Entry Requirements

You will need grade 6 in GCSE Physics or 66 in Combined Science plus grade 6 in GCSE Maths and grade 5 in GCSE English Language.

Exam Board Specification

What you will study

  • Measurements and their errors
  • Particle Physics
  • Quantum Physics
  • Waves
  • Mechanics and materials
  • Electricity
  • Further mechanics and thermal physics
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Electric Fields
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Nuclear Physics
  • Astrophysics
Student using hairdryer to make a windmill move

Assessments

Three exam papers (scientific theory, applied mathematics, practical skills and data analysis).
Practical Element – a minimum of 12 practical tasks over two years

Course Support

  • Full set of resources including practice questions to consolidate learning and knowledge
  • Lab sessions to develop practical and data analysis skills
  • Weekly tutorials
  • Regular assignments and progress monitoring
  • Build model telescopes, engines, bridges, rockets and robotic arms in our ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers’ Programme

Enrichment Activities

  • Competitions including the Physics Olympiad
  • Future Engineers & Science Society Enrichment Programmes
  • Talks on cutting-edge research from the University of Liverpool
  • Physics High Achievers+ Programme
  • Trips and visits e.g. to London, Jodrell Bank, Daresbury Laboratories and CERN in Geneva

Science Society is a society for those students looking to study a Science related degree at Oxbridge or another prestigious university. View the SciSoc video

Facilities

2 fully equipped laboratories including:

  • Equipment for class practical work
  • Equipment for individual research investigations
  • Data logging equipment for real-time data capture
  • Lasers, microwave transmitters and receivers, spectrometers etc for wave/light experiments
  • Radioactive sources and detectors for radiation experiments
  • Oscilloscopes, electronics workstations, digital multimeters etc. for d.c. and a.c. circuits
  • Data projectors
  • Computer workstations, all students also have access to a computer suite
Physics classroom with electricity ball

Progression

Physics graduates are in demand because of their analytical and problem-solving skills. Students develop skills that can be transferred to the world of work; from setting up a business to dealing with climate change.

 

Male student sat in science classroom. St helens college

Careers Opportunities

In the past, our students have entered a broad range of areas including engineering, medicine, architecture, computer science as well as physics.

Physics students studying in the classroom.

Entry Requirements

You will need grade 6 in GCSE Physics or 66 in Combined Science plus grade 6 in GCSE Maths and grade 5 in GCSE English Language.

Exam Board Specification