Physics (with an industrial placement year) MPhys

Key information

Duration:
5 years full time
Typical A-level offer:
AAA
View full entry requirements
UCAS code:
F305
Start date:
September 2026
  • 7th in the UK for our research environment in Physics in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
  • Top 20 in the UK for Physics 
  • =20th in the UK for Physics

From subatomic particles to entire galaxies, physics allows us to explore the big questions, while having a significant impact on our daily lives.

At Sussex, you’ll explore fascinating subjects, learning from world-leading researchers. Their work includes developing next-generation quantum computers, investigating quantum gravity and black holes, searching for fundamental particles at CERN and studying our universe from the Big Bang to modern times. You could be working with researchers who are part of a team using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Your teaching and modules are directly influenced by our research.

You’ll use the latest equipment and state-of-the-art laboratories, and gain a broad understanding of the core principles of physics. Options enable you to specialise in areas you find most fascinating. You’ll apply this knowledge across a range of areas including:

  • astrophysics
  • quantum physics
  • particle physics
  • materials science
  • mathematical physics.

You’ll also work with one of our expert research teams. You could be making exciting discoveries during your final-year project and through research placement opportunities. You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a year working in industry. You can choose from a range of companies and we have links with employers through .

Our Department 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.

By graduation, you’ll have developed skills much in demand with employers. You’ll gain an analytical approach to problem solving, data analysis skills and solid research skills. Your training will open doors to exciting careers in:

  • research
  • finance
  • industry.

Accreditation

  • Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.

To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. This can be a fantastic opportunity to gain real-life insight into industry as well as skills valued by employers. You’ll be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can help you:

  • find an employer
  • draft an application
  • prepare for interviews.

Don’t worry if you’re not successful, you’ll simply transfer to a non-placement version of your course.

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.

MPhys or BSc?

We also offer this course without the industrial placement year, with research placements, as a three-year BSc, or as a four-year BSc with an industrial placement year. 

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Entry requirements

A-level

Typical offer

AAA

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

Subjects

A-levels must include Mathematics and Physics. 

 

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Extended Project Qualification

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer.  We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us

Other UK qualifications

Access to HE Diploma

Subjects

 

 

Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects (including A-level mixes)

Typical offer

M1, M1 and M2

If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade B at A-level and, M2 and M1 in two Pre-Us. 

If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades AB at A-level and M2 in the Pre-U.

Subjects

You must have either Mathematics at A-level and Physics or as a Cambridge Pre-U Principal subjects.  

 

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

34 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Subjects

Higher Levels must include Mathematics, with a grade of 6 and Higher level Physics.

For entry, either Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level will be accepted.

     

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels

Typical offer

Grades AA in A-levels plus Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.

Contextual offerView contextual offer

Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan

Subjects

A-levels must include Mathematics and Physics.

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects.

Scottish Highers

Typical offer

AAAAA

Subjects

Highers must include both Mathematics and Physics. Ideally, you will also have an Advanced Higher in Mathematics (grade A).

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced

Typical offer

AAB-ABB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels

 

 

Subjects

A-levels must include Mathematics and Physics.  

GCSEs

You should have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer

34 points overall from the full IB Diploma.

Subjects

Higher Levels must include Mathematics, with a grade of 6 and Higher level Physics.

For entry, either Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation at Higher Level will be accepted.

     

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer

Overall result of at least 80%

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in Mathematics is essential (normally with a final grade of at least 8.5) and Higher level Physics.

Other international qualifications

Australia

Typical offer

Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and a score of 95% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 2 or better.

 

 

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Austria

Typical offer

Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of 1.6 for first-year entry.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Belgium

Typical offer

Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average. 

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bulgaria

Typical offer

Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects).

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Canada

Typical offer

 Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses

British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AAABB from 5 grade 12 courses

We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Typical offer

If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects.

We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution.

The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our . If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex.

Check which  for the International Foundation Year.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

 

Croatia

Typical offer

Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of 4.5

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

 

Cyprus

Typical offer

Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of 19/20 and above will be considered for first-year entry.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Czech Republic

Typical offer

Maturita with a good overall average.

Subject-specific knowledge

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Denmark

Typical offer

Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7-10 on the new grading scale.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Finland

Typical offer

Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result of at least EEMM

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Typical offer

French Baccalauréat with overall final result of at least 14/20.

Additional requirements

You will need to be taking the science strand within the French Baccalaureat with a final result of at least 14/20 in Mathematics and Physics.

Physics is desirable, but we will consider applicants on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Typical offer

German Abitur with an overall result of 1.8 or better.

Additional requirements

You will need to achieve a final mark of at least 14/15 in Mathematics and Physics.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

 

Greece

Typical offer

Apolytirion with an overall average of at least 19 will be considered for first-year entry. 

You must also have either Apolytirion pathway in Mathematics with a score of 19 or the Pan Hellenic in Mathematics with an overall score of 17. You will also need High score levels in Physics.

Additional requirements

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Typical offer

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 5, 4 from three subjects including two electives

Additional requirements

You must have some advanced/higher level ability in Mathematics, and will need to complete both the Compulsory and Extended Mathematics components.

Advanced/higher-level ability in Physics.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hungary

Typical offer

Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55555.

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Typical offer

Standard XII results for entry into 1st year (depending on board and course choice):

  • 70%-80% from ISC Indian School certificate of Education (CISCE)  
  • 70%-80% from SSC All India Senior School Certificate Examination (CBSE)
  • 70%-80% Maharashtra HSC Higher Secondary Certificate
  • 70%-80% Tamil Nadu Board of Higher Secondary Education
  • 70%-80% Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board
  • 70%-80% Telangana State Board of Secondary Education
  • 70%-80% Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Education
  • 80% Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education
  • 80% Bihar School Examination Board
  • 80% Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board
  • 70% West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education

We will also consider students for entry into our integrated foundation years with 60+% 

Additional requirements

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Typical offer

Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years

Subject-specific knowledge

Evidence of existing academic ability in both Mathematics and Physics is essential.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ireland

Typical offer