BSc (Hons) Applied Physics at Nottingham Trent University

Why choose this course?

• You’ll benefit from excellent teaching. We were awarded the title of Guardian University of the Year 2019, the Guardian University Award in the Course and Curriculum Design category for our innovative teaching (the SCALE-UP project), we’ve been awarded a gold rating in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework, we were awarded the title of Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 and University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2017.
• You’ll join satisfied students. We get consistently high satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey. In the most recent survey (2020) the overall satisfaction with our Physics and Astronomy courses was 97%, putting us second in the UK.
• You’ll learn in inspiring environments. We have a custom-built, on-campus observatory recognised by the International Astronomical Union, a radio telescope, a CT scanner, new microscopes, MRI scanners, a scanning tunneling microscope and an ionising radiation laboratory. This ensures that you get the practical experience you need to pursue a successful career.
• You’ll study innovative accredited courses. Our pioneering courses and research are carried out in close collaboration with university and industry partners worldwide, giving our students skills and knowledge which are highly relevant to the needs of industry. Our undergraduate MSci and BSc physics courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) which will help you to achieve Chartered Physicist status sooner.
• You’ll help to deliver research with impact. Our physics staff contribute to research activity in a number of areas including Superhydrophobic Surfaces, Medical Resonance Imaging, Art Conservation and Space Weather. Every year approximately ten of our students undertake paid summer placements in these research groups, giving them hands-on experience of cutting edge research groups. NTU has recently been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for research – the highest national award achievable.
• You’ll have the opportunity to get experience. Our courses offer the opportunity to apply for a placement in the UK or abroad, giving you the real-life experience employers are looking for. Recent year-long placements have taken place at CERN, E.ON, The Netherlands Forensic Institute and Diamond Light Source. There are paid summer placements in our research groups, where you get hands-on research experience.  Our students have also undertaken paid summer placements in local secondary schools and at British Antarctic Survey.
• You’ll become more employable. We’ve got an excellent employability record - 97% of NTU graduates are employed or engaged in further study six months after leaving.

Careers and employability

Your career development

This course prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities both inside and outside physics. It’ll help you to develop numerical, analytical and computational skills which are greatly respected by employers. You’ll also gain essential, transferable skills including report communication, team working and problem solving. Our graduates have gone on to work for companies and in roles such as:

• Aerothermal engineer – Rolls Royce
• Scientist training programme – NHS
• Wind analyst – Prevailing Ltd
• Technical writer – KA Testing Facility
• Medical dosimetrist – NHS
• Software test engineer – Nikon
• Software architect – MHR
• Technical Head of Digital Innovations - Uniper Technologies
• Car configuration engineer – Jaguar Land Rover
• Teacher/lecturer – School, college and university level
• Applications engineer – Romax Technology
• Technical safety manager - QinetiQ
• Graduate physicist – Ultra Electronics Nuclear Control Systems
• Public engagement of science officer – Science and Technology Facilities Council
• Graduate quantity surveyor – Balfour Beatty
• Project manager – Caterpillar Inc.

Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees in areas including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Quantum Computing and Detector Research.

Excellent placement opportunities

While studying for your degree, a placement is a valuable addition to your education. It gives you the chance to gain real life work experience, put your knowledge and skills into practice and impress your employer, which increases your chances of being offered a job at the end of your course.

Recently our students have taken placements at:

• CERN
• Netherlands Forensic Institute
• Science and Technology Facilities Council
• Merck Chemicals
• Airbus
• National Grid.

All BSc and MSci students have the option to apply for a one-year work placement. Once you’ve successfully completed your placement, you’ll receive an award of a Diploma in Professional Practice, a great addition to your CV.

We also offer shorter (usually eight week) paid placements in our research groups and in local secondary schools.g