise that the demand for graduates is growing. Physics courses have a strong emphasis on analytical skills (and often have a fair proportion of maths skills too), and the degree is a highly respected qualification. Graduates end up in a whole range of professions, in areas as diverse as research, teaching, computing, medicine, or engineering.

The usual offering is a BSc of three years' duration, although about a third of physics students do a four-year MPhys or MSc. These courses give you the opportunity to specialise in the final year, and get a deeper understanding in the areas of your choice. The courses cover a variety of topics, with many institutions offering modules in medical physics, astronomy, space and science, applied physics and other related topics, so check if these are available - though the modular course structure at many universities means that you should be able to tailor your course to fit your interests and career aspirations if you look hard enough.

Teaching is based on the usual mixture of lectures, tutorials, lab work and seminars, with the mix dependent on the institution you are at. Most courses also demand a dissertation in the final year, which is an excellent opportunity for engaging in the joys (and otherwise) of your own experimental or theoretical research.

Once qualified, and if you want to stay a scientist, the Institute of Physics, the professional body for physicists, can help you to obtain recognised professional status, such as chartered physicist (CPhys) and chartered engineer (CEng). The simplest first step to becoming chartered is to do a degree that has been accredited by the IoP, otherwise you have to prove that the course is equivalent to an accredited degree. It's far easier to check the accreditation before you start.

Click here to read more from InterStudent.co.uk