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.

England
Physics is an 'enabling subject'. The IOP Future Physics Leaders scheme is funded by the DfE for schools in low participation areas.

Female participation
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.

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

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.

There were around 710 PhD Physics research degrees a year in 2009-10, 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.

Highest number of entries for Physics A-level

 * Hampshire 840
 * Kent 760
 * Hertfordshire 748
 * Surrey 626
 * Essex 506
 * Birmingham 505
 * Lancashire 488
 * Buckinghamshire 479

Publications

 * Physics Education by the IOP