Gateway to Physics and Engineering

Gateway to Physics and Engineering at St Andrews and Heriot-Watt Universities

Staff-student discussion We have launched an innovative programme to provide a new opportunity for entry to physics and/or engineering at St Andrews and Heriot-Watt Universities. This is a gateway to both physics and engineering, and it is a gateway to progression to second-year in our existing degree programmes for talented school leavers who will benefit from the additional opportunties provided to assist their first year study.

Demand for the existing programmes is so high that our asking rates have had to rise to a level that means that even very talented pupils in many parts of the country may find it difficult to gain entry (eg AAAA has been the published typical asking rate at Higher for entry to the traditional physics and astronomy programmes at St Andrews for the last few years). To address this issue, we now offer a “Gateway” programme that will provide a highly-interactive first year university education in physics, maths and study skills for suitably qualified students. At the end of first year this will open up progression to second-year in degree programme possibilities at either institution. These can range from “pure” theoretical physics to “applied” electronic engineering as appropriate.

Features

Aimed particularly at talented school leavers
a) in Scotland with expected four Highers including maths and physics of at least grade B, and
b) as international applicants with appropriate qualifications
Recognition of the disadvantage faced by portions of the school population
Recognition of the benefit that may come from special additional learning / skill development for some students from overseas, and students in particular circumstances in the UK
Highly supported first year taught at the University of St Andrews, with input also from Heriot-Watt University staff
30-40 contact hours per week
About half the academic credits in the Gateway entry year come from existing St Andrews physics and mathematics modules, half from specially designed new modules
The time for the new modules comes from reducing the subject spread that is often part of the traditional first year of an ancient Scottish University
Students are integrated with other first year students, but with additional learning opportunities
At the end of a successful “Gateway” first year students choose which University to progress to at second year.
Progression to St Andrews degree programmes at level two from the Gateway first year requires a mean grade of 11 on the St Andrews 20 point scale, and no module at less than grade 7.
Progression to Heriot-Watt based degree programmes at level two subject to standard Heriot-Watt progression rules (broadly, passing all the modules at grade 7 or above).
Wide-ranging choice for degree programme including theoretical physics, physics, astrophysics, engineering physics, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and more, dependent on level-one grades
Registration for the “Gateway” first year as students at the University of St Andrews and with recognition of the link with Heriot-Watt University.
Applications can be made to St Andrews University via UCAS
Entrance bursaries of up to £4000 from the University of St Andrews may be applied for by those with particular financial need

Programme Structure

Year or level	Heriot-Watt Engineering	Heriot-Watt Physics	Gateway Route	St Andrews Physics	St Andrews Alternative
One	Heriot-Watt level one modules	Heriot-Watt level one modules	Physics and Engineering Gateway Year at St Andrews Physics 1A Physics 1B Gateway Maths for Physicists Maths 1002 Gateway Physics Skills 1A Gateway Physics Skills 1B	St Andrews Physics 1A Physics 1B Maths 1001 Maths 1002 Two others	St Andrews Physics 1A Physics 1B Maths 1001 Maths 1002 Two others
Two	Heriot-Watt Physics, Maths, Engineering, etc	Heriot-Watt Physics, Maths, etc	<<< === >>> Progression from Gateway entry year to student choice of degree programme, dependent on level one grades.	St Andrews Physics and Maths etc	St Andrews Physics and Maths etc
Three	Heriot-Watt level three programme	Heriot-Watt level three programme	.	St Andrews Physics or Theoretical Physics	St Andrews Maths or Maths & Physics
Four to BSc or BEng (Hons)	Heriot-Watt Engineering	Heriot-Watt Physics	.	St Andrews Physics or Theoretical Physics	St Andrews Maths or Maths & Physics
Five to MPhys or MEng (Hons)	Heriot-Watt Engineering	Heriot-Watt Physics	.	St Andrews Physics or Theoretical Physics	St Andrews Maths or Maths & Theoretical Physics

Note: St Andrews Maths 1001 may be bypassed for students with sufficiently good prior qualifications.

The Gateway programme runs for the first time in 2010-11, and is being piloted initially for three years.

Applications

Potential students are advised to apply to the University of St Andrews through UCAS to course code FH31 for BSc and FH3C for MPhys.

An admissions decision will be made by the University of St Andrews with consulation with Heriot-Watt, depending on academic record and personal circumstances. As always, the decision will be based on a judgement of potential to succeed and excel academically on the programme, with note being taken of the background of the applicant. Successful applicants will formally be admitted to the University of St Andrews, but will have input from Heriot-Watt teaching staff in the Gateway year. Dependent on success in level one students have the option to progress to the appropriate level two programmes in either university.

Links to further information

Informal enquiries please to physics@st-andrews.ac.uk or

Dr Bruce Sinclair, Director of Teaching, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9SS. 01334 463103
Dr Graham Crowder, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Physics), School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS. 0131 451 3051

last updated BDS 8.9.10