How to Apply to Physics at the University of Bath: Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Theoretical Physics and Mathematics and Physics as a 3-Year BSc or 4-Year MPhys/MSci With Optional Placement, Research Placement or Study Abroad, and Entry Requirements for Home, International (Including Chinese) and Year 2 Transfer Applicants

Physics at the University of Bath is taught by the Department of Physics on the Claverton Down campus. This guide sets out what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Bath’s official information, for UK applicants, international applicants (including students at high schools in China) and students who want to join Year 2.

1. The courses and how you are admitted

• Four physics courses, each as a BSc or an MPhys/MSci: Physics, the broadest degree, from fundamental theory to cutting-edge applications; Mathematics and Physics, for students who excel at pure mathematics and want to apply it to physics; Physics with Astrophysics, applying physics to phenomena from star formation and black hole growth to the expansion of the Universe; and Physics with Theoretical Physics, with less emphasis on experimental laboratories and more on theoretical, mathematical and computational physics.
• Degree types and UCAS codes: Physics BSc three years (N110) and MPhys four years (N112), with BSc versions with professional placement or study abroad (four years), an MPhys with research placement (four years) and an MPhys with professional placement, research placement or study abroad (five years); Physics with Astrophysics BSc three years (N120); Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc three years (N130); Mathematics and Physics BSc three years (N140) and MSci four years, with a four-year BSc and five-year MSci including placement or study abroad. Check the course page for codes not listed here.
• You apply directly to a course through UCAS. Bath says the first two years cover core topics, so after enrolling you can change between some of the physics courses, change your placement or study abroad plan and even whether you are on a bachelor’s or master’s programme. Physics with Theoretical Physics shares its Year 1 units with Physics and Physics with Astrophysics, and its later core adds computational physics, further mathematics and foundational theoretical physics. The grades and places needed to change course are not on the course pages (not published; ask the department).
• Year 1 (Physics BSc): core units include Foundations of physics 1 and 2, Mathematics for physics 1 and 2 and Physics skills 1 and 2; in the final year you carry out a substantial project and choose options in fundamental and applied physics. Mathematics and Physics is taught across the physics and mathematics departments; its first two years cover core topics in both, for example Algebra, Calculus, Foundations of physics, Differential equations and vector calculus and Partial differential equations, and the final year has a research project with options that let you tailor the balance between the two subjects. Bath says credits are shown in ECTS and you take 120 credits (60 ECTS) each year.
• Teaching and assessment: typically 18 to 22 timetabled hours a week in the first year plus about 13 to 22 hours of independent learning; on Physics BSc about 70 to 75% of the course is assessed by examination and 25 to 30% by coursework including practical work, with the balance varying through the degree.
• Accreditation: the Physics BSc page says the course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) as partially meeting the educational requirements for a Chartered Physicist, and the Physics MPhys page says fully meeting them. The Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Theoretical Physics and Mathematics and Physics BSc pages also say partially (check the MSci page for Mathematics and Physics).
• Research, placement and study abroad: every physics course has the option of a professional placement or study abroad, with support for your application and links to companies and overseas universities. Some courses (the MPhys degrees) also include a six-month research placement in the final year at a leading national or international research institution. The course pages do not state whether placements are guaranteed; check the website.

2. Entry requirements: A-levels, IB and other UK qualifications

The following are the conditions on the 2027 course pages; all courses ask for GCSE English Language or Literature at 4/C (or an English test), and Bath says you need a strong performance in both Mathematics and Physics.

Course	Typical A-level offer	Contextual offer (UK fee status only)
Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Theoretical Physics (BSc and MPhys)	A*AA including Mathematics and Physics, with A* in Mathematics or Physics (or Further Mathematics if applicable)	AAB including A in Mathematics and A in Physics
Mathematics and Physics (BSc and MSci)	A*AA including A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics and A in Physics	A*AB including A*B in Mathematics and Further Mathematics and A in Physics

