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Physics with Foundation Year BSc Honours

  • UCAS code: F304
  • Full time
  • 4 years

Our Physics with Foundation Year BSc will prepare you for one of our Physics BSc or MPhys degrees, opening doors to diverse career paths across a range of industries.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2026


Next start date:

  • September 2026

Tuition fees (Year 1)

  • Home: Not set
  • International: £Not set

Scholarships available

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 34 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This foundation year will help you develop the knowledge you need to progress to one of our Physics BSc degrees.

No physics or mathematics A-Level needed. This foundation year is designed for students without A-Level (or equivalent) qualifications in mathematics or physics. It will provide you with the essential knowledge needed to progress to a Physics BSc or MPhys degree.

The full-time programme covers core topics in physics and mathematics, including:

  • mechanics
  • statistics
  • materials science
  • electrical circuit analysis

You'll also explore fundamental physics concepts such as:

  • forces
  • energy
  • atomic structure
  • radioactivity
  • chemistry
  • data analysis
  • computational techniques

Progression

On completion of the foundation year, you're guaranteed a place in Stage 1 of these degrees:

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions

You'll cover core topics including foundation mathematics, foundation physics and an individual project.

Modules

Compulsory modules

 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught via a range of approaches, including:

  • lectures and seminars
  • small group tutorials
  • problem classes
  • laboratory sessions
  • practical computing sessions

You'll also engage in independent study. You'll receive support and guidance on selecting and using relevant reading materials effectively.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Examinations – practical or online

  • Projects

  • Reports

Skills and experience

Practical experience

This foundation year will prepare you for Stage 1 of our Physics BSc and MPhys degrees. It'll equip you with skills that are in demand by employers across the globe.

Using our high-spec facilities, and working alongside our expert staff, you'll:

  • gain experimental experience in our state-of-the-art laboratories
  • work on lab and project-based modules, based on real-world challenges
  • develop analytical and computational skills, using industry-relevant software
  • enhance your written and oral communication skills
  • learn from experts in the field at a leading Russell Group university

Business skills 

Physics graduates are highly valued for their transferable skills. You'll graduate with strong abilities, including:

  • problem-solving
  • a logical, analytical mindset
  • big data analysis
  • communication
  • teamwork

You'll also learn how to present data in numerical, graphical and tabular form. You'll select and process data to provide relevant information for technical problems.

Research skills

You'll benefit from our interdisciplinary approach and the diverse research strengths of our expert academic staff. We have research expertise in:

  • novel electronic materials
  • semiconductor devices
  • nanoscale properties of materials
  • computational physics
  • quantum fluids
  • quantum matter
  • observational astrophysics
  • astrophysical fluids
  • cosmology
  • quantum gravity

Explore the research we're doing in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics

Student stories

Adam, a 2022 graduate, shares the highlights of his course, why he chose Newcastle, and advice for new students. 

Read about Adam's experience studying Physics BSc

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a physics student at Newcastle University, you'll be based at our city-centre campus in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics' Herschel Building.

The School has high-specification laboratory facilities equipped with leading experimental and computational physics capabilities, such as:

  • cryogenics labs
  • semiconductor labs
  • High-Performance Computing
  • data from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

The Herschel Building also has dedicated study and social spaces, and a computing area.

Support

We take your health and wellbeing seriously and are committed to supporting you throughout your studies so you can fulfil your potential at university. This support includes:

  • a personal tutor who is an academic member of staff who can help you with academic and personal issues throughout your degree
  • a peer mentor scheme which pairs you with a current student from your course to help you navigate your first year at university
  • a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works
  • Student Wellbeing Advisors who can offer comprehensive listening and support and signpost you to other University support services or external support agencies

Transition Officer

A dedicated staff member is here to support you in transitioning from school to university study.

The Transition Officer works with Stage 1 undergraduates to provide:

  • Stage 1 pastoral and academic support
  • attendance and academic performance monitoring
  • Stage 1 induction
  • weekly drop-ins

You'll also benefit from our:

  • induction programme, including social events, to help you settle in quickly
  • activities and events run by our student-run society, PhysSoc
  • peer supported academic drop-in sessions to help with assignments

Your future

We have research links with the following companies and external organisations:

  • Littelfuse
  • the De Beers Group
  • DEFRA
  • STFC
  • NASA
  • LOFAR
  • intel
  • CPI

Graduating with a degree in physics

Possible career paths for physics graduates include:

  • engineering
  • medicine
  • finance
  • nanotechnology
  • oil, gas and renewable energy
  • telecommunications

You'll gain transferable skills that are highly valued by employers such as problem-solving, analytical, mathematical, communication, presentation, teamwork and computing skills.

Further study, including postgraduate courses for secondary school teaching and PhD courses, are further options available to physics graduates.

This Foundation Year provides a pathway into our Physics BSc and MPhys courses. Our degrees lead to a range of career opportunities across diverse industries.

Previous graduates from our Physics courses have gone onto roles within 15 months of graduating, including:

  • Technical Graduate at DXC Technology
  • Electric Vehicle Finance Proposition Manager at HSBC
  • Secondary Science Teacher at Laidlaw Schools Trust
  • Trainee Clinical Scientist at NHS
  • Graduate Data Engineer at Serios Group
  • Graduate Physicist at Tracerco Business Consultant at EY
  • Commercial Financing Executive at Lindt

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications.

Our entry requirements and offer information will be finalised in September 2025, when UCAS opens for 2026 entry. Please check the website for any updates at the beginning of September.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

These courses are specifically designed for international students who want to study in the UK and progress onto one of our undergraduate degrees. Our International Study Centre, has a range of study options including:

  • International Foundation
  • International Year One
  • English Language courses

Find out more about International Pathway courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for academic year 2026-2027

The 2026 entry home fees have not yet been confirmed.

Qualification: BSc Honours

Home students

full time 4 years

Tuition fees (Year 1)

Not set

International students

full time 4 years

Tuition fees (Year 1)

Not set

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

Get in touch

By phone

Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.

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