Physics

Physics - BSc (Hons)
with a Foundation Year

Undergraduate Open Day

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Physics gives you the tools to understand the Universe at a fundamental level, from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the behaviour of stars and galaxies. If you do not meet the entry requirements for our degree courses, our dedicated Foundation Year will give you the knowledge and skills needed for entry to any of our Physics or Astronomy degrees.

Overview

Discover the world of quantum mechanics, relativity, electromagnetism and condensed matter, and learn how physics is enabling breakthroughs in areas such as materials science, medical imaging and computing.

Develop the transferable skills to open up a world of job opportunities, leading to careers in research, engineering, medical physics, defence, teaching, finance and data analytics.

This course is designed for science students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry to Stage 1 of our degree courses. It is also an excellent conversion course for applicants who have shown academic ability in non-science subjects. We consider applicants without traditional academic qualifications who have relevant professional experience.

This course is fully accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP).

Reasons to study a Physics Foundation Year at Kent

  • Excellent teaching and research facilities including state-of-the-art laboratories, photonics centre and Beacon Observatory.
  • Our expert lecturers are both innovative teachers and active researchers working at the cutting-edge of research across a range of fields, from quantum materials to medical imaging.
  • Students meet regularly with their academic adviser to support their academic and career development.
  • Learn in a variety of settings, from lectures and interactive workshops to laboratory classes, computing sessions and team projects.
  • Flexible curriculum allows you to move between our courses in the earlier years, ensuring you are studying the best course for you.
  • Join our student-led Physics Society (PhySoc), Space Soc and Amateur Rocketry Society, who organise talks, practical demonstrations and social events.
  • Build the connections that matter thanks to our links with optical laboratories, local health authorities, aerospace/defence industries and software and engineering companies.
  • As a foundation year student, you are a full member of the University and can take part in all student activities.


    What you'll learn

    In your Foundation Year, you study mathematics, physics, electronics and computing, and take part in practical classes. Successful completion of the foundation year guarantees entry onto any of the School’s Physics or Astronomy degree courses.

    The first year of your degree will focus on the foundations of physics, including classical mechanics, special relativity, waves, fields, thermodynamics and astronomy. You will also begin to develop your mathematical, experimental and programming skills.

    In the second year you will deepen your understanding of modern physics, covering topics such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and atomic physics, as well as studying more advanced mathematics and numerical methods. You will carry out in-depth laboratory experiments and group projects, with the opportunity to work on problems suggested by our industrial, scientific and medical partners.

    The third year completes your study of the core of physics with more advanced modules including nuclear and particle physics, thermodynamics, and condensed matter physics. You will also conduct open-ended laboratory investigations and have the option to take specialised modules such as medical physics.

    See the modules you'll study

    Degree courses

    After successfully completing the Foundation Year you can progress to any three or four-year Physics or Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics courses. For more information about specific modules for stages 1-4, please refer to:

    School of Physics and Astronomy

    The School of Physics and Astronomy is a welcoming and supportive environment with a lively student community. Our physics teaching is underpinned by our research strengths in quantum materials, applied optics and imaging, and astrophysics and planetary science, giving you the chance to learn from experts and providing opportunities to become involved in our research.

    The flexible curriculum at Kent allows you to move between our range of physics-based courses in the early years, helping you find the right course for you. The student-run Physics, Space and Amateur Rocketry societies organise talks, practical demonstrations, trips and social events, and the School offers a programme of talks and careers events, including the annual Stephen Gray lecture.

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    Entry requirements

    The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.

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      A level

      For those with a relevant science qualification our standard offer is CDD with one of these to be Maths or Physics. For those without a relevant science qualification, our standard offer is BCC. 

    • medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

      The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.

    • medal-empty BTEC Nationals

      The University will consider applicants holding/studying BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) in a relevant Science or Engineering subject at 120 credits or more, on a case by case basis. Please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

    • medal-empty International Baccalaureate

      24 points overall, or 11 at HL including HL Maths/Maths Method or HL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at 4 or HL Maths Studies at 5.

    • medal-empty International Foundation Programme

      N/A

    • medal-empty T level

      The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.

    Please contact our Admissions Team for more information at studynats@kent.ac.uk.

    International students

    If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

    Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.

    English Language Requirements

    Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

    Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

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    Course structure

    Duration: 4 years full-time

    The following modules are indicative of those offered on this course. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. 