• Further Mathematics: the physics courses do not require it; if you do take it you must still get A in both Mathematics and Physics. Mathematics and Physics requires A-level Further Mathematics; Bath suggests Physics with Theoretical Physics if you have not studied it.
• Alternative offers (more than three A-levels, not eligible for a contextual offer): AAA or A*AB for the physics courses (including A in Mathematics and A in Physics) plus an A in an EPQ/IEPQ, an A in AS Further Mathematics (if not taking the A-level), a B in a fourth A-level (where the four include Further Mathematics) or another recognised project qualification; for Mathematics and Physics A*AB (including A*B in Mathematics and Further Mathematics and A in Physics) plus similar conditions. You receive each offer you qualify for and need to meet only one.
• Contextual offers: Bath’s contextual admissions page says that for most courses the contextual offer is two grades lower than the typical offer, and one grade lower for Mathematics and Physics (joint degree) for 2026 and 2027 entry.
• IB Diploma: for the physics courses, 36 points with 7, 6, 6 at Higher Level including Physics and either HL Mathematics; contextual 36 points with HL 6, 6, 5 including 6 in Physics and 6 in HL Mathematics. In exceptional cases with SL Physics or SL Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches, the typical offer is 36 points with HL 6, 6, 6 or 7, 6, 5 (including 6 in Physics or HL Mathematics) plus 7 in the SL subject; SL Mathematics: Applications & Interpretations is not accepted. Mathematics and Physics: 36 points with HL 7, 6, 6 including 6 in Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches and 6 in Physics; contextual 6, 6, 6 or 7, 6, 5.
• Scottish qualifications: AA in two Advanced Highers including Mathematics and Physics; you would typically have completed five Highers, with AAAAA preferred.
• Other UK qualifications: for the physics courses Bath can consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma at D*DD in Applied Science with as many Physical Science units as possible plus A in A-level Mathematics studied alongside (contact Bath before applying to check your units; suitable applicants are interviewed); T Levels are not accepted; the Access to HE Diploma in Science or Science and Engineering needs at least 39 credits at Distinction including 12 in Mathematics and 12 in Physics, and suitable applicants are interviewed. For Mathematics and Physics, BTEC, CTEC and AAQ qualifications and the Access to HE Diploma are not suitable, and other combinations are usually unsuitable. Bath does not differentiate A-level requirements between England, Wales and Northern Ireland; rules for the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales differ by offer (see the course page).
• US AP: the Physics and Physics with Astrophysics pages ask for 5 in AP Calculus BC and 5 in both AP Physics 1 and Physics 2, assessed individually; the Mathematics and Physics page says the requirement is under review. Check the pages for Physics with Theoretical Physics and the MPhys.
• Maths tests: the physics course pages do not require a separate maths test. The Mathematics and Physics page says that for applicants with A-level Mathematics and Further Mathematics, STEP, MAT and TMUA are not considered.
• Interviews: the Physics BSc page says applicants with qualifications such as Access to HE or the BTEC Extended Diploma are invited to interview, and others only very exceptionally; the Mathematics and Physics page says applications are usually assessed on the UCAS form.

3. International applicants

• How to apply: all undergraduate applications go through UCAS with institution code B16; the process is the same for international students. For the UCAS application fee and the exact reference and personal statement formats, check the UCAS website. Bath’s page says you need the course’s UCAS code and the institution code, and that the academic reference should come from your most recent place of education; the personal statement is submitted through UCAS.
• After you apply: you receive an Application Tracker account to follow your application and upload documents Bath asks for; Bath asks you to check it regularly because missing documents slow down processing.
• Interviews: Bath says it usually assesses the UCAS application and only invites applicants with qualifications that are harder to assess on paper (such as Access to HE diplomas) or less typical educational histories; see the note under each course’s entry requirements.
• English preparation: if you need to improve your English, a pre-sessional English course runs in the summer before the first semester (Academic Skills Centre); Bath’s representatives in your country can help with applications.
• Student visa and proof of funds: Bath’s application page says you need proof of English to meet Home Office standards for a Student visa and links to the UK government’s Student visa page. The amount of funds to show and credential evaluation are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the UK government Student visa pages and Bath’s international student pages.
• English (Category C): if you do not meet the GCSE English 4/C requirement you need an English test. IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in every component; TOEFL iBT taken after 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall and at least 4.0 in each component (earlier tests: 90 overall and 21 in each); PTE Academic 62 with no element below 59 (PTE Academic Online is not accepted); Duolingo taken after 1 July 2024: 120 overall with Speaking, Writing and Reading 110 and Listening 105; LanguageCert Academic 70 with at least 65 in each component. See Bath’s Category C page for the full list.
• Grades and credentials: course pages have a selector for the country or region of your qualification; students taking A-levels or the IB Diploma, in the UK or abroad, follow the requirements above.
• International Foundation Year: the course pages say that if you have not studied qualifications Bath typically accepts or do not expect to meet the requirements, you can consider the International Foundation Year at Bath’s International Study Centre on campus, with guaranteed progression to your chosen degree if you reach the required grades. Which foundation pathway leads to which physics course and the grades needed are not on the course pages; check the International Study Centre pages.
• Contextual offers: Bath says these are only for students eligible for UK fees who meet one of its socio-economic criteria (such as a free-school-meals record, a high-disadvantage postcode with state-school study, care experience or refugee status), and only for A-level or IB Diploma applicants; they are automatic and replace the typical and alternative offers. International applicants with Overseas fee status (including applicants from China) therefore look at the typical and alternative offers. Bath adds that for most courses the contextual offer is two grades lower than the typical offer, and one grade lower for a few joint courses.

