The Student Room Group
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>
Uni students - Complete our survey >>

Which Physics course?

Hi there! So I was planning on studying Physics at Birmingham, or maybe Lancaster (i don't really know), but what actually concerns me is the course selection.

What would you recommend taking up - the Theoritical Physics (MSci), Physics with Particle and Cosmology (MSci), the Physics and Astrophysics (MSci), or a standard Physics (BSci / MSci)?

I've read they are very much the same in at least the first year, but if you have any suggestion or info I would be very thankful to read them.
The first year will be the same, and the second year will probably only vary by one module between the different strands. You should be able to change course any time until (usually) half way through second year, so it's not critical to make the right choice now. However, standard physics gives you the most flexibility with module choice, allowing you to specialise in anything that catches your fancy. From a funding point of view, it's usually better to go for an MSci, as you will be granted four years funding from the beginning. If you apply for a BSc and then change your mind later, it means more faffing around with Student Finance.
Original post by Schadenfreude65
The first year will be the same, and the second year will probably only vary by one module between the different strands. You should be able to change course any time until (usually) half way through second year, so it's not critical to make the right choice now. However, standard physics gives you the most flexibility with module choice, allowing you to specialise in anything that catches your fancy. From a funding point of view, it's usually better to go for an MSci, as you will be granted four years funding from the beginning. If you apply for a BSc and then change your mind later, it means more faffing around with Student Finance.


I see. That's very helpful, thanks!

Do you know anything about the international courses where you spend your third year abroad? They are suppose to be the same as normal physics courses but I don't know if it's the best option for a UK student (I'm from Spain).
Original post by CiclingSpider
I see. That's very helpful, thanks!

Do you know anything about the international courses where you spend your third year abroad? They are suppose to be the same as normal physics courses but I don't know if it's the best option for a UK student (I'm from Spain).

I don't know much about them, but I think they are a great idea, both for the experience, and because it impresses future employers. Students who have done a year abroad have higher graduate employment rates than those who haven't. Also, if you are considering a career in Physics research, I think international study experience will be very helpful, as there is so much international cooperation on large projects, such as those at CERN and ESA.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you