Physics 2014 Entry Hopefuls!

(I'm being naughty: I'm a current physics student, but this caught my eye.) There are a wide range of careers you can go into after studying physics. Some people choose to go into research, and go on to do a PhD and go down that route. For those who don't, there are careers in industry: you could go into research and development for a company, for example. As you've said, you can become a teacher. In a physics degree, you're fairly likely to learn some computer programming, and some people find they enjoy that and go into computer programming. A physics degree demonstrates that you are numerate, and so people who choose not to stay in physics after their degree might consider accounting/other things of that type. As someone else said, other jobs which don't require a specific degree are open to you as well. Personally, I want to become a medical physicist in the NHS, essentially making sure that radiation is used safely and appropriately in hospitals. I certainly wouldn't have known I wanted to do that when I applied for my degree! If physics interests you, don't worry too much about the fact that you don't know what you would like to do with it yet: there are plenty of careers opportunities in physics, and you would probably hear about a lot as an undergraduate.

Also don't worry about the fact that you don't know what area of physics you would like to go into: you would try a lot of things at university before you had to make any definite decisions. The fact that physics covers everything from the sub-atomic to the cosmos means that there are a lot of different areas of it, many of which you have probably never heard of. You do need a good physical aptitude, but especially at good universities, maths is much more important: one major difference between A levels and undergraduate level is how mathematical everything is.

I hope that's helped?

Alright guys. Imperial physics with theoretical physics (A*A*A) or warwick maths+physics (A*AA)?

I'm going to firm Imperial but I can't decide between Manchester and Bristol for my insurance.
I think they're quite similar in terms of teaching quality and, being an EU student, one of the most important factors for me it's their international reputation.
Which one would you personally choose?

Durham vs St Andrews for Physics?

Durham vs St Andrews for Physics?

Durham vs St Andrews for Physics?

I have an offer for physics at Warwick (which I was thinking of switching to maths and physics if I were to go), but I'm choosing Imperial over it. I'd prefer to try out living in London than on a campus, but you might be completely different. Think that's a big factor in choosing between the two

Thanks
Are they equivalent in all other aspects though? I hear people talking about imperial's prestige but a) is it true?, b) is it a big deal?, c) does it really blow Warwick's out of the water? I thought Warwick's maths department was one of the best!

I'm also probably firming Imperial and insuring Bristol
...
The only thing that terrifies me is, what if I miss the offer by one A* and Imperial turn me away? I'd be gutted if that happens as I still would've made Warwick's offer. But I do like Bristol too so I'm pretty happy

Ahh I have the same concerns. I couldn't help but feel a little overqualified for Bristol's offer if I just missed by one. It's hard to remember that the severity of the offer isn't proportional to how good the university is :P

They're really not. So many schools cheat that the become pointless and the boundaries are inflated

I would prefer to have two 150UMS exams and no ISAs tbh.

Yeh exactly I think they should just scrap it cus there's no way they could monitor it to ensure no schools are cheating- my physics teachers tell us nothing which is fine (of course) but its pretty frustrating when in many other schools they're just told what to put when I have to work for it agh :/
Yup so would I, if they want to test us in analysing an experiment they could just put in a q there


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Yeh exactly I think they should just scrap it cus there's no way they could monitor it to ensure no schools are cheating- my physics teachers tell us nothing which is fine (of course) but its pretty frustrating when in many other schools they're just told what to put when I have to work for it agh :/
Yup so would I, if they want to test us in analysing an experiment they could just put in a q there


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My physics teachers have always been really strict on this. (Although, there was a huge scandal in the biology ISA last year, leading to them all doing EMPAS this year). It just means that this year, now regulations have been tightened up, we're all still prepared!

Ooh, which halls did you apply for (accommodation wise)?

What's your insurance?

Random question, but.. how do you picture physics?! Like what do you think of in your head when someone says physics ?!