Physics at uni – where?

[Changes17]

DS is in year 12 and wants to study physics at uni. Strong predicted grades for physics, maths, FM.

We're starting to think about open days. My question is: where would be a good place for someone to study physics who wants to be in a city, to not live at home (so not Bristol or Bath) and is potentially interested in going on to do a PhD and work in research? Probably more interested in theoretical than applied physics, has plumped for physics over maths because he enjoys both. Not that interested in Oxbridge at this stage. Thanks for any insights/experience.

I stand corrected. Sorry just repeated what I heard in secondary school when given advice about the options.

@Changes17 I can vouch for Lancaster. Daughter studies physics and is in 4th year. Support has been amazing for her . Shes done an internship in first year which was voluntary (she was very persistant to help) and second year was a paid one by the uni. She also wants phd and research and they helped with her application and she has got a phd in neutrino physics at Manchester uni in September. She too likes the theoretical side, and has done that with her masters project, although phds they do like you to do some physical work, which means her going to spain in the future to use the equipment there to detect neutrinos.
Lancaster is a smaller city and thats fine. its still got 3 night clubs and copious amount of bars. Lancaster uni is a fab uni and the physics dept has been great. Lancaster has a great reputation for physics and thats down to the staff there.
Particle physics is the route she went down and not many students choose that pathway. Out of 200 students in her year, around 20 do particle. So finding a phd in that field was less competative. Phd in particle also means she gets to do the 2 week summer school in high energy physics end of first year which is compulsory and around 100-120 students per year go. She also studies Cosmology as well as part of her studies as well as solid state physics, electrodynamics, gauge theories, flavor physics, computational physics plus many more over the 4 years there.

I think Lancaster has a huge amount going for it, OP, so I would take @sammyjoanne ’s post very seriously.

For a while I thought Bath was the hidden gem of UK HE. Well that cover is blown; it was The Time University of the Year 2023. Currently IMO the two hidden gems are Glasgow and Lancaster. They’re both known to be solid but, particularly in STEM, they are punching above their weight in recent years with excellent student satisfaction

Also research strength!

I have a DC studying another subject at Imperial.

Imperial has lots and lots of money and hands out cash to any students from families earning less than £60k (i think that is the figure). DC has been given £2k every year.