Study physics abroad
An in-depth guide to studying physics as an international student.
Physics degrees abroad
Physics is one of the most fundamental sciences, and is sometimes referred to as ‘the science of everything’. By studying a physics degree abroad, you’ll learn about matter, energy and how they interact, and how concepts like quantum physics and relatively help us understand the world around us.
The principles of physics have driven many of the latest technological advances like the current digital revolution and quantum computing. As a physics graduate not only will you learn about the structure of physical laws, but also take part in their further discovery and join the likes of Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Steven Hawking.
Physics is a popular subject for international students because it means having the opportunity to study the best programs the world has to offer. The best universities are hard to get into, and you’ll usually need strong academic grades in science subjects and maths.
Physics program structure
You can study physics abroad at any degree level including bachelor's, master’s and doctorate. At the undergraduate level, you can study a BSc in physics over three or four years. Alternatively, you can study an MSci or MPhys, which lets you add an extra year to your bachelor’s program to convert it to a master’s. You can usually choose to do this after the first year.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a related subject, you can study a taught or research master’s in physics as an MSc or MPhil over one or two years. If you want to earn a doctorate, you can study a PhD in physics, which can take up to six years to complete.
How you’ll learn on a physics program will vary from module to module. Some will be lecture and seminar-based, and others will be more practical with laboratory sessions and group work. Most modules will assess you through a combination of exams, essays and reports, and you will usually have a dissertation to complete in your final year of a bachelor’s program.
Physics is a diverse and wide ranging subject that covers a huge number of subjects. Therefore the program content and structure of each program will differ from university to university. Here are some of the subjects and modules most physics bachelor’s programs will cover:
- Quantum physics
- Mathematics for physicists
- Electromagnetism
- Relativity and astrophysics
- Mechanics
- Waves and optics
- Practical physics
- Thermal physics
Types of physics degrees
How to study physics abroad
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Physics study abroad programs
Physics undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in physics
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Physics - BA Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,736 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Physics - BA/BSc Greenville University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 27,580 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Secondary Education (Physics) (West Campus) - BAEd Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 29,834 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Physics and Astrophysics - BSc University of Birmingham, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 22,260 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Engineering Physics - BSc University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 29,800 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
Associate in physics
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Physics - ASc Santiago Canyon College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 8,304 USD
- Start date
- February, June, August
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Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics & Science (Physics) - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 6,892 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Physics - ASc Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 28,992 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Physics - ASc Southwestern Oregon Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 10,791 USD
- Start date
- September, January, March, June
Physics graduate programs
Master's in physics
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Physical and Chemical Sciences: Materials Physics - MSc University of Turku, Finland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 12,000 EUR
- Start date
- January
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Physics - MNS Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,318 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology - MSci University of Birmingham, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 22,260 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences - MSc University of Helsinki, Finland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,000 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Medical Physics - by coursework - MSc RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 36,480 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
Doctorate in physics
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Atmospheric Physics - PhD University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 22,896 USD
- Start date
- August
-
Physics - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 8,800 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
-
Physics - PhD Clark University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,616 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Physics - PhD Koç University, Turkey
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- -
- Start date
- January, August
-
Physics - PhD Florida A&M University, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,669 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Certificate in physics
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Secondary Science with Physics - GradCert London Metropolitan University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 12,700 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Secondary Science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology) - PGCert Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 13,300 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Future physics careers
Physics is an ideal subject to study if you want to start a career in science and scientific research. A physics degree will also give you a variety of transferable skills that can open doors in a wide range of sectors, including IT, business, finance and engineering.
Some of the most popular job roles for physics graduates include:
- Clinical scientist
- Astronomer
- Geophysicist
- Meteorologist
- Researcher
- Science teacher
- Systems analyst
There are a number of other roles you could pursue which may require some additional training, like accountancy or engineering.
To help you make the most of your degree, take advantage of the university’s career services who can help you work out what your options are.
