Master of Physics (Hons) with Placement Year and Research Placement Year

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Make invisible social structures visible. Use social theory and research methods to identify and explore the processes and forces that shape our lives.

Through this degree, you'll study and learn to apply core social theory in practice. You’ll learn to understand the structure of today’s society, how it came about, and whether we could live differently.

This course will appeal if you want to gain an analytical and methodological foundation for the study of collective and individual behaviour.

You will not only expand your knowledge of British society but also compare it with other societies around the globe. You’ll gain practical research skills so you can investigate society in practice, in original ways, and in a variety of settings.

In your first year you'll learn how sociology can be used to think in new ways about our everyday life. You'll study classical social theory and qualitative and quantitative research skills. Through tutorials focused on developing key academic skills, you’ll learn how to evaluate data and information to develop your own arguments tailored to different audiences.

In your second year you'll study contemporary social theory and further expand your skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods. You will also choose from a range of optional units from various areas of sociology, social policy and social science more broadly.

You will also choose from a range of optional units from various areas of sociology, social policy and social science more broadly.

In your final year you’ll carry out a year-long dissertation and choose from optional units focusing on specialist areas in sociology.

Gain specialist knowledge in pure and applied mathematics with a particular focus on statistics.

Mathematics enables us to reason logically, to understand structure and formulate scientific principles. Statistics is the collection, analysis and interpretation of data central to everything from scientific progress to medical research and the work of government.

This course is for you if you would like to study statistics and have a significant interest in mathematics. You’ll be trained how to analyse problems and interpret patterns in data to make careful predictions about the future.

Learn about key approaches in applied maths and data science that can be integrated to solve real-world problems.

The cutting edge of the application of mathematics in industry combines modelling, analysis and interpretation using methods from applied mathematics and the rapidly growing area of data science. This course is for you if you're interested in applying maths, statistics and computer science to solve complex problems in industry.

Course highlights

• Study a wide range of taught units in applied maths techniques, mathematical modelling, data science, machine learning and scientific communication.
• Gain real-world experience from group projects with other students and the opportunity to work on a project with one of our industrial partners.
• Projects and modules benefit from our research specialisms, including industrial applied maths, probability, scientific computing, machine learning, dynamical systems, asymptotics, imaging, modelling of waves and fluids, and mathematical biology.

Working with industry

A key element of the course is the opportunity to work on a real project with one of our industry partners. This may include some time-based at an external company. Some of our current industry partners include the Met Office, Barclays, Emerson Roxar and Raytheon. Industry projects give direct experience of the problem-solving process, including:

• Identifying the problem and translating it into mathematical language
• Processing and analysing relevant data
• Solving the mathematical problem
• Communicating the results to the client

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge during a year working in industry. You’ll be employed full-time in a role to match your future career ambitions, broadening your experience and transferable skills. It may be possible to go on placement with the same company you've worked with for an industry project.

Prepare for an international career. Achieve fluency in your A-level language and pick up a new one. Deepen your knowledge and understanding of political and cultural issues.

Studying Modern Languages enables you to read, write and speak two foreign languages with proficiency, as well as understand the social, political, economic and cultural evolution of the principal countries in which these languages are spoken. This degree combines the study of two languages, one at advanced level and a second at either advanced level or at beginner (ab-initio) level.

You’ll gain a deep understanding of contemporary culture in these societies, providing you with a genuine international perspective. You will develop highly valuable work-related skills enabling you to conduct research and analysis with confidence. You’ll be able to communicate, debate and interact in your chosen languages at an advanced level.

You will have intensive language tuition in both languages throughout the course. Your ab initio language allows you to quickly learn the language in your first two years at Bath in order to achieve the ability to study abroad in the third year. Your advanced language will enable you to engage with cultural and political issues in the target language and achieve high levels of fluency.

You’ll gain skills in research, analysis, communication and argument, and experience direct exposure to the cultures you study.

Year abroad

A year abroad in your third year is an exciting part of the degree. On your year abroad you will spend time in the countries of your chosen languages, in Europe or beyond. You can choose to study at a foreign university, to work as a language assistant in a school abroad, or to undertake a work placement abroad. You also have the flexibility of a combination of any of these options.

Develop core knowledge of systems engineering across both mechanical and electrical engineering to boost your career prospects in industry.

Our course gives you a unique chance to balance an understanding of mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering sciences with a focus on systems engineering. You’ll develop a comprehensive knowledge of mechanics, materials, electrical and electronic systems and circuits. And you’ll explore the theory and practice of the latest mechanical and electrical technologies.

