Theoretical Physics is aimed at students interested in the more mathematical and theoretical aspect of physics. The course provides a solid grounding in all aspects of physics, both theoretical and experimental, although a significant amount of practical work is replaced by lecture courses and project work in theoretical physics. In the first two years, you study the topics of mechanics, applied mathematics and computational physics. In third year you study in more depth topics of particular interest to you, for example, quantum theory, electromagnetic theory and tensor field theory.

Course highlights

Professional Accreditations

You will have partially fulfilled the requirements to obtain the status of Chartered Physicist (CPhys) with the Institute of Physics.

Industry Links

All students in the school have the option to include a year in industry as part of their studies. This is a fantastic opportunity to see Physics at work in the real world, and to enhance your career prospects at the same time. Possible placements will include companies in the finance and technology sectors, and indeed we maintain strong links with local companies who hire Physics graduates, for example Andor Technology, AquaQ Analytics, Seagate, General Electric, Medical Physics in The NHS.

Career Development

92% of Physics students are in graduate employment or further study 15 months after graduation (6th in the UK).
87% of Maths students are in graduate employment or further study 15 months after graduation (11th in the UK)

The most recent HESA data shows that over 95% of QUB physics graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

World Class Facilities

You will be taught in our new state-of-the-art teaching centre, containing specialist laboratory equipment and computer facilities.

Internationally Renowned Experts

All of our faculty staff are research scientists in their own right; in the 2021 REF peer-review exercise, Physics Research Power was in the top 20 in the UK and Mathematics Research has the 11th highest impact in the UK.

Student Experience

In the 2025 National Student Survey, Maths placed first out of the 24 Russell Group of Universities with an overall satisfaction score of 85% with a score of 95% for the academic support theme questions. Physics placed 3rd out of the Russell group with satisfaction rating of 81% and scores of 89% for the teaching theme and scores of 93% for academic support and learning resources.

School has the 3rd highest postgraduate research student satisfaction in the university.

The School of Mathematics and Physics was 3rd of 15 schools in the University in overall NSS score.

Further Study Opportunities

Placement Year
Students can take an optional placement year between years 2/3 of their course. Completion of an approved placement will be acknowledged in your final degree certificate with the addition of the words "with placement year".

You can join the Physics and Mathematics Society (PAMSOC) which organises events and trips throughout the year. You can also take advantage of the many events held within the Northern Ireland Science Festival each February, which School staff and postgraduate students heavily support.

The Theoretical Physics programme at Queen’s offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their interests. We offer a range of modules across the main areas of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and physics. Pure Mathematics provides the essential tools used in the increasingly numerate science of today, and is continually developing new ones to solve problems at the forefront of research in many disciplines. Applied Mathematics is concerned with the application of Mathematics to the study of the physical universe, including theoretical physics, as well as the social, industrial and commercial world. Physics studies how our Universe works, from the smallest atomic nucleus to the largest galaxy. It includes areas such as quantum theory, relativity and electromagnetic theory, and lies at the heart of most modern technology

Introduction

The module information is subject to change. This is the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Stage 1

At Stage 1, students take all compulsory modules.

Stage 2

At Stage 2, students take all compulsory modules.

Stage 3

At Stage 3, students must take an approved selection of Stage 3 modules.

• People Teaching You
  Dr Satyabrata Kar

  Reader, School of Mathematics and Physics

  School of Maths and Physics
  Dr Kar is a Reader in Physics and is an internationally recognised expert in the areas of high-intensity laser-plasma interaction. His main focus is on the development and optimisation of laser-driven ion and neutron sources for their wide-ranging applications in Science, security and healthcare.

  Dr Thomas Huettemann

  Senior Lecturer

  School of Maths and Physics
  Dr Huettemann is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics with research interests in homological algebra, graded algebra and K-theory.

• Contact Teaching Hours

  Personal Study

  21 (hours maximum)
  21 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities etc.

  Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

  2 (hours maximum)
  2 hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week.

  Medium Group Teaching

  5 (hours maximum)
  5 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week.

  Large Group Teaching

  8 (hours maximum)
  8 hours of lectures.

• Learning and Teaching

  At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.
  
  The BSc in Theoretical Physics provides a range of learning experiences which enable students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  Lectures

  These introduce and explain the foundation information about topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. The material in the lectures will follow the syllabus issued at the start of the module, and will form the basis of the assessment carried out. As the modules progress and students' knowledge of physics grows, this information becomes more complex. Lectures, which are normally delivered in large groups to all year-group peers, also provide opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification on key issues as well as gain feedback and advice on assessments.
  
  Additional lectures may also be also delivered by invited speakers and scientists from various areas of physics – these lectures generally do not form part of the assessed work, but students are encouraged to attend to widen their knowledge and appreciation of the subject. There may also be lectures from employers of physics graduates. These enable employers to impart their valuable experience to physics students, and allows our physics students to meet and engage with potential future employers.

  Personal Tutor

  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Level 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

  Self-directed study

  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  Supervised projects

  In final year, students will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology that they have chosen. Students will receive support from a supervisor who will guide them in terms of how to carry out research and who will provide feedback on at least 2 occasions during the write up stage.

  Tutorials

  A significant amount of teaching is carried out in small groups (2–5 students), particularly at Stage 1. These sessions are designed to explore, in more depth, the information that has been presented in the lectures, and are normally based on coursework submitted by the students. This provides students with the opportunity to engage closely with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of their peers. During these classes, students will be expected to present their work to academic staff and their peers.

• Assessment

  Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

A level requirements

A (Mathematics) AB (Physics)
OR
A* (Mathematics) BB (Physics)

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H2H3H3H3H3H3 including Higher Level grade H2 in Mathematics and H3 in Physics

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with a minimum of 80% in each Level 3 module. Must be relevant Access Course with substantial Mathematics and Physics modules (eg Engineering).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

34 points overall including 6 (Mathematics) 6 5 at Higher Level including Physics.

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree, provided any subject requirements are also met.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

• How we choose our students

  Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by the School of Mathematics and Physics. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.
  
  Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.
  
  For entry last year, applicants for programmes in the School of Mathematics and Physics offering A-level/BTEC Level 3 qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language and Mathematics), though this profile may change from year to year depending on the demand for places. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.
  
  Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.
  
  Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.
  
  For applicants offering the Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry, applicants for this degree must have had a minimum of five IJC grades at C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.
  
  Applicants offering other qualifications will also be considered. The same GCSE (or equivalent) profile is usually expected of those candidates offering other qualifications.
  
  The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of degree courses in the School of Mathematics and Physics, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.
  
  A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.
  
  Applicants are not normally asked to attend for interview.
  
  If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.
  
  If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions and Access Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

• International Students

  Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

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  International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

  For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

  If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

  • Foundation
    The progression course suited to this programme is
    https://qubisc.com/en/courses/international-foundation-for-science-and-engineering.