- 8th in the UK for world leading and internationally excellent research1
- 5th in the UK for Physical Science in The Sunday Times University Guide 2012
- 95% satisfaction with teaching quality in the National Student Survey (2011)2
- 8th in the UK for graduate level employment3 (Unistats 2011)
- Newly renovated student resources including teaching laboratories and study environments
- Weekly, small group tutorials with academic staff
- An experimental or theoretical project of up to 2 academic years duration on the MPhys degrees
- Multi-million pound investment in electromagnetism, biomedical and astronomy research, plus a new Centre for Graphene science
- Opportunities to study abroad or take a salaried industrial placement year
The study of Physics is both stimulating and thought provoking, and requires commitment. At the University of Exeter you will discover a very well-equipped department of Physics and Astronomy, staffed by academics dedicated to their research and teaching. Set in a beautiful location, our department provides an inspiring environment for you to address the intellectual challenges that arise as part of your scientific training.
Our research is highly rated and this has enormous benefits for you as a student. Lectures are illustrated with in-depth descriptions of recent discoveries and many of our option modules reflect our research interests. You can obtain first-hand experience of what it is like to conduct research by undertaking a project in one of our research groups. In some cases such project work has led to published research papers.
The department is well equipped with a variety of modern apparatus in the undergraduate laboratories and extensive IT facilities for you to use. Advanced research facilities include clean-rooms for photo- and nano-lithography, mechanical and electronic workshops and a helium liquefier, enabling world leading low temperature research. Our research laboratories contain facilities for the fabrication of nanostructures, amplified ultra fast laser systems for the study of ultra high speed phenomena, and a suite of instruments for imaging biological materials. State-of-the-art supercomputers are used in our astrophysics and theoretical research. You will have the opportunity to use these facilities during your research project work.
We firmly believe in individual attention, and you will meet the academic staff in tutorials, in problem-solving classes, in the laboratories and when you undertake project and research work. There is an active and effective Staff/Student Consultative Committee where suggestions and ideas can be discussed and actioned. You will feel part of a department that is enthusiastic about physics and astronomy and wants you to succeed.
Our Physics and Astronomy degrees are well-understood and respected in industry and commerce. Our Single Honours programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics and will give you a sound basis for a satisfying and fruitful career as a professional scientist.
Numbers
Exeter
Entrants: 88
Applicants: 657
A Physics degree will get you anywhere. Employers love problem solving, analytical skills and people that are good with numbers and computers. During the degree you’ll develop strong time management, report writing, presentation making and organisational skills, and you’ll get plenty of team work experience. You’ll learn how to do your own programming, and labs allow you to think freely and apply what you’ve learnt in lectures. These skills will give you a huge range of opportunities; a good Physics degree from a good University is a fantastic investment for your future and your career.
I'm now doing a graduate job at QinetiQ as a scientist. I’ll be using physics for research and development, to produce new technologies to solve a range of problems for both the Ministry of Defence and commercial businesses.
Alexandra Paterson, BSc Physics recent graduate
1 Research Assessment Exercise 2008 based on percentage of research categorised as 4* and 3*
2 Percentage of students who agreed they were satisfied
3 Based on the percentage of students currently in employment who hold a graduate-level position