Being able to apply what you’ve learnt is an important part of your study at Bath. You’ll use theory in coordinated projects and laboratory work where you’ll design and develop products and systems.

Learn practical and theoretical skills across all areas of chemistry, ready to tackle major challenges in a range of careers.

From addressing climate change, to developing new pharmaceuticals or tackling food security, chemistry is vital in modern day society.

This course has the broadest range of subjects of all our chemistry courses. In the first two years, you’ll study an introduction to all areas of chemistry, gaining the practical and theoretical skills needed to design experiments and test hypotheses. This includes understanding the theories of chemical behaviour and how they're applied.

Gain a solid grounding in core management areas. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed to open career opportunities in accounting, finance and a range of other sectors.

Accounting and finance professionals are important to almost all functions of business. Learn to use your numerical abilities in a practical way.

Placement Year

Apply your skills and knowledge in a practical business environment with a placement year. Placements are real jobs and usually paid. You will gain a distinct advantage in the graduate job market with this valuable experience.

The average UK salary of an accounting and finance placement student in 2019 was £21,660. The highest salary was £50,000. Recent employers include Goldman Sachs, UBS and PwC.

The average salary is based on data provided to us by all 64 students who went on placement in the UK in 2019.

Design, operate and build electronic systems for the space environment. Gain the engineering skills needed for a career in the space industry.

Our course takes you beyond the conventional engineering difficulties of designing equipment for use on Earth’s surface. Instead, you’ll develop the skills needed to design and build systems and platforms for the hostile environment of space.

Your first two years develop your understanding of electrical engineering science before specialising in electronics and communications technologies with elements of space and planetary science. Your learning will be supported by the latest theory and practice in spacecraft engineering, space electronics, Earth observation, the space environment and weather.

Our MEng degrees give you an in-depth study experience through advanced taught units and project work and fulfil the educational requirements you need to become a Chartered Engineer.

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the chance to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. Having professional experience can benefit the rest of your degree as well as improve your career prospects. It can also be an opportunity to earn a salary during your degree.

Our students have worked at companies including Intel, Jaguar Land Rover, Thales, Renishaw, Nordic Semiconductor, Siemens, Ultra Electronics, Surrey Satellite Technology and McLaren.

Make sense of issues underpinning contemporary global challenges such as the impact of climate change and international inequalities.

On this degree you’ll combine the study of politics with an engagement in economic theory and practice. It will appeal if you’re interested in issues of global power, decision-making, democracy and inequality.

You’ll cover topics such as international politics, political ideologies and economic thought. You will explore a range of contemporary economic and political challenges facing national and international society, such as terrorism and climate change.

In your first year you'll focus on concepts and theories relating to both politics and international relations. You'll study economic theory and methodology, and explore contemporary political and economic systems.

In your second year you'll advance your knowledge in political and economic theory. You can focus your studies through optional units covering areas from global responses to international environmental crises, to the nature of UK Parliamentary politics. You'll also develop your skills in research design and methods.

You’ll carry out a year-long dissertation and select optional units relating to your interests in politics and economics, with themes such as financialisation, inter-state relations, and gender politics.

Placement Year

The placement year is an opportunity for you to use the theory you have learnt in a practical context. You will learn about an organization and its area of work. This is an excellent opportunity to test potential career paths. Sometimes permanent jobs are offered to our students.

You’ll develop skills such as teamwork, planning, problem-solving, decision making and project management. Employers value a year of professional work and you’ll gain an advantage in the job market.

Over the years we have built contacts with a large number of organizations that can provide the high standard of training we expect.

Explore issues facing us in the 21st century relating to crime and criminal justice. Develop research and data handling skills relevant to a range of careers.

This degree has a strong global focus. You’ll explore crime and related topics from around the world, including human rights and terrorism, social justice, contemporary social problems, and the globalisation of crime.

You’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of how the various components of the criminal justice system work, from the police through to prison and probation. As well as a strong theoretical grounding, the course is designed to equip you with practical skills in critical enquiry, research and data generation.

Studying at Bath means you’ll get to work with a leading team of criminal justice researchers and criminologists, with significant global expertise. There’s also the chance to hone your skills further by doing a placement year in a relevant setting.

Placement Year

The placement year will give you valuable practical experience and is an excellent opportunity to try different careers. It enables you to leave university with a strong CV and may set you apart from other graduates entering the job market. You can take placements in commercial, voluntary or government organisations, or in a research setting.