Oxford requirements

Physics - Entrance requirements

A-levels: A*AA With an A*, A in Physics and Mathematics (i.e. an A* in either Physics or Mathematics) and a further A. Advanced Highers: AA/AAB IB: 3840 including core points or any other equivalent (see details of international qualifications) Candidates are expected to have Physics and Mathematics to A-level, Advanced Higher, or Higher Level in the IB or another equivalent. The inclusion of a Maths Mechanics module would also be highly recommended. Further Mathematics can be helpful to candidates in completing this course, although not required for admission. All candidates must also take the Physics Aptitude Test as as part of their application. Please see How to apply for further details.

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Written work You do not need to submit any written work when you apply for this course.

Written test

All applicants must take the Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) in their own school or college or an approved test centre on 2 November 2011. Please note that the registration process for the PAT has changed for 2012/13 entry. See further details about the Physics Aptitude Test.

What are tutors looking for? During the interview, tutors are looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated students with a physicists ability to apply basic principles to unfamiliar situations. Although the course requires a good level of mathematical competence, the key requirement here is the ability to formulate a problem in mathematical terms and then extract the physical consequences from the solution.

Selection criteria Candidates may wish to refer to the selection criteria for Physics.

Study here
o Undergraduates 3-year BA Physics 4-year MPhys 4 year MPhysPhil Physics Course FAQ International students Application Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) Open Days Postgraduates News

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Undergraduates
Our Courses
We offer two physics degrees: the three-year BA and the four-year MPhys, with an average combined intake of 180 each year. In addition, a further degree course is offered jointly with the Philosophy department and has an average annual entry of 16. Selection is on the basis of academic potential and motivation. For details of our entrance procedure, see our How to Apply page.

Which course to choose?

Both physics courses investigate the basic principles of modern physics with a strong emphasis on its mathematical foundation. They also include a significant amount of experimental work and the possibility of studying non-physics subjects. There is also a common emphasis on individual development, discussion and the ability to work with others in the laboratory. The 3-year BA The 4-year MPhys The 4-year MPhysPhil

Please note: Harris Manchester College and Pembroke College do not currently admit students to read Physics.

How the course is taught

Physics undergraduates are also part of their college community, so that it is natural for them to mix socially with students of other disciplines. The most important component of their teaching is the college-based tutorial, an hour of discussion with a tutor around pre-set work. Typically, students attend tutorials in pairs twice a week. The college physics tutors are also the professors, readers and lecturers in the department. In their college role, they come to know their own undergraduates very well, but they also give lectures in the department which are open to all students regardless of college.

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This combination of college, departmental and personal input is a unique feature of the Oxford Physics course. The teaching philosophy is that a student will spend most of his or her time on tutorial work, consulting different books, attending lectures, and coming to a view of the subject which works for him or her. This view will be developed and honed in tutorial discussion. The aim is that the experience should be a preparation for tackling new problems, rather than an exercise in memorizing received knowledge. The Physics Department is a member of the Mathematical Physical and Life Sciences Division of the University of Oxford.

After Oxford
As a physics graduate you will be distinguished as a highly numerate and scientifically competent member of society in a world where numeracy and scientific skills are increasingly important. The value of these skills is evidenced by the broad spectrum of careers chosen by physics graduates, not only in research but also in banking and finance, management consultancy, teaching, computing, the civil service, geophysical surveying and many others. We hope that you will decide to read Physics at Oxford primarily because you want to undertake the enormous intellectual challenge of understanding the physical universe. New discoveries and developments in research continually influence the content of our courses and are reflected in the experiments in our practical laboratories and also in project work.