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Physics education in the United Kingdom

Physics education in the United Kingdom is mostly carried out from the ages of 16 to 18 at secondary schools, or sixth forms, and to a higher level across the Physics departments at British universities.

Secondary schools

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England, Wales and Northern Ireland

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At GCSE level, students can choose to study physics either as a whole subject separate from biology and chemistry (referred to as "triple science") or as part of a so-called "combined science" course, in which all three sciences are sandwiched into a single qualification worth two GCSEs. At GCSE, students are taught the basics of a broad range of physical concepts including energy, waves, Newtonian mechanics, electricity, thermal physics and nuclear physics among others. There is also a practical element (known as "required practicals"), which is conducted in the classroom and then assessed via questions in the final exam papers. Because of this, it is theoretically possible for students to pass the GCSE required practical element without doing a single experiment.[1]

Students wishing to continue to study physics after their GCSEs may then choose to study the subject as an A-level qualification (lasting two years) or an AS-level (lasting one year). A-level physics also includes required practicals, but unlike at GCSE, these are assessed in-class by teachers. Students who pass are given "practical accreditation", which some universities require before allowing a student onto certain science courses. There are still questions in the final exams regarding practical technique, but answering these questions correctly does not contribute to practical accreditation. Much of the content of A-level physics is elaborating (albeit quite extensively) on topics covered at GCSE, with the addition of units not present in the GCSE course, such as particle physics.[2] Despite containing significantly less mathematical rigour nowadays than in the past, physics is still widely regarded as the most demanding A-level course available, and is one of the least popular subjects in proportion to its availability. There is some concern that not enough 17- to 18-year-olds are leaving school with A-level physics to meet the demands of the modern job market.[3]

In England, physics is an 'enabling subject'. The IOP Future Physics Leaders scheme is funded by the DfE for schools in low participation areas.[4] (See also: science education in England.)

Scotland

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In Scotland, Highers and Advanced Highers replace GCSEs and A-levels respectively. The content of the qualifications is fairly similar. Since Scottish post-16 school students finish school a year earlier than their counterparts in the rest of the UK, the content of the first year of the physics degrees offered at most Scottish universities is similar to the second year of A-level physics.[5]

Female participation

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At 16, Physics is the second most popular subject for boys, but the 18th most popular for girls. 2% of females, and 6.5% of males choose Physics at A-level.[6]

University

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Most university physics courses in the UK have their content moderated by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and are referred to as being "IOP-accredited". The aim of this is to ensure that all physics students graduate with the knowledge and skills required to work as a professional physicist.[7] Physics can be studied as a 3-year Bachelor of Science degree (4 years in Scotland) or as an integrated Master's degree, in which students who pass the first 3 or 4 years then take a final "master's year" without having to apply again for any Master's courses. Alternatively, students who initially apply to study BSc Physics can apply to study for a master's degree when they graduate.

47 universities offer Physics courses accredited by the IoP.[8] Scottish universities have four-year BSc undergraduate courses or five-year MPhys/MSci undergraduate courses with integrated masters.[9]

Of those with Physics A-level, around 3,000 take Physics on an undergraduate course, followed by Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics, both just under 3,000; next is Civil Engineering, just over 1500.[10]

There were around 710 PhD Physics research degrees a year in 2009-10,[10][dead link‍] with the researchers being 435 from the UK, 110 from the EU, and 135 from overseas; 165 were female (around 20%).

After university, around 55% do a further degree, and 1.7% start a PGCE; 25% go into the private sector.[10][dead link‍]

Results by LEA in England

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Highest number of entries for Physics A-level

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  • Hampshire 840
  • Kent 760
  • Hertfordshire 748
  • Surrey 626
  • Essex 506
  • Birmingham 505
  • Lancashire 488
  • Buckinghamshire 479[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "AQA Subjects". Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  2. ^ "AQA AS and A-level Physics". Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Oxford Summer Courses: Top 15 Hardest A-level Subjects, Ranked". 15 February 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  4. ^ IOP May 2018 report
  5. ^ "University of Edinburgh, degree programme table: Physics (BSc Hons)". Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  6. ^ Why not physics? IOP May 2018, data is for 2016
  7. ^ "Degree accreditation and recognition, Institute of Physics". Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  8. ^ "Degree accreditation and recognition". Institute of Physics. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Going to university in Scotland". Target Careers. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "Statistical Report: Physics Students in UK Higher Education Institutions". www.iop.org. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  11. ^ SFR 2016
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