Physics with Climate Science MPhys
4-5 years
Interested in advancing humanity’s understanding of climate change and our impact on the natural environment? Curious about how advanced space and airborne technology can improve our ability to predict weather or the impact of pollution? If so, Physics with Climate Science is for you.
Start date:
Course information
Typical offer AAB
UK fee £9,535
UCAS code F331
International fee £24,500
Institute code L34
Taught by School of Physics and Astronomy
Ranked 7th in subjects aligned to Physics for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).
Course description
Course description
The laws of physics govern the behaviour of the sea and atmosphere and their interactions with the land. Climate science is the study of all these, the natural and human-induced processes that drive environmental changes, and their effect on our living planet. In this degree, you’ll cover a range of climate and environmental topics, alongside the fundamentals of physics and maths.
As a Physics with Climate Science student, you will acquire an appreciation of the scope and impact of modern physics and the use of mathematics, computing and experimentation to solve important real-world problems, and develop specialised knowledge in climate science.
All our Physics students study the same core of physics and maths, based on the Institute of Physics (IOP) `fundamental areas of physics’. This includes classical mechanics, waves and fields, electromagnetism, special relativity, thermodynamics, quantum and atomic physics.
By choosing the Physics with Climate Science degree you will study these alongside specialist climate science options and take part in research projects covering the major areas of climate science research. The School of Physics and Astronomy hosts the Earth Observation Science (EOS) research group and the headquarters of the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO). We are an international hub for Earth observation research, using sophisticated instruments in space and in the atmosphere to understand some of today’s greatest challenges such as climate change and air pollution.
What's the difference?
- Our three-year BSc degrees provide an excellent route to a very wide range of careers in industry and business
- Our four-year MPhys degrees are aimed at students considering a career or further training in scientific research
Transfer between BSc and MPhys degrees is possible during your first and second years (subject to meeting the required end-of-year mark). It is also possible to transfer between different Physics degrees as long as you have taken the required number of options. Staff in the School will be available to offer help and advice.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: AAB including Physics and Maths. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. General Studies accepted.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction in Maths and Physics Level 3 modules. Plus grade B in Maths A-level.
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International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 32 points, including:
- 5 in HL Physics and 5 in HL Maths
- OR 6 in HL Physics and 6 in SL Maths 'Analysis and Approaches' (SL Maths 'Applications and Interpretation' not accepted)
- OR 6 in SL Physics and 6 in HL Maths
- HL Maths accepted within both 'Analysis and Approaches' and 'Applications and Interpretation'
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Science or Engineering Extended Diploma with DDM, and B at A-level Maths
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for Physics with Foundation Year BSc.
Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries ListFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2025
The tuition fees that will be payable by you to the University for the 2025/26 academic year will be £9,535
- £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX)
- Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,430 for that year
- Year in Industry: your fee will be £1,907 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2025
- £24,500 per year
- Year Abroad: £6,125 which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
- Year in Industry: £3,675 which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
In your third year you will have the option to do a ten-week group research project with one of our industrial partners such as Airbus Defence and Space, Jorin Ltd., Domino Printing or Weatherford International. You will gain invaluable project, budget and team management experience working in a professional environment on a real project.
You can gain first-hand experience of physics education through a final year mentoring scheme with physics teachers in local schools, working for half a day a week over one semester.
We offer a small number of Summer Research Placements: six weeks of paid employment working with the research groups within the School of Physics and Astronomy. These placements provide excellent experience if you want to go on to a career in academic or industrial research.
Our dedicated Careers Tutor can provide information, advice and guidance on the graduate job application process.
Graduate destinations
Recent graduate destinations include:
- Henry - Data Visualisation Lead, Office for National Statistics (graduated MPhys Physics with Astrophysics)
- Katie - Research Assistant at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (graduated MPhys Physics)
- Elizabeth - Product Analytics at Facebook, London (graduated BSc Physics)
- Jack - Cyber Security Engineer at KHIPU Networks (graduated BSc Physics with Astrophysics)
- Jasmine - PhD Student at UCL (graduated MPhys Physics)
- Lucy - Senior Clinical Trials Coordinator at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust (graduated BSc Physics)
- Saira - Plant Implementation Lead at Ford Motor Company (graduated BSc Physics)
Peter completed a degree in Physics with the University of Leicester and went onto a NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 3: Health and well-being
- Goal 4: Quality education
- Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
Core modules
- Mechanics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Mathematical Physics 1.1
- Light and Matter
- Waves and Quanta
- Mathematical Physics 1.2
- Physics Skills and Professional Development 1
- Experimental Physics 1
Option modules
This is the same as the first year of the BSc.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
Core modules
- Mathematical Physics 2
- Relativity, Quantum Physics and Particles
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Thermal and Statistical Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physics Skills and Professional Development 2
- Experimental Physics 2
Option modules
This is the same as the second year of the BSc.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)
If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in four years.
Year Abroad
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Year in Industry
An industrial placement is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a professional working environment, between your second and third years of study. By enhancing your degree with an industrial placement, you can make yourself a more attractive proposition to employers after you graduate.
You'll benefit from real-world experience in a commercial setting, enabling you to make an easier transition from studying to working after you finish your degree. You'll gain invaluable insight into a potential career path, as well as strengthening your CV significantly in preparation for entering the graduate labour market. On top of all this, you'll be paid a salary for your placement, which gives you greater financial flexibility as well as offsetting the cost of the extra year.
A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 3
Year 3
The third year modules for this new course are not yet decided.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 4
Year 4
The fourth year modules for this new course are not yet decided.
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester
We host an Earth Observation research group who are experts in collection, analysis and modelling of climate data, and have a strong international reputation in managing astronomical and space science databases.
Ranked 2nd in subjects aligned to Physics for ‘Organisation and management’ and ranked 4th in subjects aligned to Physics for ‘Student voice’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). View the NSS questions all students were asked for individual themes.
The academic staff in the School have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.
In your final year you will gain experience of scientific research by working with our staff on real physics research problems. Recent examples of projects include: black holes and the Higgs mechanism, analysis of Martian rocks, the evolution of planet-forming discs, and novel medical ultrasound techniques.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, lab sessions, seminars, workshop classes and project work. Training in scientific computing and programming is built into each degree.
A typical week for a first year physics student might consist of five hours of lectures, about two afternoons in laboratory or computing workshops (six hours), two hours of problem classes, four hours of workshops, and one hour in a small group tutorial session. This is a total of about 20 hours of contact time. You will also spend several hours a week on private study.
Assessment includes exams and course work (such as workshop and seminar problem classes). Lab work is primarily assessed in real time and project work is assessed through written reports and oral presentations.
You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether they be academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Attendance | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Physics with Climate Science MPhys | Qualification MPhys | Duration 4 years full-time | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code F331 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Physics with Climate Science MPhys with Year Abroad | Qualification MPhys | Duration 5 years full-time | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code F331 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Physics with Climate Science MPhys with Year in Industry | Qualification MPhys | Duration 5 years full-time | Attendance Full-time | UCAS Code F331 | Availability How to apply |
