University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2025/26 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Physics > Physics with Study Abroad in a Modern Language (BSc) > Specification
Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.
Programme code | 2PHYS029U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Andrew McKinley
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Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Physics |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Physics, astronomy and astrophysics (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
All our degree programmes share the University’s aim of “offering you the best possible learning experience in a research environment” – enabling you to realise your full potential in your chosen career. An important goal in this is to maximise your choice within your programme while maintaining academic consistency. Through high quality teaching and learning activities, our programmes provide academic and practical training in Physics to:
In addition to these outcomes, you will experience the learning environment of a European country and gain experience for employment in an international setting.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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You will achieve these outcomes through the teaching and learning activities developed in the school. These take the form of:
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Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
You will be assessed on these learning outcomes in a summative manner through a combination of unseen written examinations, coursework, laboratory reports, project reports or dissertations, computational investigations, oral presentations and interviews. All assessments will be accompanied by feedback which, when used appropriately, will help you improve for the future. You will also have the opportunity of receiving formative feedback on your work; in most cases a formative assessment in a similar form will precede a summative assessment to allow you to understand the assessment type and receive formative feedback. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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You will develop your intellectual skills through the learning and teaching methods outlined in the section above. Through the use of formative assessments (designed to generate feedback), and the appropriate reflection on the feedback received, you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of Physics through your tutorials, laboratory and computational work, project work and presentation activities. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
The assessment of skills is embedded in all aspects of assessment which are outlined above. In particular, those associated at all levels with laboratory and project work have a component reflecting presentation and performance of the skills detailed here |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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You will develop your transferable skills throughout your course of study using the learning and teaching methods outlined above. Through your reflections on feedback received, you will be able to demonstrate your achievement through the assessments presented. You will learn to work as part of a group through laboratory and project work, and general communication skills are used as part of project/dissertation assessment, involving as it does a written report and a viva. ICT skills are acquired throughout the programmes either in specific courses or as part of laboratory and project work, which includes literature surveys and distillation of information from diverse sources. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
The methods of assessment outlined above all contain components which assess these skills. In particular, those associated at all levels with laboratory and project work have a component reflecting presentation and performance of the skills detailed here. |
Embedded within the curriculum |
Skills development is embedded into the curriculum as part of the personal tutorial system. Through personal tutorials, you will explore and discuss issues around:
These tutorials are aligned with activities in the curriculum to allow you to put these into practice and receive feedback on your development. At the end of this batchelors course you will undertake a research project which will develop your skills in solving problems across a range of settings |
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Co-curricular opportunities |
Through the degree there is space for you to engage with units outwith those provided by the School of Physics. Notable inclusions are:
Choice may be restricted for students on joint-honours programmes or “Physics with…”/”Physics and…” programmes. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
You will have a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of a subject, and will have learned how to take different approaches to solving problems. You will be able to communicate accurately, and will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the exercise of increasing personal responsibility. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
You will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study, and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. Through this, you will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Your studies may well have had a vocational orientation, enabling you to perform effectively in your chosen field. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
You will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. You will have developed an understanding of a complex body of knowledge, some of it at the current boundaries of an academic discipline. Through this, as a graduate, you will have developed analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied in many types of employment. You will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively. You should have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable circumstances. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Undergraduate Students
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive.
Postgraduate Students
Taught postgraduate students are generally studying for one academic year. This is a longer year than for undergraduates, normally culminating in a research project. In a one-year full-time programme your workload will be distributed as evenly as possible, but this will depend on the precise arrangements for your programme. You will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive.
All students
At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20-credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials, problem-solving classes and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
UG Professional Programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curricula activities. This is usually not available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through their curriculum there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. There may also be an occasional need to work or travel to clinical placements at the weekend. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme information. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent, meaning that students will need to engage in revision activities and self-directed learning (including when on clinical placements).
Health Sciences Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment in the Faculty of Health Sciences. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/health-sciences/chse/documents/FHS%20Assessment%20and%20Feedback%20statement%202021.pdf
All programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Placements are arranged by the School of Physics. Those in industry are jointly supervised by an academic in the School and one at the place of work.
Placements abroad are in equivalent higher educational institutions to Bristol. Assessment of the year abroad takes place in Bristol based on results and other information from the host institution, as well as a viva on return. Most of the placements are through the Erasmus/Socrates scheme.
School of Physics web site http://www.bristol.ac.uk/physics/
Undergraduate contact email phys-ug@bristol.ac.uk.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Core Physics I: Classical, Quantum and Thermal Physics | PHYS10012 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Practical Physics I: Laboratory skills, Computing and Team Discovery | PHYS10013 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Introductory Mathematics for Physics | PHYS10009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
A relevant 20 credit point language unit | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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From Classical to Modern Physics | PHYS20040 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Practical Physics II: Investigative skills | PHYS20038 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Mathematical Physics 202 | PHYS23020 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Computational Physics and Data Science | PHYS20035 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
A relevant 20 credit point language unit | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Year Abroad | PHYS39001 | 120 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Solid State Physics 3021 | PHYS30021 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Research Project in Physics | PHYS30034 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Themes of Modern Physics A | PHYS30042 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Select 40 credit points of Level H/6 physics options from the list below subject to timetable and availability: | ||||
Themes of Modern Physics B | PHYS30040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Themes of Modern Physics C | PHYS30041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Quantum Information Theory | MATH30031 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Physics with Study Abroad in a Modern Language (BSc) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 100 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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