Physics graduate destinations

Physics graduates move into a variety of fields where their combination of analytical, research, team working, problem solving, numerical, IT knowledge and communication skills are highly valued.

Data obtained from

  • Single and joint honours Physics courses (BSc and MSci), including those with industrial experience or study abroad
  • Graduates from the UK 

Responses were received from 96 UK graduates from 2019/20; this is a response rate of 65.8%

Destinations

Most important activityPercentage of graduates
Paid work for an employer 54.2%
Self-employment/freelancing 0%
Running my own business 2.1%
Developing a creative, artistic or professional portfolio 4%
Voluntary/unpaid work for an employer 1%
Engaged in a course of study, training or research 26%
Taking time out to travel 2.1%
Caring for someone 0%
Retired 0%
Unemployed and looking for work 6.3%
Doing something else 8.3%

Sector information

Examples of regular recruitment sectors include actuarial work, operational research, government statistical and security services, engineering, management consultancy, IT, investment banking, financial modelling, accountancy and teaching.

Around 70% of all graduate vacancies don't ask for specific degree subjects and Physics graduates will also therefore find openings in fields unrelated to their degree. Bristol Physics graduates have entered a whole spectrum of careers from filmmaking and journalism to marketing and the civil service.

Employment sectorNumber of graduates
Information technology consultancy activities 7
Engineering activities and related technical consultancy 3
Accounting, bookkeeping and auditing activities; tax consultancy 4
Other sectors (23 sectors) 30

Employers and occupations

Examples of employers

  • Accenture plc
  • BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
  • Citigroup
  • Octopus Energy
  • Siemens

Examples of occupations

  • Data Analyst
  • Software Engineer
  • Technical Consultant
  • Business Consultant
  • Marketing Analyst

Further study

Qualification typePercentage of graduates

Higher degree, mainly by research (e.g. PhD, DPhil, MPhil, MRes)

46.4%

Higher degree, mainly by taught course (e.g. MA, MSc, MBA)

35.7%

Postgraduate diploma or certificate (including PGCE/PGDE)

7.1%

Professional qualification

7.1%

Undergraduate degree (including integrated master’s degrees) (e.g. BA, BSc, MBChB, MEng)

0%
Other undergraduate diploma or certificate not specified above 0%
Other qualification 3.6%
Not aiming for a formal qualification 0%

While my current position isn't directly linked to my degree, I gained many transferable skills and would not have been able to get the job without it. The reputation of Bristol is also a plus as I think many employers do consider where you studied after you have met the mandatory grade they expect.

Kit, Cost Transformation Analyst, BT plc (BSc Physics, 2011)

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