Any thoughts on best universities for physics?

[Pumpkintopf]

Help! DS wants to apply to Cambridge for natural sciences but his other choices will be for physics. He's not sure on where to start looking- have had a quick look at the various league tables but I know they don't always tell the full story so am hoping the wisdom of mumsnet will help...

(Mumsnet has now acquired totemic importance for DS too as lovely posters have previously helped with generous advice as he tried to decide what to study)

DS is about to start this course. His other four choices were straight physics courses. His other offers included Warwick and Birmingham. There are also plenty of other physics courses with a good reputation e.g Manchester and Imperial that he didn't apply to for geographical or lifestyle reasons. Does your son want to study at a campus university or one spread across a big city?

Ironoaks how exciting- huge congratulations to your ds!

I asked DS today on city vs campus etc - he really isn't sure, I think he'd be swayed more by the course but really has his heart set on Cambridge which I know isn't wise. I guess he should also look at Durham as the only other place that offers Nat sci.

Any advice from your DS on the admissions process?

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

DS is studying Physics at Oxford. His other UCAS choices were Imperial, Durham, Bristol and Birmingham if I remember correctly.

He spent a lot of time looking at league tables. Oxford, Imperial and Durham were straight forward but there was a lot of variation with the others.

Manchester and Liverpool are both good for science, think Liverpool for chem and biology, Manchester for physics (and engineering?)

Lancaster I believe is supposed to be rather good for physics.

Thanks both will have a look at those

Posted too soon. A friend studied at Lancaster and said it was good. Someone else I know also said Manchester.

@ThatDamnScientist

Lancaster I believe is supposed to be rather good for physics.

Pretty sure Lancaster also does Nat Science, but yes, it has a good reputation for Physics.

Imperial's the one I think of when someone says "Physics".

Imperial tends to be considered the best or used to be.

I went to Manchester and it was good but I've got nothing to compare it to!

Oh interesting didn't know about Lancaster! Will have a look. Thanks

Imperial was one he was considering when he was thinking about medicine - London though so I'm guessing accommodation and student housing either far flung or horrendously expensive?

There's a good range of student accommodation in London.

You dp have to apply by the deadline though.

do

I guess he should also look at Durham as the only other place that offers Nat sci.

I thought quite a lot of unis do now?

www.whatuni.com/degree-courses/search?subject=natural-sciences

Durham as the only other place that offers Nat sci.

Lancaster definitely offers NatSci (friend's DD just graduated), with a very flexible programme.

I've no idea what anywhere other than Cambridge is like for Nat sci, btw, just that they do exist. I'd want to check employability metrics versus straight physics for sure.

Is he applying to Natural Sciences at Cambridge to basically be a physicist or because he likes the idea of doing some chemistry or material sciences or even biology at least in the first year?

If the latter he should focus on natural sciences degrees. Imperial of course does n’t do natural sciences but does offer some interesting degree choices worth looking at such as www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/bioengineering-department/biomedical-engineering-meng/
For pure physics I would say Imperial, Manchester as other top two outside Oxbridge.
For natural sciences as well as Durham, consider UCL.
Lancaster is a strong choice for either.

York do Natural Science too.

Manchester is excellent for Physics. Prof Brian Cox lectures there, which is a big draw for many.

I read Nat Sci at Durham. I think Cambridge is the only course where you start off Nat Sci and can end up with a degree in a single subject. Durham you can do a dual honours or a more general Nat Sci (which I did).

Sunday Times do a league table for subjects that would be his best starting point.

I'm assuming predicted grades are mostly a*? Advice is always to pick a range of likely offers so obviously Cambridge is extremely high, pick another top grade option, a couple the next tier down then a final one in the abb region for a high performing student just in case the predictions aren't as high as expected. My dd, and dp's dd were both predicted straight A's but in reality it was b's and c's so having a range of offers helps in case they are struggling towards the time they make their decision in May

I can't speak for the OP's son, but my DS applied for the Cambridge natural sciences course because it's the only one where there's the opportunity to try other sciences, but also keep the option of becoming a physicist. The other natural sciences courses mentioned here are not structured in the same way and do not have IoP accreditation.

For physics, Imperial, Manchester and Birmingham were on my DC’s list admittedly a few years ago.

Ironoaks and sendsummer - yes he quite likes the idea of being able to 'try' some different sciences that he wouldn't have come across much at school so eg materials science- then specialise down as the course progresses. I didn't know about an IoP accreditation so that's a useful extra thing to look at definitely. Thank you.

I'd look at as much as the student data as possible. What degree classifications are awarded, what the drop out rate is, how many students stay on for masters/PhDs etc, etc . Also I'd have a careful
Look at student numbers. Some departments are increasing student numbers to a point where it impacts the course a lot. Also look at labs and equipment.
One of my DC did comp sci and the difference in departments when your sally looked at the equipment and facilities was marked. Not sure if that's as relevant to physics or not.
I'd also really look at year in industry links if your DS thinks he might be interested.