Subject overview

Why physics and astronomy?

The laws of physics are fundamental to all physical sciences. As a physicist or astronomer you are driven by curiosity to understand the world around you, studying interactions that give rise to the behaviour of matter at all levels. Knowledge of physics not only leads to a profound understanding of the physical world but provides a platform for developing new and innovative ideas – the technology we use in our daily lives is based upon the laws of physics. You will discover how to use well-understood physical principles to explain and predict the properties of complex systems, from sub-atomic particles to distant galaxies.

Antonella's faculty perspective

‘Working on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, one of the biggest physics experiments ever constructed, is a unique opportunity for experimental particle physicists of my generation. I feel very privileged to be part of science history in the making.

‘As an acknowledged researcher in my field, I publish my results in leading physics journals and present them to the scientific community at international meetings and conferences. Research is such a big part of who I am and what I do, and I always try and integrate it in my teaching and all interactions with my students.

'Our degrees, besides providing core training in fundamental physics research, also equip our students with a broad range of transferable skills that are in high demand with employers, such as advanced problem-solving skills, advanced computing and data analysis, and detailed knowledge of sophisticated experimental techniques.’

Dr Antonella De Santo
Professor of Physics,
University of Sussex

Programme content

An increasing number of students are keen to study for a degree in physics or astrophysics but – although they have the necessary talent – their qualifications do not include the required Physics and Mathematics A levels (or their equivalent). This course is designed to address this, and includes a specially designed foundation year taught at Sussex. In the more than 20 years it has been running, we have built up considerable experience of teaching students from a wide variety of backgrounds, many of whom have gone on to career success or further academic training. 

The foundation year is taught on campus and you are treated in every respect as a full undergraduate student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. You are taught by University of Sussex lecturers and study modules in physics and mathematics at a level that is an excellent preparation for progression to BSc or MPhys courses in physics and astronomy. The topics covered are mathematics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, waves, modern physics and properties of matter, as well as laboratory work. The foundation year is intensive and requires hard work and commitment. 

The foundation year is taken by a range of different students with a variety of backgrounds, but all applicants need to demonstrate both their interest in physics and an aptitude for mathematics.

For recent school leavers, we would normally expect that you either did not have the opportunity to take A levels in Mathematics or Physics at school, or that you have since decided on a change of direction. If you have grades in relevant subjects but these are below our requirements for first-year entry, we would recommend that you resit these rather than apply for the foundation year. 

If you do have A levels, we would generally expect you to offer two broadly scientific or quantitative subjects and to have evidence of competence in mathematics. For other applicants, we would expect evidence of mathematical as well as scientific aptitude – for example, the Open University course Using Mathematics (MST 121), or an AS level in Mathematics. You may be asked to come for an interview and/or a mathematics assessment during an Admissions Day. For information on non-UK qualifications, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

Much of the material in this foundation year is common to the parallel course in engineering – BEng in Engineering degrees (with a foundation year) – and emphasises applicability. On satisfactory completion of the foundation year, you transfer to any of our three- or four-year BSc or MPhys courses. 

Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

A level

Specific entry requirements: For recent school leavers, if you are thinking of applying for the foundation year, we would normally expect that you either did not have the opportunity to take A levels in Mathematics or Physics at school, or that you have since decided on a change of direction. If you have grades in relevant subjects (ie. Mathematics and Physics) but these are simply below our requirements for first-year entry, we would recommend that you resit these rather than apply for the foundation year. For those with other A levels, we would generally expect you to offer two broadly scientific or quantitative subjects and to have evidence of competence in mathematics. For other applicants, we would expect evidence of mathematical as well as scientific aptitude - for example the Open University course Using Mathematics (HST212) or an AS level in Mathematics. Please note: applicants for the foundation year may be asked to come to an interview and/or a mathematics assessment during an Admissions Day as part of the selection process.

