How to Apply to Physics at the University of Surrey: Direct Entry by UCAS Code to BSc and MPhys, Typical Offer ABB at A-level (AAA–AAB for MPhys) With Maths and Physics Required, Plus Astronomy, Nuclear Astrophysics and Quantum Computing Variants and a Professional Training Year, IOP-Accredited, With Requirements for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Physics at the University of Surrey is taught on the Stag Hill campus in Guildford by the School of Mathematics and Physics. Surrey says the School has a strategic partnership with the National Physical Laboratory and facilities that include a student observatory and high-performance computing. This article follows Surrey’s course, application, fee, China and scholarship pages for September 2027 entry, for UK applicants, international applicants, applicants studying in China and students hoping to enter the second year.

1. Physics degrees and variants

• Physics BSc (Hons): UCAS code F300 (3 years); with placement F301 (4 years); with foundation year F304 (4 years); with foundation year and placement F305 (5 years). MPhys (integrated masters): F303, 4 years, which Surrey says includes an integrated research year in an academic or industrial setting before you return for the masters-level modules.
• Physics with Astronomy: BSc F3FN, with placement F3FL, with foundation year F306, foundation year and placement F307, MPhys FHF5.
• Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics: BSc F3F5, with placement F3F6, with foundation year F308, foundation year and placement F309, MPhys F3FM.
• Physics with Quantum Computing: BSc 328C, with placement 3TT4, with foundation year F310, foundation year and placement F311, MPhys 01XY.
• Accreditation: all four course pages say the BSc is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) as partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist, and the MPhys as fully meeting it.
• Switching after entry: Surrey says that in the first year you can switch between most of the specialist physics courses (the Quantum Computing page says “any”); the conditions are not given on the pages used for this guide, so ask Admissions.
• Structure: Surrey says the core physics curriculum is covered in the first two years. Year 1 has Fundamentals of Physics, Essential Mathematics, Scientific Investigation Skills and Oscillations and Waves in semester 1, then The Universe, Mathematical and Computational Physics, Properties of Matter and Atoms and Quanta in semester 2; laboratory sessions teach experimental design, data analysis and report writing. You then choose option modules at the end of year 2 and in year 3 (from astronomy and nuclear astrophysics to quantum light and matter), with more practical or more theoretical choices, and year 3 includes a Final Year Project. The radiation laboratories have been refurbished and enlarged and are used for the Nuclear and Particle Physics module.
• Professional Training year: optional for the BSc; partner organisations named by Surrey include Airbus Defence and Space, BAE Systems, IBM UK, Merck, the National Physical Laboratory, Tesla Engineering and TOPTICA Photonics, and your personal tutor and the Professional Training tutor discuss applications with you in year 2. Placement-year fees are in section 8.

2. Prerequisites and entry requirements for 2027

• A-levels: BSc ABB with Mathematics and Physics required; MPhys AAA–AAB with Mathematics at A and Physics; with foundation year CCC with Mathematics plus one of Chemistry, Computer Science, Electronics, Further Maths or Physics. GCSE English Language grade 4 (C). The Astronomy, Nuclear Astrophysics and Quantum Computing pages list the same A-level requirements.
• IB: BSc 33 (Physics HL5/SL6 plus Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL5/SL6 or Applications and Interpretations HL5); MPhys 35–34 (Physics HL5/SL6 plus Mathematics AA HL6/SL7 or AI HL6); foundation year 29 (Mathematics AA HL4/SL6 or AI HL4, plus one of Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics HL4/SL6). English: IB English A HL4/SL4 or English B HL5/SL6.
• Other qualifications (from the Physics BSc/MPhys page): European Baccalaureate 78% (Mathematics 7.5, Physics 7.5) for the BSc and 85%–82% (Mathematics 8.5, Physics 7.5) for MPhys; Scottish Highers AABBB (Maths and Physics) for the BSc, AAAAB–AAABB (Maths A and Physics) for MPhys and BBBCC for the foundation year; Welsh Baccalaureate ABB from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales and two A-levels (Maths and Physics) for the BSc; BTEC DDD plus A-level Maths B for the BSc, with a relevant Extended Diploma (D*DD plus Maths A for MPhys); Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits (30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit) in relevant subjects for the BSc. The foundation-year T-level requirements are detailed on the course page.
• Admissions tests and interviews: the “Selection process” sections of the physics course pages say only that offers are made in grades and suitable applicants are invited to an offer-holder event; no physics admissions test or interview is listed. Other test requirements are not given on the pages used for this guide, so ask Admissions.
• English: see section 4.

