This four-year Physics (International Study) BSc degree programme provides a thorough training in physics, together with the opportunity to study at a university in another European country, or further afield such as Australia, Canada and Japan.
The emphasis during the year abroad is on developing ability in the foreign language, if applicable, and on understanding the cultural, historical and social aspects of the host country. The combination of skills students acquire in physics and mathematics with fluency in a foreign language is attractive to potential employers.
To undertake an exchange to a non-English speaking university, BSc students must hold a GCSE (grade B or above) in an appropriate language. Students are required to continue with language lessons during the first two years of their studies at the University of Birmingham.
There are many opportunities to undertake project work during the degree. For those who take laboratories, this will be as part of their lab work in the first two years. A project develops a wide range of skills including planning and report writing. Group studies in the final year is a major project which is undertaken in groups of 10-20 students. The task requires the group to work as a team and enables students to solve a problem of much greater magnitude than could be attempted by an individual. The team work skills learnt here are invaluable in success in a future career.
Students will be taught by academics who are global experts in their field, students will gain a broad understanding of the essential concepts of physics, ranging from entropy to quantum mechanics and beyond. The transferable skills students will also learn will make them very employable; including problem solving, computing and giving presentations.