This three-year programme offers an excellent education in a thriving field of science and engineering. The foundation in core physics together with the major areas of physics applied to medicine prepare you for a wide variety of careers inside and outside medical physics, including those in scientific research and industry.
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme
Not acceptable for entrance to this programme
D3,D3,M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Mathematics and Physics required. D3 in Mathematics required.
A,A,B at Advanced Highers (o A,A at Advanced Higher and B,B,B at Higher). Mathematics and Physics at Advanced Higher required. Grade A in Advanced Higher Mathematics required.
Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAB to including Physics and Mathematics. Grade A in Mathematics required.
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency. Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.
The English language level for this programme is: Standard
A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
We have close links to several major teaching hospitals and our staff work side-by-side with doctors and health professionals.
With our highly rated research, the expert knowledge of our staff will be of direct benefit in the lectures and teaching sessions you attend.
Most medical physics classes are small (fewer than 35 students) providing you with an informal, interactive teaching environment in which you can easily raise questions.
The programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) providing the first step to chartered physicist status.
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics. Holders of accredited degrees can follow a route to Institute of Physics membership and the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) professional qualification. Graduates of accredited integrated undergraduate Master's (MPhys or MSci) degrees have fulfilled the educational requirements for CPhys status, while graduates of accredited Bachelor's (BSc) degrees have partially fulfilled these requirements.
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
We offer the option of studying a three-year Physics with Medical Physics BSc or a more in-depth four-year Medical Physics MSci programme. The first two years of study for both programmes are identical and transfer between the two is possible up to the end of the second year. We advise applying for the MSci initially which makes it easier to defer your decision.
In the first year, you will receive an exciting introduction to all the major medical imaging techniques employed in modern hospitals, including X-ray imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear isotope imaging and electroencephalography.
In your second year, you will explore the physics of the human body - covering such topics as blood flow, lung function and thermal regulation - and biophysics, in which you will focus on topics including biological polymers, gas and fluid transport processes, membranes and nerve signals.
During your final year you will choose three medical physics options from a range and will work on a major project with one of the department's research groups.
An indicative guide to the structure of this programme, year by year.
Atoms, Stars and the Universe
Classical Mechanics
Introduction to Medical Imaging
Mathematical Methods I
Mathematical Methods II
Practical Skills
Thermal Physics
Waves, Optics and Acoustics
All first year modules are compulsory.
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Electricity and Magnetism
Introduction to Biophysics
Mathematical Methods III
Physics of the Human Body
Practical Physics
Quantum Physics
Statistical Thermodynamics
All second year modules are compulsory.
Medical Physics Project
You will select three of the following:
Electromagnetic Theory
Nuclear and Particle Physics
Solid State Physics
Quantum Mechanics
Plus three of the following medical physics options:
Applications of Bioengineering
Computing in Medicine
Medical Electronics and Neural Engineering
Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation
MRI and Biomedical Optics
Physiological Monitoring
Treatment with Ionising Radiation
Ultrasound in Medicine
As well as attending lectures, you will also undertake tutorials and practical work, including projects. Projects are conducted in active, well-equipped research groups, often involving collaborations with local hospitals. Many medical physics lectures and projects are taken by a mix of medical physics and medical students, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the work performed in hospitals and universities.
Modules are normally assessed by a combination of coursework and end-of-year examination.
Detailed module descriptions are available on the department website: Physics with Medical Physics BSc.
Our degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics and, as well as a career in medical physics, you will have access to the same wide diversity of careers as with any other UCL physics degree.
Physicists tend to be logical, numerate problem solvers and there is a demand for people who have developed such skills in a wide range of careers. If you are focusing on a career in medical physics there are three main paths.
Firstly, you can train as a medical physicist in the health service. Secondly, you can follow a career in industry: MRI scanners, radiotherapy equipment, and physiological monitoring equipment, for example, all need researching, manufacturing, supplying and maintaining. Thirdly, you may pursue a career in research, probably initially by taking a higher degree - an MSc or a PhD.
UCL is commited to helping you get the best start after graduation. Read more about how UCL Careers and UCL Innovation and Enterprise can help you find employment or learn about entrepreneurship.
The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2019/20 academic year. The UK/EU fees shown are for the first year of the programme at UCL only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase. The Overseas fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2019/20 entrants for each year of study on the programme, unless otherwise indicated below.
Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.
If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc. on this programme, please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).
Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.
Funding opportunities relevant to the department may appear in this section when they are available. Please check carefully or confirm with the programme contact to ensure they apply to this degree programme.
The Scholarships and Funding website lists scholarships and funding schemes available to UCL students. These may be open to all students, or restricted to specific nationalities, regions or academic department.
Your application will be especially interesting to us if you can demonstrate your interest in the medical applications of physics and engineering. You should be motivated by a desire to apply your training to the pursuit of improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Relevant work experience, project work and your knowledge of issues and current affairs surrounding this field will assist your application.
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Application deadline: 15 January 2019
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to visit UCL and tour the two departments in which your teaching will take place. During your visit you will be able to view our facilities and meet staff and current students.
For further information on UCL's selection process see: Selection of students.