Study A Physics BSc | Imperial College London | Application and Entry Requirements - Imperial College London | Imperial College Acceptance Rate and Eligibility | How to Get Into Imperial College London | Application process | Study theoretical physics | Imperial College London
By Karen Nelson
Physics is one of the most competitive courses at Imperial College London. The application process is difficult because only one in every eight candidates receives an offer to study physics. An A level physics tutor online can help students prepare not only for their examinations but also for the complex and challenging application process.
This guide includes all the information you need to know, from entry requirements to advice on how to get ready from our expert Physics admissions tutors, if you’re thinking about applying for BSc Physics or are simply curious about what it takes to get into one of the best universities for Physics in the UK.
Our tutors who specialise in physics admissions have first-hand knowledge of the admissions procedure for postgraduate degrees and what is necessary to be successful at each stage. More than 90% of the students who work with us receive an offer from their top or second-choice university thanks to our professional assistance. Call our team right away to increase your chances of success with an A level physics tutor online.
What is the Physics course at Imperial College London like? Lots of Mathematics? Is now one of the most competitive courses at imperial?
Imperial College London is ranked as the third-best university in the UK for Physics (behind only Cambridge and Oxford). The Institute of Physics was handled by the Royal College of Science until it was absorbed by Imperial. Undergraduate Physics at Imperial covers a broad range of subject matter and is designed to give all students a solid grounding in Physics, Theoretical Physics, fundamental and applied physics, Mathematics, and experimental methods and prepare them for advanced study in later years.
Imperial’s Physics courses follow the same core curriculum for the first two years before allowing you to tailor the course to your interests as you enter your third year.
The topics covered in the first and second years include:
- Mathematics
- Mechanics
- Electromagnetism
- Quantum physics
- Relativity
- Optics
- Thermodynamics
Some of the areas you can choose to study in year three include:
- Astrophysics
- Medical imaging
- Plasma physics
- Cosmology
- Laser technology
- X-rays and ultrasound
- Nuclear diagnostics and MRI
What are the Year 1 entry requirements to get into Imperial College London for Physics (UCAS)?
Physics at Imperial College London is one of the most competitive courses with corresponding acceptance rates, so prospective students must excel academically and demonstrate exceptional potential. The prerequisites for Physics are displayed in the table below:
Qualification
Grades
Subject requirements
A Levels
A*A*A
A* in Mathematics
A*/A in Physics
A*/A in another subject (Further Mathematics is recommended, but not essential)
Chemistry, although not essential, is considered to be a useful third subject for developing knowledge and understanding of the course.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
40 points overall
7, 6, 6, including Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level.
Are you concerned that you won’t get the grades you need to study physics at Imperial College? Our IB and A-level tutors are professionally accredited and can be useful in helping you make the Imperial acceptance cut. We have a lot of experience assisting students in achieving the entrance grades for this demanding course by helping them do well on their final exams and coursework. Contact our team for assistance.
Which admissions test do you need for Physics at Imperial?
Applicants to Imperial’s Physics course who pass the initial screening round will be required to take an online admissions test. This test is administered by Imperial internally, so you don’t need to register for it before applying; however, strong preparation is required to achieve the best score possible.
Imperial’s Physics admissions test is based on school-level Physics and Mathematics content up to AS-level (or equivalent). It consists of 30 short multiple-choice questions and lasts for 1 hour.
Imperial’s Physics admissions test is unique to the university, and there are limited resources available to help you prepare. You can use Imperial’s sample questions and solutions in place of past papers and the admissions test guidance on the Department of Physics application page. However, we recommend you also work with a specialist tutor who has in-depth knowledge of Imperial’s specific Physics admissions test and the wider application process to maximise your chances.
What is the Imperial acceptance rate for Physics?
It takes a lot of effort to get into Imperial to study physics. Along with meeting the grade requirements in maths and physics(A*A*A or equivalent) and performing well on the admissions test, you must also shine in the interview. It’s critical to be ready for every step of the admissions process because, in 2021, Imperial made an offer of admission to only one of every eight applicants to Imperial’s Physics course.
More than 90% of students who work with our admissions tutors get into their first or second choice university, and we have successfully helped many students get into Imperial College London. We are up to date on all of Imperial’s requirements for outstanding physics candidates. To talk with a member of our team about how we can assist you, contact us right away.
What are the tuition fees for Physics Bsc at Imperial?
