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Mathematics and Physics

  • Msci (Hon)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 29/09/2025
  • Undergraduate
Durham City
More about Durham University

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Course details
The MSci Mathematics and Physics degree focuses on mathematical rigour and theoretical aspects of physics taught by discipline experts. Mathematics and Physics are closely interlinked subjects, with each providing many fascinating insights into the other. The course provides a parallel track of theoretical physics taught by the Physics Department and mathematical physics and applied mathematics options taught by the Mathematics Department.

Why Durham University?
Real-world challenges often require multidisciplinary solutions. Our Natural Sciences degrees allow students to combine either traditional Joint-Honours degrees or transcend traditional subject boundaries, bringing together a range of ideas and disciplinary perspectives.
Focus on two subjects from the outset, or choose a broader range of modules across three or four subjects. These highly flexible courses include the opportunity to undertake a year abroad or a placement year, to develop additional skills and enjoy new experiences.
Facilities will depend on the subject specialism but include laboratories, libraries, project spaces, lecture theatres, study and networking spaces as well as shared social spaces.
You will also benefit from excellent IT facilities including Learn Ultra, Durham’s virtual learning environment. You will have access to up to 1.6 million printed books, 25,000 eJournals and over 850,000 eBooks in the main library.

Rankings
90% of courses are in the UK Top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2024
50th in the World for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2024
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2024
2nd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 for Natural Sciences

Career Opportunities
Graduates acquire a valuable range of subject-specific skills across disciplines with the capacity to make creative connections. They are highly employable in a diverse range of careers and sectors.
Natural Sciences graduates have the academic knowledge, flexibility and technical skills to take on roles including consulting, accounting, banking and investment, research, software engineer, data scientist, international development, and government.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • Mathematics
  • Physics

Modules

For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

Assessment method

The majority of modules are assessed entirely through examination with others including online tests or an element of coursework (which may involve problem solving exercises, written reports, practical work and assignments).

The final-year advanced Project is an opportunity to bring your prior learning to a project of your choice. The Project, which is assessed through a combination of oral and written presentation, is a significant piece of independent research completed under the supervision of an academic from your chosen specialism.

In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Durham City

Study options

  • Msci (Hon) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 29/09/2025

Apply by
29 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
G430
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Durham City
Campus Code:
O
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
G430
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Durham City
Campus Code:
O

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe. For further details please visit: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements for this degree might have the option to complete an International Foundation Year. For further details please visit: https://www.durhamisc.com/programmes/international-foundation-year

Open days

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Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - A*AA

Including A in Physics and either A*A in any order in Maths and Further Maths at A level or A* in Maths plus A in AS Further Maths

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*DD

And A level grades A in Physics and either A*A in any order in Maths and Further Maths at A level or A* in Maths plus A in AS Further Maths

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.

Scottish Higher - AAAAA

Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.

Scottish Advanced Higher - AAA

Specific subjects may be required depending upon the mix of subjects to be studied.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 38 points

Including 7 in Higher Level Mathematics (maths analysis & approaches) and Higher Level Physics and 66 in two other Higher Level subjects.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) - Not accepted

Extended Project - Not accepted

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H1, H2, H2, H2, H2

Specific subjects may be required depending upon the mix of subjects to be studied.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D2, D3, D3

Specific subjects may be required depending upon the mix of subjects to be studied.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - D*DD

And A in Physics A Level and either A*A in any order in Maths and Further Maths at A level or A* in Maths plus A in AS Further Maths (or equivalent) is required.

T Level

At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.

In addition to satisfying the University’s general entry requirements, please note:

We welcome applications from those with other qualifications equivalent to our standard entry requirements and from mature students with non-standard qualifications or who may have had a break in their study.
There is no advantage in applying for both MSci and BSc degrees.
Entry requirements are the same for both MSci and BSc degrees.
We do not include General Studies or Critical Thinking as part of our offer.
We are pleased to consider applications for deferred entry.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component under 6.0
TOEFL (iBT)92with no component under 23
Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by visiting the link below under English Language requirements. You should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. For more information on pre-sessional courses please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/pre-sessional-english-language-required/

English Language requirements https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Contextual offer: AAB-AAC-ABB

EITHER AA in any order in Maths and Further Maths, B in Physics at A level OR A in Maths, AB including Physics plus A in AS Further Maths OR A* in Maths, BB including Physics plus A in AS Further Maths.

Learn more on the Durham University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535Year 1
Scotland£9535Year 1
Wales£9535Year 1
Channel Islands£9535Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535Year 1
EU£33250Year 1
International£33250Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. In deciding the annual level of increase the University will take into account inflationary pressures on the costs of delivery. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.

Sponsorship information

Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/

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