International Baccalaureate

Specific entry requirements: As with A level applicants, if you have recently taken the International Baccalaureate Diploma you should only be considering our foundation year if you did not take the appropriate combination of Higher Level subjects for first year entry to our main Physics and Astronomy degrees. For such students, we will be looking for a reasonable overall score (of at least 28 points), with indications of an interest in Physics and evidence of competence in Mathematics. Please note: applicants for the foundation year may be asked to come to an interview and/or a mathematics assessment during an Admissions Day as part of the selection process.

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with at least a grade B in the Diploma and at least B in the Additional and Specialist Learning.

Specific entry requirements: The Additional and Specialist Learning will need to be in a broadly scientific or quantitative subject (preferably either Mathematics or Physics). Please note: applicants for the foundation year may be asked to come to an interview and/or a mathematics assessment during an Admissions Day as part of the selection process.

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DMM

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate evidence of competence in Mathematics and an interest in studying Physics. Please note: applicants for the foundation year may be asked to come to an interview and/or a mathematics assessment during an Admissions Day as part of the selection process.

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

Related subjects

• Business and management studies
• Computing
• Economics
• Engineering
• Mathematics

Fees and funding

Fees

Home/EU students: £9,000¹
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £9,000²
Overseas students: £13,000³

¹ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
² The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
³ The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.

Funding

The University offers a number of scholarships. The most outstanding applicants may wish to apply to our MPhys in Physics (research placement), which offers a unique combination of additional financial support and genuine research experience during the undergraduate degree.

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Careers and profiles

This course helps you to develop versatile skills that are in high demand among employers. Our graduates are able to go into employment in fields such as research and development, banking and finance, product development, health sciences, teaching and postgraduate study, and computing and information technology. 

Our careers officer gives advice and organises events and talks by speakers such as Sussex graduate and Rough Science star Jonathan Hare.

Recent graduates have taken up a wide range of posts with employers including: business analyst at American Express • PhD student at University College London • PhD student at the University of Portsmouth • telephone researcher at Network Research • tutor at Maths Doctor.

Specific employer destinations listed are taken from recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education surveys, which are produced annually by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

Dan's career perspective

‘I started my foundation year with A levels in music technology, theatre studies and law. Although I’d no background in science, I began the year bright and eager and was soon saturated with huge amounts of new information. However, with careful guidance from my personal tutor and extra tuition in any subject I struggled with, I succeeded in passing that first year. Throughout the following years at Sussex that support and encouragement never waned and I graduated with a BSc in Astrophysics.

‘On the strength of my prize-winning undergraduate project observing variable stars in our galaxy, I secured a place to do a PhD and later became a Doctor of Astrophysics.

‘I’m now a Postdoctoral Scholar in Astrophysics at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the US, where I work in the number-one centre for imaging science in the States. My research takes me all over the globe, using the world’s best telescopes to try and better understand the universe we live in. I direct my own research and manage a NASA award granted to me of over $125,000.

‘I’m a firm believer in the foundation you get from a degree in physics at Sussex. It is nothing less than an extraordinary platform to launch yourself into unimaginable career opportunities.’

Dan Dicken
Postdoctoral Scholar in Astrophysics, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA

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Jonathan's staff perspective

‘Sussex provides world-leading teaching and excellent academic facilities, with a vibrant student life in a fantastic location. All of this meant that I left Sussex with a unique set of experiences and a degree that has prepared me for my future.

‘Joining Student Recruitment Services at the University has enabled me to share my experiences of Sussex with others. Coming to an Open Day gives you the opportunity to meet our research-active academics and our current students, while exploring our beautiful campus. But don’t worry if you can’t make an Open Day, there’s plenty of other opportunities to visit Sussex. Check out our Visit us and Open Days pages or our Facebook page to find out more.

‘I’ve loved every moment of my time at Sussex – these have been the best years of my life.’

Jonathan Bridges
Graduate Intern, Student Recruitment Services