The table below shows the fees for Imperial’s Physics course for both home (UK) and overseas students:
Course fees (per year)
Home
£9,250
Overseas
£36,200
On Oxford’s fee status page, you can find more details about the fees you will need to pay. Use Oxford’s fee, funding, and scholarship search tool to see your available funding options.
4 students rated tips on how to get into Physics at Imperial
1. Prepare thoroughly for each stage of the admissions process.
There are many admissions stages to take into account when applying to study Physics at Imperial, and you should thoroughly prepare for each one.
- Your grades – the moment you begin studying for your A-levels, you should start preparing for your Physics application (or equivalent). You must achieve excellent grades in order to be considered for a position at Imperial, so you should aim for at least an A*A*A in your A-levels (or equivalent).
- Your UCAS application – Filling out your online UCAS application is the first step in the official application process for your Physics degree. This includes your personal statement in addition to your grades. This is the first opportunity you’ll have to demonstrate your suitability for Physics and convince Imperial that you are passionate about the subject matter.
- The admissions test – Imperial has its own Physics admissions test, and it is important that you prepare for this thoroughly. You can find helpful resources in the admissions test section above. However, we advise reaching out to one of our specialised admissions tutors for more tailored guidance and preparation support.
The interview –If your UCAS application and admissions test results are strong enough, Imperial may contact you to schedule an interview. Your final opportunity to impress the college and establish that you are a top student for the course is now. It’s critical to seek professional assistance to effectively prepare for admissions interviews because they are similar to oral admissions tests and frequently include a mark scheme that your interviewers will be grading you against.
2. Show your passion for Physics and Mathematics.
Although excellent grades and a great performance in your admissions test and interview are important, you’ll need to do more than that to stand out from the hundreds of other strong applicants. One way to do this is to demonstrate your passion for the subjects you’re going to be studying.
There are many ways you can show your passion for Physics and Mathematics in your personal statement and in your interview, including:
- Wider reading on particular topics, theories and academics – referencing topics and theories that you are particularly interested in in your personal statement is a great way to show that you have gone beyond the expected school-level Physics general studies and critical thinking skills. You might also research particular academics from Imperial’s Physics department to reference in your interview to show why Imperial is the right university for you.
- Getting work experience at a Physics-related company – this shows that you are motivated and dedicated to the subject area outside of a school setting. It also gives you real-life insights and experience of what a career in the sciences might involve and which skills are important to succeed.
- Relevant volunteering – there are many volunteering opportunities that will show your passion and aptitude for Maths, Physics, and related subjects. For example, you might volunteer to help older people with their computer skills or tutor young children in Maths or Science, both of which show your quantitative skills beyond the school curriculum.
- Participating in relevant competitions, clubs or challenges – we recommend showcasing your mathematical ability by participating in Maths competitions such as UK Maths Challenge, as this is a great way to help your application stand out and prove that your academic ability goes beyond the school setting.
3. Have a 5-year plan
Another factor that can set you apart from other applicants is having a 5-year plan. This doesn’t have to be a plan that you necessarily stick to; in fact, it is expected that your interests and ambitions will change as your knowledge and experience grow. Having a plan is simply a great way of demonstrating to Imperial that you are committed to the subject and that you are motivated to succeed at your degree.
The first step to having a plan is to develop an understanding of the industries a degree in Physics can lead to and the specific areas of Physics you can specialise in. For example, identifying that you are interested in astrophysics or the applications of nuclear diagnostics in the natural sciences can show that you are a forward-thinking candidate who is serious about getting a job after graduation. You can, of course, also state that you are interested in a PhD and becoming a researcher, backing up your career claims with some knowledge of your chosen field.
4. Seek help from an expert Physics admissions tutor
One of the most competitive courses at Imperial is physics, and to stand a chance of receiving an offer, you must perform well across a number of stages. Unfortunately, because of a lack of experience, knowledge, or resources, schools and colleges frequently aren’t prepared to offer specialised Physics application preparation. Therefore, we suggest hiring a qualified Physics admissions tutor to guide you through the procedure.
Our Physics admissions tutors have years of experience assisting students in building their academic profiles, customising their applications to Imperial’s admissions requirements, getting ready for the admissions exam, and performing well in the interview.
Many of our clients have been accepted to Imperial and other prestigious London universities. More than 90% of applicants who work with one of our tutors receive an offer from their first or second choice university. A deeper and broader understanding of the quantitative skills and scientific and mathematical knowledge required to study Physics at the degree level will also be acquired, as well as priceless independent study skills that will prepare you for study at a prestigious UK university. To begin, get in touch with our knowledgeable team right away.