Physics and Astronomy (International Gateway BSc) BSc (Hons)

The School is rated highly in various teaching league tables, and in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework the quality of our physics and astronomy research was rated joint third in the UK. Our teaching is informed by our research; final year projects are usually carried out within our research groups. Distinctive features of this course. The Gateway programme is an alternative first year designed as part of our commitment to keep open entry routes to talented people who have experienced disadvantage. This applies particularly to those from schools with a low progression rate to higher education, and people from less financially advantaged areas of the country. A slightly lower set of Higher (or equivalent) grades is asked for than for the traditional entry routes. Students in the Gateway entry year have about half their time on existing physics and maths modules, and about half their time on strongly-tutored small-group sessions aimed at improving physics, maths, study, computation, thinking, and related skills. Success in this entry year allows progression to the second year of study in any of the accredited BSc and MPhys degree programmes run within the School, and also to the joint degrees with Mathematics. Once in to second year and beyond students are then registered for their Physics, Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics, Physics and Maths, or Theoretical Physics and Maths programmes, with all the usual opportunities that those programmes provide.