Direct entry to second year Physics BSc (Hons) 2025 entry

It is possible for students applying for the Physics BSc single Honours degree to enter directly into the second year of study, meaning it is possible to complete the degree in only three years instead of four.

This option is offered to students with excellent Advanced Higher, A-Level or International Baccalaureate qualifications.

Students who enter directly to second year will take modules required by the Physics BSc programme from second year on, bypassing some or all first-year modules.

Direct entry students will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad during their second of study.

To find out more information, or to discuss the possibility of direct entry to second year, please contact the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Joint degree options

Direct entry into second year is also possible for the following joint Honours degrees:

In taking a joint degree, you are required to take core modules in all of your subjects. Find out more about joint degrees.

The course information below is for single Honours direct entry only. For more information about direct entry to joint degrees, please contact Admissions at admissions@st-andrews.ac.uk.

UCAS code
F301
Start date
September 2025
End date
September 2028
Duration
Three years full time
School
School of Physics and Astronomy

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

  • Advanced Highers:
    AA, including Physics and Mathematics.
    Highers:
    AAAA

  • Standard entry grades:
    AAA, including Physics and Mathematics.

  • Standard entry grades:
    38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in Physics and Mathematics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

  • SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing science
    • Geography
    • Applications of Mathematics
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

  • GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Computing Science
    • Geography
    • Mathematics
    • Physics
    • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Students must have studied Physics and Mathematics at SQA Highers and Advanced Highers, GCE A-Levels, or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated requirements.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.

Careers

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 3111
Email
physics@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address
School of Physics and Astronomy
North Haugh
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
KY16 9SS

School of Physics and Astronomy website