Student profiles

A Physics degree will get you anywhere.  Employers love problem solving, analytical skills and people that are good with numbers and computers.  During the degree you’ll develop strong time management, report writing, presentation making and organisational skills, and you’ll get plenty of team work experience.  You’ll learn how to do your own programming, and labs allow you to think freely and apply what you’ve learnt in lectures.  These skills will give you a huge range of opportunities; a good physics degree from a good University is a fantastic investment for your future and your career. 

I'm now doing a graduate job at QinetiQ as a scientist. I’ll be using physics for research and development, to produce new technologies to solve a range of problems for both the Ministry of Defence and commercial businesses.

Alexandra Paterson,
BSc Physics recent graduate

Photo: Matt Bailey

The experience gained during the course of my undergraduate degree is proving invaluable in my current postgraduate work. I have learnt to work with several programming languages and astrophysical resources.  More generally, the mathematical and problem solving skills gained are applicable to a wide range of careers and make physics graduates highly employable.

Amy McQuillan
MPhys Physics with Astrophysics graduate now studying for a DPhil Astrophysics at Oxford University.

During my third year I spent two semesters at Auckland University in New Zealand. The Study abroad programme offers a fantastic opportunity to experience a different country’s style of teaching your subject, while you spend your free time meeting lots of different people from all over the world.

As a Physics student I found the major difference in the way that my classes were taught was that a higher level of mathematical ability was required. Although this was at first intimidating, the skills I developed as a result of this challenge have been beneficial upon coming back to Exeter for my final year. Also, by going abroad I was given the opportunity to study away from my main subject, enabling me to gain a broad view on the history and culture of the indigenous people of the Pacific through taking Anthropology modules.

Although the concept of being away from your friends and family for an extended time by doing an exchange may seem daunting to some, I personally would not have traded the opportunity for the world. I am now going to spend the rest of my life travelling around the planet to visit all the friends I have made, and if anyone is in the slightest bit tempted to go abroad then they should ignore any doubts and just do it. It is not something that you will regret.

Matthew Millyard, MPhys Physics with study in New Zealand

I chose for my course to include a year in a placement at a company involved in Physics research. This is one of the best things about the courses the University offers; it allows you to add a lot of value to your degree and distinguish yourself from other graduates. The School of Physics also offers summer placements with some of the research groups in the department, giving you plenty of opportunity to gain real experience to go with your degree.

One of the main reasons I’m enjoying Exeter is the balance between the University and the city itself. As Exeter University is a campus university, you have the support of being in a community of students with all the facilities that you need. However the fact that the Streatham campus is then only ten to fifteen minutes walk from the centre of the city means you’re not confined to the campus and can go out to experience the city.

Edward Lofts, MPhys Physics with Professional Experience

I have just started my second year on the GDF (Graduate Development Framework) for SELEX Galileo. SELEX are responsible for the design and production of radar and laser targeting solutions for military applications. Having done a physics degree it helps me to apply some theory learnt in lectures to real world situations. Having covered a wide range of topics from Electromagnetism to Signal and Image processing it has given me the tools to really get stuck into projects.

Exeter's social side is second to none and it sounds a little cliché but I wouldn't trade the four years at Exeter University for the world.

Oliver Hamilton, MPhys Physics graduate

“Of all the universities I looked around, Exeter was the most welcoming.  It’s the perfect compromise between a campus and a city university as the campus is so close to the town, meaning there’s always lots happening nearby.

I chose to study Physics at Exeter because the department had such a high rating for research; this means the lecturers are researching at the forefront of their subject and really know what they’re teaching. There’s a lot of support, making the course more accessible, with weekly tutorials of small groups of students where any problems that crop up can be sorted and problems classes, in which you work through examples of the Physics you’re studying in the lectures with PhD demonstrators.

There’s a lot of lab time, which is great, with experiments so you can see Physics in action. It also gives you a chance to get to know the other Physicists, making it one of the more sociable degree programs!

Exeter also offers you the chance to do a year’s work placement, which counts towards your degree. Next year I’m going to do my work placement at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory using the Vulcan peta-Watt laser system, which is very exciting!”

Cassandra Wise, MPhys Physics with Professional Experience

“I found Exeter University to be a brilliant balance between a campus university and one that is incorporated into and very close to the centre of one of the most gorgeous cities in the south-west. Exeter, as a city, may be smaller than most but is full of character - and has great shopping! 

The School of Physics had a great atmosphere when I visited and after studying three of my four years, I feel like part of a community within it. I've been able to get involved in the Student Associates Scheme, which was an incredible opportunity, to check out whether teaching was for me. I've been playing badminton both competitively and recreationally for years and have now been playing netball with other physics students due to the Physics Society which really helps everyone in the department get to know each other through socials and trips.”

Emma Salisbury, MPhys Physics

The university is a great mix; a modern university situated in a beautiful part of the country with great beaches and moors in close reach. The standard of teaching and support here is excellent. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

Physics undergraduate