2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
BSc Mathematics and Physics (GFD3)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: A*AA
A-level contextual offer: AAB
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
3 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£29,300 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Join a University ranked in the UK top five for both Physics and Mathematics research (THE analysis of REF 2021) with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning.
If you love the challenge of thinking through a maths question and the satisfaction of having solved a difficult problem, but also appreciate the applications of mathematics in areas of physics and want access to the exciting and specialised subjects offered by the School of Physics, then this joint honours course can offer you both.
Your mathematics study will focus on the areas of applied mathematics that are most linked to physics, such as the mathematical modelling of physical problems, quantum mechanics and random matrix theory. You will also cover a range of topics in physics, such as special relativity, electromagnetism and superconductors.
Think Big bursaries of £3,000 are available to support first-year international undergraduate students in this subject area.
This course is accredited by the following organisations
The Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.
Course structure
In the first and second years of this course, the units are fixed to provide a balanced exploration of mathematics and physics and the connection between them.
In your third year, you will have the freedom to select from a wide variety of relevant units to focus your studies on what interests you most. You can also choose from a physics project or dissertation in one of our cutting-edge research areas, a group project with an industrial partner, or an educational project with a local school.
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
A*AA including A* in Mathematics and A in Physics
A-level contextual offer
AAB including AA in Mathematics and Physics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
D*DD in Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma, with Distinctions in four specified Physics units, and A in Mathematics at A-level (or equivalent). Applicants may be invited to take the University of Bristol mathematics test in place of A-level Mathematics.
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
38 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 7 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and 6 at Higher Level in Physics
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Physics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
88% overall, with 9.0 in Mathematics and 8.5 in Physics
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AA in Mathematics and Physics, and Standard Higher: AAAAA
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science, or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction in Mathematics (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry); and at least 12 credits at Distinction in Physics. plus either A in A-level Mathematics, or achieving the required level in the University of Bristol mathematics test.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specific subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile E qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- We only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. There are no other selection criteria or processes.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: