Physics Summer School

Join our Physics Undergraduate Summer School, gaining expert knowledge in the field and improving your academic prospects.

Summer Students in a Physics Lab

Summer School Programme 2024 update

Applications for our 2024 Undergraduate Summer School are now open

Start your application or read our guide on how to apply.

Browse our modules

Our Physics Undergraduate Summer School teaches two modules. A module is a self-contained, credit-bearing unit of study. You will have a set of learning outcomes and an assessment at the end.

Each module carries 15 credits and lasts for four weeks (one session). You take one module per session.

Session One

1 July - 26 July 2024

  • Introductory Physics 1

    Module code: ISP01

    This calculus-based module will provide a firm foundation in physical concepts and principles, covering kinematics and dynamics, fluids, elasticity, wave motion, sound, ideal gases, heat and thermodynamics. Applications of physical concepts will be stressed, particularly those related to biological and medical phenomena as well as those forming the basis of much of modern technology. You gain further insight into the physics taught by carrying out a series of laboratory experiments and learning how to analyse and interpret the data.

    Recommendation: This is an intensive module, requiring good mathematical skills, including algebra and trigonometry and a knowledge of vectors and of differential and integral calculus. We also recommend that you view our Maths preperation and Excel training. Please check with your home institution that your mathematics is at an appropriate level.

    Note: This is an intensive academic module. For a 15 credit module taken over four weeks you need to do about 100 hours of self-study over and above the scheduled 48 contact hours. This means that you should be working for about 25 hours per week in addition to attending classes. You need to bear this in mind when planning trips and travel and outside class.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Have a basic knowledge of the physics topics covered in the course.
    • Be able to solve physics problems at the appropriate level which requires use of this knowledge.
    • Be able to demonstrate familiarity with simple scientific equipment, make accurate measurements, keep records of observations, analyse and interpret data and write scientific reports on experiments.

    Teaching method: Laboratory, lectures and workshops
    Assessment: 65% Exams, 25% Practical Laboratory Reports, 10% In-class tests
    Contact hours: 88 hours 
    Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
    Level: 4
    Labatory Fees: £300

Session Two

29 July – 23 August 2024

  • Introductory Physics 2

    Module code: ISP02

    Note: You can only take Introductory Physics 2 if you have completed Introductory Physics 1.

    This calculus-based module will provide a firm foundation in physical concepts and principles, covering kinematics and dynamics, fluids, elasticity, wave motion, sound, ideal gases, heat and thermodynamics. Applications of physical concepts will be stressed, particularly those related to biological and medical phenomena as well as those forming the basis of much of modern technology. You gain further insight into the physics taught by carrying out a series of laboratory experiments and learning how to analyse and interpret the data.

    Recommendation: This is an intensive module, requiring good mathematical skills, including algebra and trigonometry and a knowledge of vectors and of differential and integral calculus. We also recommend that you view our Maths preperation and Excel training. Please check with your home institution that your mathematics is at an appropriate level.

    Note: This is an intensive academic module. For a 15 credit module taken over four weeks you need to do about 100 hours of self-study over and above the scheduled 48 contact hours. This means that you should be working for about 25 hours per week in addition to attending classes. You need to bear this in mind when planning trips and travel and outside class.

    Learning outcomes:

    • Have a basic knowledge of the physics topics covered in the course.
    • Be able to solve physics problems at the appropriate level which requires use of this knowledge.
    • Be able to demonstrate familiarity with simple scientific equipment, make accurate measurements, keep records of observations, analyse and interpret data and write scientific reports on experiments.

    Teaching method: Laboratory, lectures and workshops
    Assessment: 65% Exams, 25% Practical Laboratory Reports, 10% In-class tests
    Contact hours: 88 hours
    Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
    Level: 4
    Labatory Fees: £300

Not sure how to choose?

Follow our top tips for choosing your modules. You can also find out about our teaching structure, assessment process and how your credits transfer back to your home institution.

Find out more.

The University of Sussex reserves the right to cancel modules due to staff availability, student demand, minimum enrolment, or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

I wanted to continue improving myself and practice being independent by studying abroad.” AN NGUYEN
Physics Summer School student - University of California, Irvine

Which school will I study in?

You'll study in the Department of Physics and Astronomy which is part of the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. 

You’ll learn from world-leading faculty who are making ground-breaking discoveries and working on projects such as next generation quantum technology devices. 


Find out more.

Our physics and astronomy research

Our researchers are working on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, exploring the mysteries of dark energy in the universe and developing next generation quantum technology devices.

Our research influences the way we teach, and you learn from academics at the forefront of their fields.


Find out more.

Contact

If you are studying at Sussex for a summer and have questions, email summer@sussex.ac.uk


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