4. Applicants from China

• Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Theoretical Physics (including MPhys): the Chinese qualifications section lists the Gaokao at 80% overall; the wording is “80% overall including 85%, 80% in Mathematics for Science and Physics”, which in order reads as 85% in Mathematics for Science and 80% in Physics (check the course page); and the AST at 230, 210, 210 in three subjects including 230 in Mathematics and 210 in Physics. Bath lists the Gaokao and AST separately and does not say whether both are needed, so ask admissions@bath.ac.uk before applying.
• Mathematics and Physics: for both the Gaokao and the AST the page says Bath is unable to accept students on the basis of this qualification alone; you need some recognised additional study in Mathematics, and the page suggests Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science or the other physics degrees. What counts as additional study is not specified.
• Students taking A-levels or the IB in China: apply with the requirements in section 2.
• Huikao transcripts, graduation certificates and credential agencies: the course pages only list Gaokao and AST scores; how the Huikao or graduation certificate is used and whether a credential evaluation is needed is not given on the pages used for this guide; check the website or contact admissions.
• Interviews: no China-specific interview arrangement is described; the Physics BSc page says applicants with qualifications such as Access to HE or the BTEC Extended Diploma are invited to interview.

5. Joining Year 2 (direct entry)

• The course pages do not describe a route into Year 2; not published. Contact admissions@bath.ac.uk if you already have university study. Bath’s application page says applicants who already hold a degree-level qualification may apply, but this can affect funding and, for international students, visas.

6. Fees and scholarships

• 2027/28 fees: Home £10,050, subject to parliamentary approval. Overseas £32,950 (Band 3: all science, engineering, health and psychology courses); Bath advises budgeting for increases of up to 8% each year. The course pages say fee information is not yet available; the figures here come from Bath’s 2027 fee page.
• Placement or study abroad year: Home fee to be confirmed by the UK government. For Overseas students, the Band 3 placement-year table lists £9,155 for all Faculty of Engineering & Design courses and for other Faculty of Science courses (with exceptions for some master’s courses). Which line applies to the physics courses and the exact charge should be checked on the fee page and the course pages.
• UK students may be able to take a tuition fee loan (course pages); details of UK bursaries and scholarships are on Bath’s undergraduate funding page and amounts were not read for this guide.
• Bath International Excellence Scholarship: up to 300 awards for September 2027 entry, £8,000 a year for up to three years (£24,000), as a tuition discount. You must be a new first-year applicant assessed as an Overseas fee payer and hold an offer for any undergraduate degree starting in September 2027; if you win, you must make Bath your firm choice in UCAS. You apply through the form in the Application Tracker after receiving an offer (Bath says applications open in late 2026); Round 1 closes on 14 February 2027 and Round 2 on 31 March 2027. Applications are not first come, first served and are considered once only; there are three questions of up to 1,000 characters each. No discount applies in a placement or study abroad year, and the scholarship stops if you become eligible for Home fees. Bath also says international students may find funding from external organisations that support students from specific countries (see its international funding page).
• Extra costs: at least £100 for photocopying, printing and binding, plus textbooks; some courses involve trips where you may pay some travel, accommodation and food costs; during a placement you cover your own travel, accommodation and living costs.

7. UCAS application and timeline

• Institution code B16; course codes are in section 1.
• Deadline: the course pages for Physics BSc, Physics with Astrophysics, Physics with Theoretical Physics, Physics MPhys and Mathematics and Physics give 13 January 2027 as both the Home and Overseas application deadline. Bath’s application page warns that after the deadline it cannot guarantee places; check the UCAS website for UCAS’s own dates.
• When you hear: the physics course pages do not say when offers are made; not published, so check the website.
• Personal statement: Bath says it should show enthusiasm for physics, for example relevant reading, voluntary or work experience, areas of interest from your current studies or other activities.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Physics courses: A*AA including Mathematics and Physics with A* in one of them; Mathematics and Physics: A*AA including A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics and A in Physics; check whether you qualify for an automatic contextual offer
• GCSE English at 4/C
• Submit to UCAS by 13 January 2027, institution code B16

International applicants (including China):

• International school students: A-levels or the IB (36 points, HL including Physics and Mathematics); Gaokao students: 80% overall (85% in Mathematics for Science) for the physics courses, and confirm how the AST is used; the Gaokao alone is not accepted for Mathematics and Physics
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each component), or GCSE English at 4/C
• Apply for the Bath International Excellence Scholarship after receiving an offer (14 February or 31 March 2027)

Students who want to join Year 2:

• No route is published; contact admissions before applying

Sources: University of Bath, Physics courses; Physics BSc; Physics with Astrophysics BSc; Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc; Mathematics and Physics BSc; Physics MPhys; 2027 undergraduate tuition fees; International Excellence Scholarship; Applying for an undergraduate course; Contextual admissions; UCAS 2027 entry dates and deadlines. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check Bath and UCAS for the latest details, and each course page for its own requirements.