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.
Entry requirements
A-level
Typical offer | AAA |
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Contextual offer | View 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. Â 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 |
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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. |
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Subjects | You must have either Mathematics at A-level and Physics or as a Cambridge Pre-U Principal subjects.
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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Contextual offer | View 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 |
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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
|
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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. |
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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.
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European Baccalaureate
Typical offer | Overall result of at least 80% |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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 |
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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. |
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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.
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Croatia
Typical offer | Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of 4.5 |
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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.
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Cyprus
Typical offer | Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of 19/20 and above will be considered for first-year entry. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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):
We will also consider students for entry into our integrated foundation years with 60+% |
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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 |
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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 |
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