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This four-year degree is delivered by the Department of Physics in conjunction with the Strathclyde Institute of Education. It's been created to provide graduates with a strong technical background and a teaching qualification, helping to reduce the national shortage of physics teachers.

Year 1
All classes are compulsory and you'll study the foundations of physics. Classes will cover mathematics, mechanics and waves, electromagnetism and quantum physics. You'll undertake practical work in the teaching laboratory. In addition to this, you'll also be introduced to the programming language Python and start to learn the basis of computational physics.

Year 2
All classes are compulsory and will increase your understanding of physics and mathematics topics developed in first year. You'll extend your knowledge of scientific computing and the laboratory work becomes more sophisticated, recognising your growing maturity as a physicist.

Year 3
In addition to extending your study of quantum physics and electromagnetism you will be introduced to new topics centred on solid state physics, and gases and liquids and the fundamentals of thermodynamics. All students undertake some laboratory work in Year 3, aimed at further developing your laboratory skills. You can also choose from optional modules that are designed to enhance your communication skills, mathematical physics techniques, or computational skills.

Year 4
In this year you will take classes that develop the pedagogy of teaching.

Alongside these classes, a major part of year 4 in The Strathclyde Institute of Education is school placements in Scottish secondary schools. There are 18 weeks of placement in total with one placement in each semester of the programme.

Entry Requirements

2027 entry requirements

Standard entry:
4 or 5 Highers at AABB or ABBBB including Maths and Physics at B and English.

Widening access entry:
4 Highers at BBBB including Maths and Physics at B and English.

A Foundation Apprenticeship is accepted in place of a non-essential Higher.