Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies (MPhys) at University of Southampton

About

Combine physics with the emerging field of quantum science and technologies. The technologies you'll explore range from quantum computing and telecommunication to gravity sensors.

Quantum systems are usually in the nanoscale and created, interrogated and studied using light. Therefore, you'll cover quantum science and quantum optics, nanoscience, quantum information theory, and light and lasers.

You’ll be taught by academics who are making advances in this area. Our academics are specialists in quantum computing and information, quantum interactions of light and matter, Bose-Einstein condensation, lasers and photonics and nano science.

You’ll study in our clean rooms for fabrication at the atomic level and use our rooftop observatory. We're also home to the Optoelectronics Research Centre, which is one of the world’s leading institutes for photonics research.

As part of this course you'll:

gain a thorough grounding in the theories of physics and astronomy
study the concepts of quantum information, cryptography, photonics and nanoscience
develop problem-solving skills to test theories of physics
write an individual dissertation
carry out an extended research project

Flagship degrees

If you’re a high-performing student, you may also be invited to join one of our flagship programmes. These are 4-year, MPhys courses, where you can pursue a cutting-edge research project here or abroad, or with a local industrial partner:

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
AABB-AABC including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)

A-levels additional information

Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to three A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A), plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 38-36 points overall, with 19-18 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and 6 at Higher Level in physics

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D*-D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA-A*A in A-level physics and A-level mathematics or further mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC National Diploma if it has been studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.

We will consider the BTEC National Extended Diploma if it has been studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

QCF BTEC

D*-D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA-A*A in A-level physics and A-level mathematics or further mathematics.

We will consider the BTEC Extended Diploma if it has been studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.

We will consider the BTEC Diploma if it has been studied alongside A-levels in mathematics/further mathematics and physics.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with an Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1,H1,H1,H2,H2,H2- H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics

Irish certificate additional information

Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D2 D3 D3 - D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including physics (minimum grade D3) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade D3)

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of A Level grade B.

Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

Applicants who have not studied the required Principal subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate

A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
A*A-AA from two A-levels including physics and either mathematics or further mathematics and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
or
AAAB-AABB including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)
or
AA from two A-levels including physics and either mathematics or further mathematics, plus grades AB-BB from a third A-level and the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to a lower offer.

A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed.

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with a T level Technical Qualification in a relevant subject can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

With this integrated master's degree you could embark on a career in the emerging quantum technologies industry. There is a quantum skills shortage in the UK which even extends to the financial and banking sector.

Quantum skills are need in key technologies such as aerospace, defence and security, information and communications technology. Large corporations, including BAE, Thales, DSTL, BT need scientists familiar with concepts and techniques such as:

sensing
information processing
secure communications

In addition, the UK’s Quantum Technology initiative – supported by the EU’s Quantum Flagship programme – have created many start-up companies needing engineering expertise as their products come to market.

You'll also have the advanced laboratory skills for an experimentally oriented career as a quantum physicist or in other areas of physics. You could go into research and development, do further study at PhD level, or choose from a wide range of other professions.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 31,000

Application Fee

GBP

Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies (MPhys)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines