Is a degree in Physics with Philosophy worth it?

4

I'm an A-level student who takes maths, physics, and chemistry. This course looks super interesting online, but I'm not sure it's a course that can get me into a good job/is worth the money. Any insights?

Reply 1

black-haired-cad

6

Original post

by duskdaisies

I'm an A-level student who takes maths, physics, and chemistry. This course looks super interesting online, but I'm not sure it's a course that can get me into a good job/is worth the money. Any insights?

Short answer- no. A physics degree is kinda usless, if you want to do physics you should just do engineering it will open more doors

Reply 2

unknownnn7

10

Original post

by duskdaisies

I'm an A-level student who takes maths, physics, and chemistry. This course looks super interesting online, but I'm not sure it's a course that can get me into a good job/is worth the money. Any insights?

I think a physics degree can be quite hard to find jobs with, however its better to do a course you like and will do well in rather than a course you dislike!!
With your A-level choices, you could have a look at chemical engineering! It has alot of the physics aspect mixed with math and chem 🙂

If you are set on studying philosophy, id recommend having a look at maths and philosophy instead.
A maths degree is very versatile and is much more employable!
or consider a physics+math degree

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post

by duskdaisies

I'm an A-level student who takes maths, physics, and chemistry. This course looks super interesting online, but I'm not sure it's a course that can get me into a good job/is worth the money. Any insights?

Physics and philosophy is no better or worse than a single honours physics degree. Arguably it might help develop some other transferable skills you may not pick up as readily in a single honours physics degree, but that's probably kind of marginal as an argument :tongue:

Physics is also no better or worse than engineering or maths in principle, contrary to the assertions of the above posters. Also grads from all three areas will largely be applying to the same pool of jobs - the main difference is engineering grads may have some more roles within the engineering sector that are more aligned to an engineering degree (i.e. in engineering design) that wouldn't be as typically open to graduates from any numerate discipline.

I'd note also no degree will guarantee you "a good job" so you need to accept that level of risk when going to uni. If you are unable or unwilling to do so then you should not look at applying to a degree at all and just look at applying directly to entry level roles as a school leaver or apprenticeship schemes, which will get you into employment immediately to begin working up the career ladder.

Reply 4

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

20

Original post

by duskdaisies

I'm an A-level student who takes maths, physics, and chemistry. This course looks super interesting online, but I'm not sure it's a course that can get me into a good job/is worth the money. Any insights?

Physics itself is a great degree and if you enjoy physics in the context of the philosophical debates/questions then it’s probably worth looking at, i might recommend you find a program whereby if you want to transfer back onto straight Physics you can also do this.

As to career prospects and money, physics as an industry is pretty small, basically academia and a small amount of private research institutions, however physics graduates are highly desirable in lots of fields, of course science & technology based industries, but also software, finance, manufacturing industries… however what you will probably find is they are not that interested in the degree expertise you built and more the skills particularly problem solving and analytical, as such you will be competing with huge amounts of graduates and will have to make sure you build these skills at university.

Another user has mentioned engineering, engineering certainly has more dedicated career opportunities for the degree and very similar general prospects to physics, of course if your interests are learning about quantum mechanics or cosmology engineering won’t give you this… it is much more physics related to human applications. There is a compromise pathway this route which is to do a bachelor’s in physics and a master’s in engineering, which is fairly common however you do have to navigate the postgraduate funding process for the masters via this route.

(edited 1 month ago)

Is a degree in Physics with Philosophy worth it?

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