Key information
- Duration:
- 4 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- A*AA
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- F322
- Start date:
- September 2025
- 7th in the UK for our research environment in Physics in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- Top 20 in the UK for Physics (Guardian University Guide 2025)
Quantum technology has the power to transform the way we live and work. This exciting and rapidly growing field could help solve global issues – from making powerful medicines, understanding chemical reactions, creating better batteries and materials, to reducing our carbon footprint, and beyond. On this course, you’ll explore the fascinating world of quantum technology and also gain a broad understanding of the core principles of physics. Throughout your studies, you’ll:
- use the latest equipment and state-of-the-art laboratories
- gain a broad range of skills in theoretical and experimental physics
- develop specialist knowledge in quantum technologies
- learn to apply your knowledge and skills in real-world applications and in industry
- benefit from our strong links with industry and international collaborators.
This course is for you if want to change the world and help make quantum technologies a reality. The degree offers you the exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge quantum technology research here at Sussex each summer, and get funding to cover your living expenses during that time. It might even be possible to work in your research group during term time, provided you excel in your studies and have extra time you’d like to dedicate to research.
At Sussex, you’ll learn from world-leading researchers and key influencers in industry. Our research informs your modules.From quantum computers to quantum sensors, and from atomic clocks to the quantum internet, this degree helps you understand and develop a whole new generation of technologies, based on the strange properties of quantum physics. You’ll benefit from the expertise in the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies. You’ll join one of our quantum technology research groups for the full duration of your course. From sustainability to economics and modern languages, you take electives from other subjects to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests.
Your broad training in physics equips you for a wide range of careers, while your specialisation in quantum technology will allow you to join the expanding quantum technology sector. During your research placements and integrated Masters year, you’ll develop new research skills – particularly relevant if you’re interested in going on to a research career at universities or in industry.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Studying with us, you will not just learn about quantum technologies, you’ll become part of one of our world-leading quantum technology groups.”Professor Winfried Hensinger
Professor of Quantum Technologies
Director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies
Course content
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Your degree
In Year 1, you’ll gain a solid background in the key areas of physics. This will give you the basis to understand quantum technologies. Supported by our experts, you’ll learn the key theories and carry out experiments in our laboratories.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions.
55%: Lecture
15%: Seminar
30%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations and coursework.
40%: Coursework
60%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 400 hours of contact time and about 800 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
- Foundations of Data Analysis
- Introduction to Astrophysics
- Mathematical Methods for Physics 1
- Mechanics and Heat
- Physics Study Success
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Spring teaching
Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course
At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.
As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives and pathways that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in three electives – one in Year 1 and two in Year 2 – helps enrich your learning experience.
Discover our electives and pathways
Engineering and physics principles drive the green energy transition. In our Sustainable Energy elective, I’m excited to work with you to explore all the available information – and discuss your ideas.”Professor Simon Peeters
Professor of Physics
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Your degree
In Year 2, you’ll build on the knowledge gained in your first year. You’ll develop a more advanced understanding of the principles and techniques needed for quantum technologies. Putting theory into practice, you’ll gain deeper theoretical skills and carry out more advanced experiments.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions.
45%: Lecture
15%: Seminar
40%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations and coursework.
40%: Coursework
60%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 340 hours of contact time and about 860 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
- Electrodynamics
- Mathematical Methods for Physics 3
- Physics Year 2 Laboratory
- Summer Research Placement 1
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Explore modules from other subjects as part of your course
At Sussex, you can choose to customise your course to build the sort of degree that will give you the knowledge, skills and experience that could take you in any direction you choose.
As part of this degree, you explore subjects that are different to your course through electives and pathways that complement your main subject. Exploring different disciplines in three electives – one in Year 1 and two in Year 2 – helps enrich your learning experience.
Discover our electives and pathways
Engineering and physics principles drive the green energy transition. In our Sustainable Energy elective, I’m excited to work with you to explore all the available information – and discuss your ideas.”Professor Simon Peeters
Professor of Physics
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Your degree
In Year 3, you’ll master core topics in physics and explore how they can be applied to quantum technologies.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions.
40%: Lecture
20%: Seminar
40%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations and coursework.
40%: Coursework
60%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 350 hours of contact time and about 850 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
- Advanced Physics Laboratory A
- Atomic Physics
- Condensed State Physics
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Summer Research Placement 2
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Your degree
In Year 4, you’ll apply all the knowledge and experience gained so far to understand cutting-edge topics in quantum technologies. As part of your research project, you’ll carry out original research in quantum technologies.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include lectures and seminars.
75%: Lecture
10%: Seminar
15%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include examinations and coursework.
70%: Coursework
30%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 210 hours of contact time and about 850 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Autumn and spring teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
- Atom Light Interactions
- Data Analysis Techniques
- Quantum Computing
- Quantum Field Theory
- Symmetry and the Standard Model
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more details of the modules running in the academic year 2025/26.
Research placements (each summer throughout this degree)
Our MPhys course with a research placement is a stimulating intellectual challenge for well-qualified students, providing unique training for a future research career. You can apply to work on a research problem with a member of faculty in the Department of Physics and Astronomy each summer before Years 2, 3 and 4.
During the summer research placements, you receive funding to cover your living expenses.
Find out more about our research placements and summer projects at Department of Physics and Astronomy: Undergraduate Research
What makes our undergraduate Quantum Technology degree the first of its kind?
- Video transcript
Professor Winfried Hensinger: When people tell me something can't be done, I just love to try.
[Screen reads 'Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies’]
Professor Winfried Hensinger: Quantum physics is a theory that governs everything around us, every process in nature. Quantum computers will enable us to investigate the fabric of reality to create a better future.
[Caption reads ‘Professor Winfried Hensinger, Director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies’]
Professor Winfried Hensinger: I've spent 20 years working with colleagues to understand and develop the science. Now we are building a full-scale quantum computer that will be able to find the answers to some of the most urgent technical challenges of our time.
From designing drugs for healthcare to making aircraft engines more fuel efficient. University of Sussex has become a powerhouse for quantum technology. We've launched the world's first quantum technology undergraduate degree, where students carry out research from day one, and we have vital links with industry to make amazing things happen.
[Screen shows: University of Sussex logo]
Creating the right teaching environment makes an enormous difference to students’ education.”Sebastian Weidt
Professor of Quantum Computing and Entrepreneurship
Co-founder and CEO of quantum computing company Universal Quantum
Read Sebastian’s story
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
(Teaching Excellence Framework 2023)
Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
Quantum technology transforms the world in seemingly impossible ways. On this course, you’ll learn from leading experts so you’re prepared to help shape the future of quantum research, applications and industry.”Professor Jacob Dunningham
Professor of Physics
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is a friendly hive of activity. You’ll join a close-knit community. Our open-door policy means that whatever you need, we’ll be there to support you.
A-level - contextual offer
AAA
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades AA in A-levels and Distinction in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.