Why choose Bristol?
Researchers at Bristol lead cutting-edge work in areas including astrophysics, particle physics, superconductors and quantum computing. As a Bristol student, you’ll be taught by experts across our research themes and take part in hands-on laboratory and project work. You’ll also join a welcoming community in our Grade II–listed Physics building, home to the UK’s leading Physics student society.
Teaching & Research
Our students benefit from a wide range of options to choose from, enabling them to specialise in the areas of Physics they find most fascinating and beneficial to your career/further study goals. A Bristol Physics student will also have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, which allow them to carry out ground-breaking research with ease, as well as access to the wider University's study facilities.
We are currently ranked 5th in the country for our research (REF 2021, research intensity). Our students are taught by the world's leading experts in their fields, such as Professor Sandu Popescu, a pioneer in the study of quantum teleportation; Dr. Hannah Wakeford, who is at the frontier of studying the atmospheres of extra-solar planets through the use of the JWST; and Dr. Natasha Maddox, who is carrying out pioneering work with the South African Large Telescope.
If you study with us, you will have the opportunity to perform your own research in one of our many specialist areas in your final year research project, which addresses real research questions and the most successful have led to scientific publications co-authored by our students.
Community
The School's student society, Chaos, is one of the biggest at the University and organises varied social events and runs the dedicated student cafe in our HH Wills Physics Laboratory building. Chaos operates a ‘parenting’ scheme matching first-years with more experienced students, so you’ll join an in-built community from day one. Chaos have won numerous awards for their activities, including the best student society in the UK at the national student awards 2019 and the NSVA Committee Excellence Award in 2020.
You can join our School community on Instagram as well as LinkedIn, you can also join the Chaos community through their Instagram and website.
Employability
Our curriculum is designed with input from some of our leading employers and industry partners to ensure you have the skills, knowledge and experience needed to be a highly successful graduate. You will develop scientific and technical skills including coding and data analysis, as well as transferable skills such as problem solving, presenting, communicating, numeracy, creativity and resilience.
You will have the opportunity to work directly with employers through a year-long placement if you choose our Industrial Experience programme, or through an Industrial Group Project for BSc Physics students. You might choose to work with a local school in our Physics Education unit, or specialise in scientific computing on one of our Physics with Scientific Computing degrees. Whatever your career goals, our curriculum will have options to suit.