3. UK applicants

• Accepted qualifications: A-levels, BTECs, the IB, the European Baccalaureate, Access to HE Diplomas, Scottish Highers, the Welsh Baccalaureate (combined with two A-levels) and some T-levels; the grades for each course are in the previous section. Surrey’s FAQ says the only A-levels it cannot consider are General Studies and Critical Thinking, that Mathematics and Further Mathematics count as two separate A-levels, and that applicants with a science A-level and the Science Practical Endorsement are expected to pass the practical. Offers are made in grades, not UCAS tariff points.
• BTECs and mixed combinations: the alternative qualifications page has a guide table, for example AAB corresponds to AA+D, A+DD or DDD (Surrey says it is only a guideline and not every combination is accepted); for mixed combinations contact Admissions with the course you want.
• Contextual offers: for UK-domiciled applicants, decided automatically from UCAS data without extra paperwork. The criteria include living in a POLAR4 quintile 1 or IMD quintile 1 area, care experience, free school meals during secondary school and estrangement from parents. The page says the offer is typically two A-level grades (or one BTEC grade) lower than the published offer, subject requirements are not reduced, and contextual offers are for home students only. The separate In2Surrey scheme gives a reduction of one grade to state-school applicants who meet its criteria (for example eligibility for a 16-19 bursary, mature students aged 21 or over, carers, or a disability or long-term health condition); you can qualify for both but receive at most one reduction. Contextual offer holders are invited to the In2Surrey Transition Programme (June to October) and can apply for travel support to offer-holder events and interviews.
• EPQ: all four physics pages say the EPQ route applies only to MPhys: with an A in the EPQ you receive the standard A-level offer plus an alternate offer one A-level grade lower; the reduction does not apply to required subjects and cannot be combined with contextual or In2Surrey reductions. The BSc entry lists do not mention an EPQ reduction.
• Tuition: the course page shows UK fees of £10,050 a year (2027–28). Surrey says the Student Loans Company pays tuition fee loans according to its own schedule, and that Surrey may raise UK fees in line with the government cap. The course page says only “UK fees” and does not separate England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, so check Surrey’s fee-status guidance and UKCISA.
• Support: the Starting at Surrey Bursary is a cash payment for new undergraduates identified as eligible for free school meals on their UCAS application, with no application needed (foundation-year students are not eligible); the site also lists a £3,000 Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursary.

4. International applicants (including Chinese applicants): English, qualifications and funding

• English: all four physics pages require IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each element. Surrey accepts IELTS Academic (including IELTS Online, with One Skill Retake results), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic (not the online version), the Duolingo English Test (results must be shared with Surrey), LanguageCert Academic (not the online test), Cambridge CAE/CPE, the Oxford ELLT, and qualifications such as GCSE English Language grade 4 or IB English. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo results must be within two years, CAE/CPE/LanguageCert and similar within five years, and the ELLT within 18 months. Examples from the page: IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 elsewhere equals PTE 67 overall (59 in listening, speaking and reading, 64 in writing), old-scale TOEFL iBT 88 overall (reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20, writing 19) and Duolingo 120 overall (110 in writing, 100 elsewhere); IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each element equals PTE 64 (59 each), old-scale TOEFL iBT 80 and Duolingo 110 (100 each). The test-exemption list on the English page is for postgraduate applicants; exemptions for undergraduates are not given on the pages used for this guide, so ask Admissions. Surrey also says you do not need a Secure English Language Test for degree-level study.
• If you just miss the English level: Surrey runs 11-week and 8-week pre-sessional English courses, and also accepts the British Council UK pre-sessional course, the KL Excellence certificate from KL Communications and the Oxford International Education Group online pre-sessional course.
• Qualifications by country: each course page has a “select your country” lookup that loads dynamically; its contents are not given on the pages used for this guide, so pick your country on the course page. The country overview page lists mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many others; for countries not listed Surrey says to contact Admissions.
• International Foundation Year: international students who do not meet the direct-entry requirements, or whose school qualification is not accepted, can take a foundation year at the Surrey International Study Centre (SISC) and then progress to the related degree. The undergraduate application page lists three routes: Business, Economics, Law and Social Sciences; Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences; and Life Sciences. The physics course pages say only “the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre”, while the physics subject page lists an “Engineering, Science and Computing International Foundation Year”, worded differently from the three routes on the undergraduate application page; which route leads to physics is not given on the pages used for this guide, so ask Admissions or the Study Centre. The physics degrees also have their own foundation-year versions (the Engineering and Physical Sciences Foundation Year, for example F304); Surrey’s fee page shows an overseas-fee rate for that year, and the FAQ says that for such foundation-year routes you still need qualifications equivalent to three A-levels. Entry requirements and applications for the foundation year are handled on the Study Centre’s own website, which is not covered here; check it directly. Surrey’s FAQ adds that it may consider an International Foundation Year or similar course already taken elsewhere, and asks you to send the course and school-qualification details to Admissions.
• Visa and ATAS: applicants who need a student visa complete the CAS request through CAS Shield after accepting an offer (those who do not need one must still confirm this). Some nationalities studying some subject areas need an ATAS certificate; check the CAH3 code on your offer letter against the government list. Per-course ATAS information is not given on the pages used for this guide, so follow the offer letter and Surrey’s instructions. Surrey warns that changing course while on a student visa could affect immigration status.
• Tuition and payment: see section 8. Surrey says there is no tuition deposit (you are invoiced after registration), though students applying for a visa may pay some or all of the first year in advance.
• Scholarships for international students: see section 8.

