1. Physics, Material Science and Engineering Science at Oxford
What is physics?

2. Undergraduate courses
“An unmatched opportunity to be tutored by the leading experts in your field” (Deyan, student)

3. The courses Degree courses: 4 years Joint course: 4 years
MPhys: Physics
MEng: Material Science
MEng: Engineering
Joint course: 4 years
MMathsPhys: Maths & Phys years
MPhysPhil: Physics & Philosophy 4 years
Courses interchangeable until start of 3rd year (therefore it is best to apply for the 4 year course)
Typically 2 permanent academics per college
Tutorials - daily contact with leaders in their field
Each college admits around 6 Physics students per year
Typically two tutorials per week, with one other student
All lectures and practical work is carried out in the
Physics Department
% of BA and MPhys
A broad curriculum which covers all areas of physics.
Accredited by IoP
Mathematically grounded
Choice and specialism

4. A day in the life of… 9-12am: Lectures 12-1pm: Lunch
1-3pm: Self study – work for a tutorial, revision, reading
3-4pm: Tutorial or small class
4-6pm: Self study
6-7pm: Sport or society
7-8pm: Dinner
8pm until late: Social activities
Alternative day: Undergraduate labs
Lectures
Lectures; subject content (difference in amount of lectures between subjects. Talk about the content (so reflects core rubric of syllabus)) – building blocks, relevant, ground-breaking
Tutorials and classes
Tutorials and classes (importance of tutorials in daily academic life - Give examples of what a tutorial might include – interactive discussion of essays, problems or assignments set in previous tutorial – developing ideas, problem solving and arguments
Laboratory work, fieldwork, projects and essays
Laboratory work and fieldwork (Division of time for science students to spend doing lab work – two ½ days a week) – relevant to industry and research. Fieldwork - Examples from geography and biological sciences etc.
Experienced tutors
Experienced Tutors – teaching and developing skills
Independent learning
Independent learning - further reading.
Assessment
Assessment – testing ability and progress milestones
Extensive resources
Extensive resources (Chance to elaborate on the very extensive intellectual and material resources at a student’s disposal in Oxford.
E.g. 2 billion pounds of scientific equipment, 100 libraries, 11 million books plus other fun facts of your own!)
– access to books, computing, academics, lab equipment, interesting projects

5. Lectures Practical work
The Department
and Colleges
There are 30 undergraduate colleges
The college to which you apply is not necessarily where you will end up
College
Tutorials
Classes
Accommodation
Department
Lectures Practical work
If you apply to a college that doesn’t offer your chosen course, your application will fail immediately. (This cannot happen with an Open application)
As your college will offer you your “home” for 4 years, you might prefer to choose one you would really like to live in. ( e.g. old/new, big/small, noisy/quiet, central/outlying)
Don’t try to choose by “academic excellence”, as most teaching is done centrally and you may even have tutorials at another college if that is where the subject expert for that topic is based.

6. Admissions
Information specific to admissions for Physics and Materials Science at Oxford

7. Admissions process ~1400 UCAS application By 15 October 2018
Everyone gets the grades
We are not too concerned about your forth A-level – quality over quantity!
FP1 Further Pure Mathematics Further Pure
FP2 Further Pure Mathematics
FP3 Further Pure Mathematics

8. Other qualifications are also welcome
Admissions process
UCAS application
By 15 October 2018
~1400
A* A A
Physics and Maths
Everyone gets the grades
We are not too concerned about your forth A-level – quality over quantity!
FP1 Further Pure Mathematics Further Pure
FP2 Further Pure Mathematics
FP3 Further Pure Mathematics
Other qualifications are also welcome

9. Admissions process ~1400 ~500 UCAS application By 15 October 2018
Physics Aptitude Test
31 October 2018
~500
The continued strong interest in the PHYS2 scheme for Materials means that this will be offered again for this year, despite the increasing numbers of students applying directly to Materials Science. The requirements for selection for interview are demanding and students must have demonstrated an interest in Materials, or Materials-related aspects of Physics, in their UCAS application.
The application deadline:
All candidates must do an aptitude test in Physics and Maths (the PAT).
Interviews occur around the second week in December.

10. Admissions process ~1400 ~500 ~200 UCAS application By 15 October 2018
Physics Aptitude Test
31 October 2018
~500
Interviews (3-5)
December 2018
The continued strong interest in the PHYS2 scheme for Materials means that this will be offered again for this year, despite the increasing numbers of students applying directly to Materials Science. The requirements for selection for interview are demanding and students must have demonstrated an interest in Materials, or Materials-related aspects of Physics, in their UCAS application.
The application deadline:
All candidates must do an aptitude test in Physics and Maths (the PAT).
Interviews occur around the second week in December.
~200

11. Admissions process ~1400 ~500 ~200 UCAS application By 15 October 2018
Physics Aptitude Test
31 October 2018
~500
Interviews (3-5)
December 2018
The continued strong interest in the PHYS2 scheme for Materials means that this will be offered again for this year, despite the increasing numbers of students applying directly to Materials Science. The requirements for selection for interview are demanding and students must have demonstrated an interest in Materials, or Materials-related aspects of Physics, in their UCAS application.
The application deadline:
All candidates must do an aptitude test in Physics and Maths (the PAT).
Interviews occur around the second week in December.
~200
Exam results
July 2019

12. What tutors are looking for?
Motivation, knowledge and skills
UCAS application
Personal statement
School reference
Academic record e.g.:
GCSE results
AS results
A2 predicted results
Physics Admission Test
Performance in test
Interviews
Problem solving skills
Independent thinking
A genuine interest and commitment to your chosen subject
Your potential and motivation to do well at Oxford!
Apply – what is the worst that can happen: End up at another world class university studying physics.
Selected on your ability and skills – our students deserve to be there – or with materials slide
Fresh in mind – why you want to study the course, what you enjoy/interest you in UCAS
Reading outside of the curriculum – more broadly, widen your knowledge and thinking