2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
MSci Theoretical Physics (F340)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: A*AA
A-level contextual offer: AAB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£27,200 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2023 entry only. Fees for 2024 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2023.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Join a University ranked in the UK top five for Physics research (THE analysis of REF 2021) with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning.
Studying Theoretical Physics, you will learn how to understand and predict phenomena in the physical world, based on a conceptual and mathematical understanding of the laws of the universe.
Our course focuses on the fundamental constituents and forces of nature. It explores how quantum physics and relativity can help us to comprehend the Universe. You will have the opportunity to study advanced topics which could include:
- quantum information
- condensed matter physics
- general relativity
- theoretical particle physics
Our MSci Theoretical Physics course incorporates a greater level of mathematics and theory than MSci Physics, with less emphasis on practical laboratory work!
Apply to join a friendly department with a very active, award-winning student society. Many of our graduates go on to pursue further academic research. This often progresses to careers in research and teaching. The problem-solving and mathematical skills gained in this degree are also highly valued in finance, IT and management, as well as a wide range of other careers.
The course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Think Big bursaries of £3,000 are available to support first-year international undergraduate students in this subject area.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and Physics
A-level contextual offer
AAB including AA in Mathematics and Physics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
D*DD in Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four specified Physics units, and A in Mathematics at A-level.
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7, 6 (in any order) at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
88% overall, with 9.0, 8.5 in Mathematics and Physics (in any order)
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and Physics, and Standard Higher: AAAAA
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Mathematics units (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry); and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Physics units.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- The admissions statement above relates to 2023 entry. The statement for 2024 entry will be available in summer 2023.
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
