University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE
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Course contact details
Applicant Enquiry Team
Email:ask@uws.ac.uk
Phone:0800 027 1000
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Physics with Education
- BSc (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 08/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Paisley Campus
Course summary
OVERVIEW
This programme contains all of the core material of the physics programme – including quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and atomic, nuclear and particle physics – combined with material taught by our education department.
The Education material is taught in Years 3 and 4. You will get professional experience with placements in schools throughout Year 4.
You will graduate from the programme eligible for provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and entry to the Teaching Induction Scheme as a secondary school teacher of physics.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
• This programme combines an IOP-accredited physics degree with the training necessary to become a physics teacher.
• You will get classroom experience in three schools placements during Year 4 of the programme.
• There is a high demand for secondary-school physics teachers in Scotland and the UK.
• The physics modules are delivered by staff who are carrying out research at the forefront of their fields.
• The programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics, which allows you to register as a Chartered Physicist following graduation.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
Our campuses are home to modern classrooms, state-of-the-art teaching facilities, and well-equipped laboratories that will help you learn the relevant theoretical principles and practical skills required for a career in physics and teaching.
CAREERS
There is high demand for physics graduates in industries including microelectronic telecommunications, optics, energy, teaching and research. Following graduation from the BSc (Hons) Physics with Education programme, graduates are provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and are eligible for a one-year paid induction post in a Scottish secondary school.
Modules
Year 1
You will undertake five core modules and one optional module. Core modules include physics and mathematics. Aspects of atomic physics and thermodynamics are also taught.
Year 2
You will cover other areas including electronics, vibrations and waves, and mathematical modelling. Practical and professional scientific skills are also developed.
Year 3
You will take four core physics modules covering important aspects of physics such as quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics and statistical physics. You will also take a double-weighted module in education focusing on the policies and influences in education.
Year 4
You will spend eighteen weeks on school experience placements in at least two high schools.
The five blocks of placement will enable students to connect theory and practice in relation to teaching and assessment of physics and general science, and develop an understanding of wider school issues.
Assessment method
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops.
You will also have the opportunity to take part in group work and independent learning to develop your transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.
This degree is assessed using a variety of assessment methods including:
• Written examinations
• Coursework
• Practical assessment.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- General Teaching Council for Scotland
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Secondary
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:
- PE30
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Paisley Campus
- Campus Code:
- P
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD including Maths and Physics
A Levels: BBC including Maths and Physics
International Baccalaureate: 28 points including Maths and Physics
T Level: Full T Level with Grade M (120 Tariff points) in relevant subject plus GCSE English at C/5
SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Physics; Applied Science
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM
Scottish Baccalaureate in Science (subject to review by programme leader)
Year 3 Entry:
SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND/Foundation Degree: Physics; Applied Science plus Higher English (or equivalent)
Before progressing to Year 3, students must meet the following requirements: (i) English at SCQF Level 6 (e.g. Higher) (ii) Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (e.g. National 5, Standard Grade (Grade 1 or 2), Intermediate 2. (iii) Successful interview with School of Education. (iv) Students who are offered the opportunity to progress to Year 3 of this programme must apply for and obtain membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 90 points
Including Maths and Physics.
A level - CCD
Including Maths and Physics plus GCSE English. .
Entry to Year 2 with A Levels in BBC including Maths and Physics plus GCSE English.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
in relevant subject
Scottish Higher - BCCC
Including Maths/Applications of Maths and Physics plus National 5 English at C, OR BBBC including Maths at B and National 5 Physics at B, plus National 5 English at C.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM
For year 2 entry
Scottish Advanced Higher - CCD
For entry to Year 2, including Maths and Physics and National 5 English Grade C
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 24 points
Including Maths and Physics
For year 2 entry, 28 points including Maths and Physics
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
Including Maths and Physics.
Scottish HNC - Pass
Entry to Year 2 with HNC Physics or HNC Applied Science
Scottish HND - Pass
Entry to Year 3 with a HND in either Physics or Applied Science, plus Higher English
T Level - Pass (C and above)
in relevant subject, plus GCSE English at 5/C
For year 2 entry, Grade M required in relevant subject plus GCSE English at C/5
Entry to Year 1 with SWAP (BBB) in Access to STEM.
Entry to Year 2 with Scottish Baccalaureate in Science (subject to review by programme leader)
Before progressing to Year 3, students must meet the following requirements: (i) English at SCQF Level 6 (e.g. Higher) (ii) Mathematics at SCQF Level 5 (e.g. National 5, Standard Grade (Grade 1 or 2), Intermediate 2. (iii) Successful interview with School of Education. (iv) Students who are offered the opportunity to progress to Year 3 of this programme must apply for and obtain membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - 63 points
including Maths and Physics
A level - CCD
including Maths and Physics
Scottish Higher - CCC
including Maths/Applications of Maths and Physics (or Higher Maths at B and National 5 Physics at B), plus National 5 English at Grade C
Alternative Minimum Entry Requirements: CC (42 UCAS Tariff points), including Maths/Applications of Maths and Physics (or Higher Maths at B and National 5 Physics at B), plus National 5 English at Grade C, PLUS successful completion of one of the following:
UWS Foundation Academy
Foundation Apprenticeship
UWS Next Steps to University module
Top-Up
LEAPS
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H4
Including Maths and Physics
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
- Interview
- A successful interview is required for admission to year 3 of this programme
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS.
All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of:
// Native speakers of English
// Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
// non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/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.
Our Minimum Entry Requirements are applicable to those applicants who have not had an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic ability at school or college and are known as ‘widening access’ applicants. We also sometimes refer to this type of applicant as receiving a ‘contextual’ offer. For more information, please visit our website using the link below.
Learn more on the University of the West of Scotland 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
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £18000* | Year 1 |
| International | £18000* | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
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