    At all stages in this course, the modules listed are compulsory.

    Fees

    The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:

    • Home full-time £9,250
    • EU full-time £16,400
    • International full-time £21,900

    For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

    For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

    Your fee status

    The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

    Additional costs

    Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

    Funding

    We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

    Search scholarships

    Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details. 

    The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

    At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. 

    The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

    Teaching and assessment

    Teaching is by lectures, practical classes, tutorials and workshops. You have an average of nine one-hour lectures, one or two days of practical or project work and a number of workshops each week. The practical modules include specific study skills in Physics and general communication skills.

    Assessment is by written examinations at the end of each year and by continuous assessment of practical classes and other written assignments. 

    Please note that you must pass all modules of the foundation year in order to progress onto Stage 1 of a degree course.

    Contact hours

    For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

    Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

    Programme aims

    The programme aims to:

    • Foster an enthusiasm for physics by exploring the ways in which it is core to our understanding of nature and fundamental to many other scientific disciplines.
    • Enhance an appreciation of the application of physics in different contexts.
    • Involve students in a stimulating and satisfying experience of learning within a research-led environment.
    • Motivate and support a wide range of students in their endeavours to realise their academic potential.
    • Provide students with a balanced foundation of physics knowledge and practical skills and an understanding of scientific methodology.
    • Develop in students a range of transferable skills of general value.
    • Enable students to apply their skills and understanding to the solution of theoretical and practical problems.
    • Provide students with a knowledge and skills base from which they can proceed to Stage 1 of any of the Physics or Physics-based degrees at the University of Kent.
    • Generate in students an appreciation of the importance of physics in the industrial, economic, environmental and social contexts.

    Learning outcomes

    Knowledge and understanding

    You gain knowledge and understanding in physical laws and principles and their applications. Areas covered include:

    • Laws of motion.
    • Electromagnetism.
    • Wave phenomena and the properties of matter.
    • Necessary aspects of mathematics.

    Intellectual skills

    You gain intellectual skills in how to:

    • Identify relevant principles and laws when dealing with problems and make approximations necessary to obtain solutions.
    • Solve problems in physics using appropriate mathematical tools.
    • Execute an experiment or investigation, analyse the results and draw valid conclusions.
    • Use mathematical techniques and analysis to model physical phenomena.

    Subject-specific skills

    You gain subject-specific skills in:

    • How to to present and interpret information graphically.
    • Communicating scientific information, in particular producing clear and accurate scientific reports.
    • The use of laboratory apparatus and techniques, including aspects of health and safety.
    • The systematic and reliable recording of experimental data.
    • Making use of appropriate texts, research-based materials or other learning resources as part of managing your own learning.

    Transferable skills

    You gain transferable skills in:

    • Problem-solving including the ability to formulate problems in precise terms, identify key issues and have the confidence to try different approaches.
    • Independent investigative skills including the use of textbooks, other literature, databases and interaction with colleagues.
    • Communication skills when dealing with surprising ideas and difficult concepts, including listening carefully, reading demanding texts and presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.
    • Analytical skills including the ability to manipulate precise and intricate ideas,  construct logical arguments, use technical language correctly and pay attention to detail.
    • Personal skills including the ability to work independently, use initiative, organise your time to meet deadlines and interact constructively with other people.

    Independent rankings

    Over 86% of final-year Physics students were satisfied with the quality of the teaching on their course in The Guardian University Guide 2023.

    Careers

    Graduate destinations

    Kent Physics graduates have an excellent employment record with recent graduates going on to work for employers:

    • Defence Science and Technology
    • Rolls Royce
    • Siemens
    • IBM

    Career-enhancing skills

    You graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge and extensive laboratory experience. In addition, you also develop the key transferable skills sought by employers, such as:

    • excellent communication skills
    • work independently or as part of a team
    • the ability to solve problems and think analytically
    • time management.

    You can also enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.

    Help finding a job

    The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

    • apply for jobs
    • write a good CV
    • perform well in interviews.

    Professional recognition

    Fully accredited by the Institute of Physics.

    Apply for Physics with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

    If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.

    Find out more about how to apply

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    International applicants

    Contact us

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    International student enquiries

    Enquire online

    T: +44 (0)1227 823254
    E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

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    School website

    Physics and Astronomy

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