Theoretical Physics with Study Abroad (2025 Curriculum)

The BSc in Theoretical Physics with Study Abroad programme at the University of Exeter will give you a solid understanding of modern physics, with an emphasis on Theoretical Physics applications. At the same time, it will develop your professional skills and will prepare you for your future career as a physicist. Our programme, which we expect to be fully accredited by the Institute of Physics in November 2025, is carefully designed around a skills development roadmap that starts on day one and continues across the whole degree. Stage by stage, you will develop your understanding of classical physics, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, solid state physics, and many other aspects of modern Physics, while you also take a series of specialist modules in Theoretical Physics. In parallel, and through our carefully designed skills development curriculum, you will become proficient at fundamental professional and highly employable skills like experimental physics, data analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, science communication, and scientific programming.

In Stage 3 of this 'with study abroad' programme, you will broaden your experience by studying physics in a new cultural environment. We have links and fee-exchange agreements with physics departments in a wide range of countries. You will return to Exeter to take further modules and complete your degree.

Since Physics is an inherently collaborative discipline, the final year of the program also involves substantial open-ended project work. BSc students undertake two one-term extended projects, which may be experimental or theoretical in nature. You will have the opportunity to undertake team-based work tackling real-world problems and have the chance to develop your ability to communicate the results of complex investigations to a variety of audiences in different ways.

This programme is intended to:

• Provide education and training of high quality in Physics.
• Stimulate and encourage in students a questioning and creative approach, thus developing their enthusiasm for Physics and a capacity for independent judgement.
• Facilitate students' personal development through the acquisition and use of a wide range of transferable skills, which will be taught through a dedicated set of weekly activities.
• Provide students with a sound foundation in Physics, preparing them well for employment or further study and meeting the national needs for qualified graduates as identified by the relevant professional accrediting bodies.

The Physics department also intends to provide students taking this programme with:

• Opportunities to engage with a range of advanced concepts and applications, drawing upon the specialist expertise of the staff.
• The opportunity, through the flexibility provided by a wide range of choices of both degree programmes and modules, to complete a programme of study relevant to their interests and aptitude.
• Regular and frequent small group contact with staff with the appropriate teaching skills and experience, including current activity in high-level research.

An environment which is caring and supportive in both academic and pastoral aspects and which will have encompassed an appropriate range of teaching methods and broadened their learning experience.

The BSc Theoretical Physics with Study Abroad degree is a 4-year full-time programme of study at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into 4 stages.

Physics and Astronomy degrees have a Stage 1 year structured so that transfers between programmes are straightforward in most cases.

The programme is divided into units of study called modules. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload. 1 credit is nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. The 'level' of a module indicates its position in the progressive development of academic cognitive abilities, and/or practical skills. An 'elective' is an unspecified module that allows the student to broaden their education, e.g. by learning a foreign language. More details are given in the module description template specification.

Interim / Exit Awards

With the requisite number of credits, a student may qualify for a Certificate of Higher Education or a Diploma of Higher Education.

Guidance on Interim and Exit awards (and the difference between than can be viewed here: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/pma/introduction/#exit-interim

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website.

You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

You may take elective modules (instead of options) outside of the programme in stages 2 and 4 of the programme, as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook.

Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

The department has a dedicated Pastoral Mentor, that can provide support for students who face difficulties beyond standard academic matters.

Additionally, the University provides a wide range of student support services including Student Counselling Service, Student Health Centres, Study Skills Service, Nursery (Streatham campus), Student Advice Centre (Guild of Students), Chaplaincy International Office, English and Foreign Language Centres.

In addition to that, the Department provides a personal academic tutor that would follow the student’s path along the degree and will be able to advise on any academic difficulties the student might face during their degrees. Also, the department provides a Physics handbook and web-based learning materials on-line (ELE2), problems class sessions to support the lecture-based material, and a Student/Staff Liaison Committee so students can contribute directly to the enhancement of educational and other provision at discipline level.

The University Careers Advisory Service provides expert advice to all students to enable them to plan their futures, through guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation.

The University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a large library at Camborne School of Mines and a number of specialist collections in certain Schools. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the University including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham, St Luke's and CSM campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked via RESNET to the University's campus network. Additionally, the School of Physics has its own dedicated facilities.

Further information about the above services is published on the Web.

The normal minimum entry qualifications required for this programme are equivalent to Three GCE A levels including Mathematics (or Pure Mathematics) and Physics. Offers of places typically require three GCE A levels at grades in the range AAA-ABB or equivalent (300-340). For more information, refer to the detailed entrance requirements available at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/physics/physicsbsc/

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed Faculty assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both Faculty and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).

The University and its constituent Departments draw on a range of data in their regular review of the quality of provision. The annually produced Performance Indicator Dataset details admission, progression, completion and first career destination data, including comparisons over a five-year timespan. Progression statistics are included in routine internal monitoring and review processes. This programme will be accredited by the Institute of Physics, pending confirmation expected in November 2025.