5. Applicants from China

• Is the gaokao used? Surrey’s China page says it accepts the Chinese National University Entrance Examination (gaokao) for direct entry to Year 1 and gives equivalences with A-level offers: AAA = 80%, AAB = 78%, ABB = 73%, BBB = 70%, BBC = 68%, BCC = 65%, CCC = 63%. It adds that where a subject is required you need the same percentage in that subject (its example: if Maths is required for a BBB course, 70% in Maths). The Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate and IELTS are required. This table sits on the China page; the course pages do not convert it into a gaokao score for each course, so for this specific course the exact requirement is not given on the pages used for this guide and you should confirm with Admissions.
• International Foundation Year: if you do not meet the direct-entry requirements you can take the Study Centre’s International Foundation Year (routes in the previous section); the China page also mentions a Chinese-language site for the Study Centre.
• English: the same course-level requirement as above. The English page also lists a Certificate of Excellence from KL Communications in China as a top-up to the IELTS, valid if obtained within one year before the course starts.
• Chinese-language resources: the China page mentions a dedicated Chinese website, a regional manager for East Asia and authorised representatives. Interviews, credential-verification bodies and similar course-specific points for Chinese applicants are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the China page and the Chinese website.
• Scholarships: the Vice-Chancellor’s Future Leaders Award (£7,500) is limited to students domiciled in listed countries and China is not on the list; the International Excellence Award (£5,000) is open to self-funded international students regardless of nationality (section 8).

6. Route and timeline for September 2027 entry

• Apply only through UCAS; Surrey does not accept direct applications. Surrey’s UCAS institution code is S85 and the course codes are in section 1. A UCAS application has up to five choices and you can use as many as you like at Surrey; universities do not see your other choices until you have replied to your offers. Check the UCAS website for its own fees and rules.
• Dates for 2027 entry (from Surrey’s “How to apply through UCAS” page): UCAS sends applications to universities from September; 13 January 2027, 18:00 is the equal-consideration deadline for most courses, with later applications considered first come, first served; UCAS Extra opens on 25 February; 30 June 2027 is Surrey’s final application date, after which applications go to Clearing; the deadline to meet offer conditions is 27 August 2027 (TBC) for some courses (including GSA courses and some in Health and Medical Sciences) and 3 September 2027 (TBC) for most others; the start date is 20 September 2027 and enrolment is due by 8 October 2027 (TBC) for most courses. The early deadline of 15 October (2026) applies only to Veterinary Medicine and Science BVMSci and UK-resident applicants to Graduate Entry Medicine BMBS,.
• The FAQ says you can start a UCAS application from the end of May and Surrey usually starts reviewing from October. Some courses cannot be deferred (see the course pages); otherwise ask Admissions for a deferral by 3 September 2027.
• Personal statement: one statement goes to every choice, so avoid naming universities; for very different subject areas, some courses may consider an additional statement sent directly to Admissions. The reference should ideally come from your most recent education provider.
• Admissions tests or written tests are not listed on the course pages used for this guide; ask Admissions.

7. How Surrey assesses applications

• After UCAS sends your application, Surrey emails you (the timeline page says within 24 hours; the “After you apply” page says to expect the confirmation within five days and to check junk mail if it does not arrive) with your University Number and a Surrey Self-Service link, which is where you upload documents, book events and see your offer letter.
• Initial screening against the published criteria, plus the personal statement and reference, aims to finish within two weeks; an academic referral can add up to a week; some courses invite applicants to a selection event (see the course page). Surrey normally decides by the end of March; the UCAS final deadline for universities to decide is in early May.
• Offers are unconditional or conditional; conditions usually include achieving grades, providing certificates and meeting the English requirement. UCAS passes on results for qualifications on its list; others must be uploaded to Surrey Self-Service. Conditions are normally due by 3 September (earlier for some courses); to be guaranteed campus accommodation you must meet them earlier, as the accommodation pages explain.
• If you miss the conditions Surrey looks at all results and for some courses may accept slightly lower grades, so upload everything. The FAQ also says Surrey considers applicants who narrowly miss the required or predicted grades. The physics pages say suitable applicants are invited to an offer-holder event to learn about the course and meet staff and students.

