Physics and Astronomy (International Year One) 2026 entry

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

• Semester 1

  • Physics 1A: covers the core subjects of mechanics, waves and optics, and also provides an overview of the physical properties of matter. You will study  Newton's laws, work and energy, simple harmonic motion, the different types of wave motion, geometrical and wave optics, and the nature and composition of nuclei, atoms, molecules and solids, and their interactions. Relevant laboratory work is an important part of the module.
  • Mathematics A: introduces you to key concepts and methods that will be required for further study in mathematics and other sciences. It will reinforce your skills in common techniques and will explore a range of fundamental topics. You will be introduced to complex numbers, hyperbolic functions and differential equations and should become competent at evaluating common integrals, plotting various functions and solving a range of complex equations.
  • Communicating in Academic Contexts 1: helps you develop and practise productive and receptive academic spoken communication skills to use within the International Foundation programme and in your undergraduate programme. 
  • Research and Writing for Science A: explores a range of academic functions, including features of academic style and organisation, academic grammar and vocabulary. You will learn how to evaluate the reliability of a variety of published texts and develop your own academic voice. The aim is to improve your overall academic literacy but with a focus on the texts you need to write for science.

• Semester 2

  • Physics 1B: explores quantum mechanics, the mechanics of rotation and gravity and an introduction to lasers. You will study the origins of quantum theory, its application to atoms and other small-scale systems, the principles of lasers, and some aspects of optical communication. Relevant laboratory work is an important part of the module.
  • Mathematics B: following on from Mathematics A in the first semester, this module will cover matrices, limits, vectors, and sequences and series. The module will also introduce the important concept of mathematical proof.    
  • Communicating in Academic Contexts 2: helps you to further develop and practise productive and receptive academic oral communication skills that you will need in your degree programme.
  • Research and Writing for Science B: further develops the skills introduced in Research and Writing Skills for Science A in Semester 1. You will be working on more extended research skills using references and using them to support arguments in science.

• Teaching and assessment

  Your classes take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. In a typical week you will spend around 16 hours a week on your focused learning activities like live lectures, seminars and tutorials. To ensure our students are getting tailored support, we schedule seminar classes with groups of no more than 16 students.  

  You will also be expected to complete around 25 hours of independent study each week to achieve your academic goals.  

  Assessment 

  Each module will have a range of assessments with regular feedback from our teaching team. These assessments may include: 

  • academic essays 
  • exams (in-person or online) 
  • tests 
  • speaking and listening exam 
  • integrated skills exams 
  • leading and participating in seminars 
  • presentations  
  • lab and practical or field trip reports 
  • research projects 

  The grade from each module contributes to the final programme grade. Each module handbook will include information on assessments.