Physical Sciences (4 year route including a Foundation Year at Carmel College)
UCAS code F308
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- Starts on:
About this course
Studying this programme provides a route into any of the BSc (Hons) degree programmes offered by the Department of Physics.
Introduction
This programme provides a route into any of the BSc (Hons) degree programmes offered by the Department of Physics. You will undertake a foundation year at Carmel College, St Helens, where the class sizes are small and the standards of academic achievement high.
At Carmel College, you will take three foundation modules chosen from Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography, depending on which degree route you want to follow. In your second year, you will attend the University of Liverpool and take the same modules as other students on your chosen programme.
Find information about what essential and optional modules you will need to take during your Year Zero at Carmel College to progress to your chosen University of Liverpool degree programme in our guide to progression routes.
What you'll learn
- Skills needed for independent study at undergraduate degree level
- Undertaking a variety of learning methods and assessment tasks
- Fundamental principles that underpin modern physics
- Latest advances in cutting-edge physics research
Routes
- Physics BSc (Hons)
- Physics and Mathematics BSc (Hons)
- Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)
- Physics with Medical Applications BSc (Hons)
- Physics with Nuclear Science BSc (Hons)
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year zero
Students follow three foundation modules chosen from Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology or Geography. Module choice depends on the programme students wish to follow after the foundation year.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Our research-led teaching ensures you are taught the latest advances in cutting-edge physics research. Lectures introduce and provide the details of the various areas of physics and related subjects. You will be working in tutorials and problem-solving workshops, which are another crucial element in the learning process, where you put your knowledge into practice. They help you to develop a working knowledge and understanding of physics. All of the lecturers also perform world class research and use this to enhance their teaching.
Most work takes place in small groups with a tutor or in a larger class where staff provide help as needed. Practical work is an integral part of the programmes, and ranges from training in basic laboratory skills in the first two years to a research project in the third or fourth year. You will undertake an extended project on a research topic with a member of staff who will mentor you. By the end of the degree you will be well prepared to tackle problems in any area and present yourself and your work both in writing and in person. In the first two years students take maths modules which provide the support all students need to understand the physics topics.
How you're assessed
Assessment is mainly by examination and coursework. Depending on the modules taken you may encounter project work, presentations (individual or group), and specific tests or tasks focused on solidifying learning outcomes.
Students are expected to score an overall mark of 50% to progress to the second year of the course. In year two, students will start the first year of their selected degree programme at the University of Liverpool.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
You will attend lectures, as well as working in tutorials and problem-solving workshops. Practical work is carried out in laboratories, starting with basic skills and progressing to a research project. Your course will be delivered by the Department of Physics.
Explore where you'll study
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
A physical sciences degree is a great starting point for a physics-related career, engineering and computing careers.
Physicists are trained to solve a wide range of problems. That is why graduates have gone on to explore careers in such diverse areas such as:
- telecommunications
- microelectronics
- nuclear power and instrumentation
- cryogenics
- astronomy
- geophysics
- medical physics
- materials science
- computing
- teaching
- business, finance and management.