How to Apply to Physics at Swansea University: Physics, Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics and Particle Physics and Cosmology Degrees on the Singleton Park Campus, Some With a Four-Year MPhys, and Entry Requirements for UK, International (Including Chinese) and Year 2 Applicants

Swansea University’s physics degrees are taught on the Singleton Park Campus and are listed under the School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics in the course directory. This guide sets out what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Swansea’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 degrees and how you are admitted

• Physics: BSc over three years (UCAS code F300); four-year BSc with a Foundation Year (F301), a Year Abroad (F302) or a Year in Industry (F478). MPhys integrated master’s: four years (F303), five years with a Year Abroad (F304) or five years with a Year in Industry (F30Y). The website describes the MPhys as an extra year centred on a research project.
• Astrophysics BSc, three years (F510), or four years with a Foundation Year (F51F), a Year Abroad (F51A) or a Year in Industry (F51I); only the BSc is listed, with no MPhys. Theoretical Physics: BSc three years (F341), four years with a Year in Industry (F636); MPhys four years (F340), five years with a Year in Industry (F857). Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology BSc, three years (F3F5), with specialist topics including Astronomy and Astrophysics, Gravitation and Cosmology, Quantum Information, and Nuclear and advanced Particle Physics.
• You apply to a specific course by UCAS code (or directly, for international applicants). Whether and when you can switch between Physics, Astrophysics and Theoretical Physics after entry, and on what grades, is not given on the course pages used for this guide; ask the department or admissions.
• Year 1 (Physics BSc as the example): compulsory modules are Classical Mechanics; Astronomy, Cosmology and Special Relativity; Mathematics for Physicists I and II; and Quantum Mechanics I, 20 credits each, plus a 20-credit Practical Physics module (also offered in Welsh). Year 2 has Electromagnetism, Laboratory Physics and Group Projects, Mathematics for Physicists III, Thermal and Statistical Physics, Quantum Mechanics II and Experimental Physics (the Theoretical Physics page uses a Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics module in place of some of these). The department has research collaborations at large facilities such as CERN, and the website says students can work on advanced projects supervised by researchers.
• Year Abroad and Year in Industry: the website says Year Abroad places are limited and competitively selected, and the course page explains what happens if you do not secure one. The Year in Industry can be in the UK or overseas; the university advocates paid placements, which average a salary of over £20,000, and unpaid placements are considered case by case. The Physics Industrial Placement Year module is 120 credits.
• Accreditation: the Physics, Theoretical Physics and Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology pages state that the course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP). The Astrophysics page says it is “seeking IOP accreditation that will be back dated upon approval”. The Physics department also holds Juno Practitioner status.

2. Prerequisites: A-Level, IB and other qualifications

The figures below are the typical offers on the September 2027 course pages. The pages also say the requirements are a guide and offers are tailored to the applicant.

• The pages also list mixed qualifications (for Physics BSc, 120 UCAS tariff points including 40 in Mathematics and Physics). The BTEC and Access entries for the Physics, Theoretical Physics and Particle Physics courses read “N/A”; the Astrophysics page accepts a BTEC at DDD plus a B in A-Level Mathematics. The Physics BSc A-Level line names only a B in Mathematics, while its mixed-qualification line asks for Mathematics and Physics; the pages do not reconcile the two, so ask admissions whether A-Level Physics is required.
• Entrance test or interview: the physics course pages used for this guide do not mention a written test or an interview.
• English: the general page says most departments ask for IELTS 6.0 at undergraduate level; the physics course pages used for this guide do not show a separate IELTS score, so follow the course page and your offer letter.

How and when to apply

• UCAS: full-time undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Swansea’s UCAS institution name and code is SWAN S93; the campus code can be left blank. The application-process page quotes the deadline for 2026 entry (14 January 2026, 18:00), which is the previous cycle, and says most courses still consider applications after the deadline. Check the UCAS website for the 2027-entry deadline.
• International applicants can apply directly: the website says international students can apply directly, free of charge, through the Learner Gateway application portal; applications can be saved, and an unfinished application can be reopened within one month. The course pages also say international students may apply through UCAS. International students who have already submitted a UCAS application are told to apply through Clearing.
• The university’s own deadlines for September 2027 entry: Home, 6 October 2027; International, 27 August 2027. The international deposit deadline is given as “Wednesday, 3rd September 2027”, but 3 September 2027 is not a Wednesday, so the date and weekday do not match; check the website. The site also warns that courses close earlier if all places are filled.
• Interviews: the website says most programmes do not require an interview; where one is needed the faculty explains the format. Courses that do use interviews are noted in the subject sections below.
• Deferred entry: most undergraduate programmes will consider deferred entry, with exceptions for the most competitive courses; you can apply through UCAS for the following year or ask for deferral during the cycle.
• Under 18: applicants who will be under 18 at entry need a declaration signed by a parent or guardian and formal clearance from the university before turning 18; the university emails the details after you apply.

UK (Home) applicants

• The website guarantees a conditional offer to every UK undergraduate applicant who is studying the qualifications required for the chosen course. The guarantee applies to Home applicants only and does not apply to courses with professional requirements or externally funded places (for example nursing, healthcare science, midwifery, occupational therapy, and graduate-entry medicine).
• Home qualifications covered on the course pages include A-Level, BTEC, T Level, Access to HE, mixed qualifications (UCAS tariff points) and the IB; the exact figures are in the subject sections below. The website says its entry requirements are “your guide, not your barrier”, that offers are tailored to the applicant, and that you can talk to admissions about your offer at any stage.
• Fee status: the website says fees fall into Home and International categories, depending on nationality, immigration status and residence history; living in the UK for three years does not on its own make you eligible for Home fees. If unsure, submit a full application and the university will assess your fee status.

