Employability

A degree in Physics will prepare you for such career destinations as a scientific laboratory technician, medical physicist, radiation protection practitioner, research scientist and more.

Other career paths may include systems developer, product development scientist, technical author or meteorologist. Further study at postgraduate level will open doors into research, lecturing and teaching.

Some of our courses are available with an integrated year in industry, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a relevant sector and apply the theory you have learned on your course to practical situations and projects. Completion of your placement will equip you with a demonstrable range of experiential and technical skills, which will make you more attractive to employers on graduation.

Transferable Skills

Studying for a degree in Physics will equip you with a range of transferable skills which are highly valued by employers. These include:

Research and data analysis skills
Enhanced mathematical and computational skills
Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
Facility to deal with abstract concepts
Thorough grounding in information technology skills
Ability to work independently
Time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
Ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
Self-motivation and self-reliance
Team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching agreement.

Year in Employment Scheme (YES)

The University operates a Year in Employment Scheme (YES), which offers you a fantastic opportunity to take a year out between your second and third year to work in an organisation in the UK or overseas. YES provides a very rewarding and worthwhile experience, both personally and professionally, and can help you to stand out from the crowd in a very competitive job market. The University’s Careers Service will help you to explore your options and secure a suitable work placement.

GO Wales

GO Wales is administered by the University’s Careers Service, working with local businesses to create paid work placements of a few weeks’ duration or shorter periods of unpaid work tasters for students. It gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience which will enhance your CV and make you more attractive to potential employers.

Year 1

All our students take a Physics Career Planning and Skills Development module in their first year, covering issues such CV writing, presentation, time management and team-working skills, whch are essential to improving employability.

Year 2

You will participate in a careers event, which includes sessions on recognising and developing your employability, mock interviews, CV guidance and presentations by former students in research or industry. All this training will improve your confidence and prepare you for the world of work.

All students take part in group work in our 2nd year laboratory experimental module. This is an important step in developing your skills for a career in research or industry and offers realistic work experience.

Final year

In your final year, you will be preparing for employability as you near the end of your course. We provide talks about writing applications for jobs, talks from previous alumni about their jobs, and talks from visiting employers. You can also book one-to-one sessions with the Careers Service.

A significant part of your final year is your major project. This is your opportunity to complete a substantial individual project that is a showcase of your abilities, and which is of great interest to employers.

Postgraduates

The advanced specialised skills and knowledge that students acquire on our taught postgraduate courses are eagerly sought by employers in STEMM industries. Our research postgraduates gain highly specialised skills that are essential for high level careers in further research or industry.