8. Fees and scholarships

• Tuition (2027–28): for Physics, Physics with Astronomy, Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics and Physics with Quantum Computing, Surrey’s 2027-entry fee table and course pages show UK fees of £10,050 a year and overseas fees of £28,100 a year; the foundation year and MPhys are charged at the same rate, and a placement year costs £2,010. The BSc is 3 years (4 with a placement or a foundation year, 5 with both) and the MPhys 4 years.
• Increases: Surrey says overseas undergraduate fees rise by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, and UK fees may rise with the government cap. For courses with a placement year the placement-year fee is about 20% of the UK full-time fee (both the course pages and the fee page show £2,010, for UK and overseas students alike). Foundation-year fees are on each course page.
• Payment: students without a tuition fee loan pay in full at the start or in two instalments: 50% ten days after the invoice date (expected October to November) and 50% in January.
• International Excellence Award: £5,000 off tuition, first year only, for self-funded overseas-fee students of any nationality. You must hold an offer for full-time first-year undergraduate entry, make Surrey your firm choice on UCAS (Clearing applicants can also apply), have applied through UCAS by 30 June 2027, and apply before a CAS is issued. Applications are reviewed monthly on a first-come, first-served basis and, for September 2027, close on 24 August 2027; the panel assesses previous results, predicted grades and the personal statement. It cannot be combined with other Surrey scholarships, the alumni discount or the early-payment discount, cannot be deferred, and is not open to Study Centre students; Clearing applicants need at least ABB or equivalent. It is application-based, not automatic.
• Vice-Chancellor’s Future Leaders Award: £7,500 off tuition for self-funded international students domiciled in a list of countries (including Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam); China is not listed. It also has to be applied for before a CAS is issued, with a 24 August 2027 deadline for September 2027.
• Other awards, such as the International Students Travel Placement Grant, are on Surrey’s scholarships page; check the conditions there. UK-student support is in section 3.

9. Transfer and second-year entry

• Surrey says it considers second-year entry applications for many undergraduate programmes; the FAQ says “a number of our courses” in one place (and asks you to check first) and “many” in another, so contact Admissions to confirm (the physics pages do not say whether physics takes second-year entrants; compare your modules with the first-year core modules such as Fundamentals of Physics, Essential Mathematics, Oscillations and Waves and Atoms and Quanta, and contact the School of Mathematics and Physics). Within the School, Surrey says you can switch between most of the specialist physics courses during the first year.
• Conditions: at least a 2:1 in your current studies; comparable modules to the target course (compare the module list on the course page); and, for non-native English speakers, normally IELTS or an equivalent. You must submit a complete UCAS application so Surrey can assess it.
• Applicants who need a student visa: the FAQ says Surrey “may not be able to consider” them, so contact Admissions first.
• Recognition of prior learning: formal, certified or experiential learning is normally expected to be less than five years old when you apply; Surrey has a Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning guide (PDF).
• Moving between courses inside Surrey depends on places, academic approval and meeting the entry requirements of the new course; for students on a student visa a course change could affect immigration status.

Checklist

UK applicants:

• Apply through UCAS (S85) by course code; typical A-level offer ABB with Maths and Physics (AAA–AAB for MPhys); equal-consideration deadline 13 January 2027, 18:00
• UK fee £10,050 a year; contextual offers (two A-level grades lower) or In2Surrey (one grade lower) if eligible

International applicants (including China):

• IB 33 (35–34 for MPhys, with Physics HL5/SL6 and Maths) or A-levels; Chinese applicants may use the gaokao (equivalence table on the China page) with the graduation certificate and IELTS, or the International Foundation Year
• IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each element; tuition £28,100 a year; International Excellence Award £5,000, apply before a CAS is issued, closing 24 August 2027

Transfer applicants:

• At least a 2:1 so far and comparable modules; apply through UCAS, and contact Admissions first if you need a student visa

Sources: University of Surrey, Physics subject page; Physics BSc/MPhys; Physics with Astronomy; Physics with Nuclear Astrophysics; Physics with Quantum Computing; Undergraduate applicants; Application timeline; How to apply through UCAS; After you apply; Your offer; FAQs; Contextual offers; Alternative qualifications; Student transfers; English language requirements; Undergraduate fees 2027 entry; China page; China entry requirements; International Excellence Award; Vice-Chancellor’s Future Leaders Award; Starting at Surrey Bursary. Information is for September 2027 entry (the FAQ page says its policies and dates relate to the 2026 UCAS cycle); check Surrey for the latest details.