International applicants

• Qualifications: the international entry-requirements page gives general minimum standards for entry to Year 1 and warns that individual courses may ask for more. The course pages quoted below are written in A-Level and IB terms; for other national qualifications use the country table on the website, and if yours is not listed you can submit a free application and the university will advise.
• English: the website says most departments ask for IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) at undergraduate level, with exceptions, so check each course page and your offer letter. If you fall short, you can take a pre-sessional course at the university’s English Language Training Services. Some students on a Student visa must use a Secure English Language Test (SELT).
• Qualification verification: from September 2024 entry, international applicants may be asked to verify their qualifications through the university’s Qualification Check portal, usually for a fee of £40; your offer letter will say.
• Deposit and CAS: international students must pay a minimum deposit of £4,000 to secure a place and receive a CAS statement (exceptions exist; see the deposit FAQ). The deposit counts toward tuition fees. Supply the transcripts, references and English results listed in your offer; the website advises meeting all conditions by August.
• ATAS: some international students on certain science and engineering-related courses need an ATAS certificate before applying for a Student visa; your offer letter says whether it applies.
• Accommodation: new international students who apply before 30 July, hold a firm offer for a full-time course and apply for university accommodation are guaranteed a place (the page does not show a year, so check the 2027 rule).
• International pathway (The College): applicants who do not meet direct-entry requirements can apply to The College, Swansea University, the university’s international pathway provider, for an undergraduate Foundation or International Year One programme; the website says progression to Swansea University is guaranteed on successful completion. International students starting at Foundation level are taught at The College, except for a few medical-science programmes taught by the university itself.

Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the international entry-requirements page lists, for China, the Gaokao at an overall score of 70%–75%; the first year of a Chinese undergraduate degree at 60%; and the Zhuanke graduation certificate at 60%–75%. These are general minimum standards for Year 1 entry. Whether a subject sets a separate Gaokao requirement (for example in Mathematics or Physics) is not published on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions (admissions@swansea.ac.uk).
• How to apply: the China page says to apply through the Learner Gateway application portal and send your transcripts and a personal statement. It warns that offers can take up to 15 days to process and to email the international admissions team if you have not heard back. It says there are over 700 Chinese students at Swansea and lists regional representatives who can answer questions.
• The College’s requirements for Chinese qualifications: Foundation, two semesters: completion of Senior Middle 2; one semester: Senior Middle 3 with a 60% average, and Huikao holders can be considered for an accelerated Foundation; Engineering and Science Foundation routes need 70% in Mathematics. International Year One: Management, Economics and Accounting pathways, Senior Middle 3 with a 65% average; other pathways, Senior Middle 3 with a 75%–80% average including the relevant subject (such as Mathematics).
• Language and documents: a separate IELTS rule for Chinese applicants, Huikao paperwork and any verification agency are not published on the pages used for this guide; follow the course page and your offer letter and confirm with admissions. The university also runs a Chinese-language website and social channels.

Fees

• Home fee: the website says the undergraduate fee cap rises from 2026/27 and Swansea’s fee is adjusted to £9,790; the physics course pages show £9,790 for both September 2026 and September 2027 entry, and a tuition fee loan of the same amount is available. The website notes that future changes follow the Welsh Government’s regulated maximum.
• International fee: first-year fees on the Physics, Astrophysics, Theoretical Physics and Particle Physics and Cosmology pages are £25,200 for September 2026 entry and £26,450 for September 2027 entry. The website says international fees rise by 3% for each subsequent year of study.
• Placement and Year Abroad years: the undergraduate fees page says the fee for a Year in Industry or Year in Applied Research is 20% of the standard fee, and for a Year Abroad 15%.

Scholarships

• International Excellence Scholarships: a tuition discount of up to £5,000 in the first year; undergraduates who receive the full £5,000 get a further £2,000 in the second year if they achieve a 70% average. You must already hold an offer. There are separate forms for “China” and “Rest of the World”, chosen by country of ordinary residence. The round now open is for January and March 2027 entry and closes at 12:00 GMT on 27 November 2026; the opening date for September 2027 entry is not given on the pages used for this guide, so watch the website or register for email updates.
• International undergraduate bursaries: the Thrive, Nepal and Sri Lanka bursaries are awarded automatically to eligible self-funding new students by country of domicile. Hong Kong is on the Thrive list; mainland China is not.
• Sports Scholarship: a support package for high-performance athletes; international students may apply (see the website for terms).
• The College: the website says its undergraduate pathways offer discounts worth up to £12,000; check The College’s scholarships page for conditions.

Joining Year 2 (direct entry)

• The website says Year 2 entry is considered case by case for most programmes if places are available. Give as much information as possible up front; applicants transferring from another university typically need to show details of all modules they are taking so the university can check they can progress smoothly. Transfers from another university also apply through UCAS.
• Course-specific grade thresholds, required modules and deadlines for Year 2 entry are not published on the pages used for this guide; ask admissions directly. For students who have finished the first year of a Chinese undergraduate degree, the international page lists a 60% general standard, but that is for Year 1 entry, and Year 2 entry is assessed separately.

Sources: Swansea University, Physics BSc/MPhys; Astrophysics BSc; Theoretical Physics BSc/MPhys; Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology BSc; Undergraduate application process; Guaranteed offers; How to apply - international; Undergraduate international entry requirements; Students from China; Application deadlines; English language requirements; Undergraduate tuition fees; International undergraduate scholarships; International Excellence Scholarships; The College undergraduate pathways; The College academic entry requirements. Information is for September 2027 entry. Fees, deadlines and entry requirements change every year; check the Swansea and UCAS websites and each course page before you apply.