Physics with a Foundation Year (BSC)

You’ll be taught through lectures, tutorials, labs and a range of computer-based, project-based and skills-based exercises. Physics is a hierarchical discipline so the structure of the course is systematic, building on fundamental understanding.

Exercises are an integral part of all lecture-based modules, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge, increase your critical awareness and enhance your problem-solving skills. 
You’ll have weekly laboratory classes in the first two years, to prepare you for an experimental study as part of your final-year 30-credit Physics project.

We teach mathematics alongside the major Physics and Astrophysics concepts in all years, with specific modules in the first year. It is fundamental to understanding the subject and is incorporated into many physics modules. 
Key IT skills are taught throughout the course as well as basic programming. You may also have the opportunity to take further computing and numerical-methods modules as the course develops.

Regular small-group tutorials are held in years one and two. These allow you to meet with other students in small groups (typically four or five students to one tutor) and receive feedback on your continuous assessment. In the first year these sessions are usually on a weekly basis; in year two they take place fortnightly.

Throughout the course, wherever possible, we aim to use recent research results to illustrate and illuminate the subject.

How will I be assessed?

Throughout each year of study, our assessment strategy is designed to support, engage, and challenge students through three key types of assessment: assessment for learning, assessment as learning, and assessment of learning.

Assessment for learning provides timely, constructive feedback to help students understand their current progress and identify ways to improve. These assessments are closely aligned with both the module learning outcomes and graduate attributes, offering feedback not just on academic performance, but also on key employability skills valued by employers.

Assessment as learning encourages students to reflect, engage, and grow through the assessment process itself. These activities are embedded in the learning journey, helping students take ownership of their progress and build confidence in their capabilities.

Together, these approaches prepare students for assessment of learning, which evaluates achievement against learning outcomes. These summative assessments are used to assure both the University and accrediting bodies that students have developed the required knowledge, skills, and professional competencies.

Examples of Assessment for and as Learning:

• Weekly quizzes and short tests: Reinforce core concepts, encourage regular engagement, and support revision.
• Laboratory diaries (Practical and Computing): Promote scientific thinking and professional development by encouraging reflection and documentation of practical work.
• Creative assignments such as presentations, posters, videos, or letters: Develop communication skills, visual storytelling, and the ability to tailor messages for specific audiences.

Examples of Assessment of Learning:

• Final reports: Showcase practical skills and the ability to communicate findings to professional standards.
• Timed assessments, including exams and in-class tests.
• Oral presentations: Assess subject knowledge, clarity of communication, and the ability to respond to questions with confidence.

Our holistic assessment approach not only supports academic success but also helps students grow into confident, capable professionals ready to make an impact.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Demonstrate a reasoned and connected understanding of the core principles of classical and modern physics to explain phenomena, resolve problems, and identify real-world applications.
• Establish and apply mathematical methods used in physics, including modelling, approximation techniques, and data analysis.
• Detail the interdisciplinary connections between physics and other scientific disciplines, including chemistry, computer science, and engineering.
• Systematically understand the applications of physics in technological, industrial, and environmental contexts.
• Evaluate the role of advanced materials and technologies, such as semiconductors and opto-electronics, in the development and advancement of experimental and theoretical physics.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically evaluate and interpret experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to solve complex physics problems.
• Analyse and critique scientific arguments, methodologies, and evidence in your own work and in the published literature.
• Formulate innovative solutions to open-ended problems in physics through independent and critical thinking.
• Determine the influence of physical parameters on the behaviour of systems from quantum to macroscopic scales.
• Devise and refine models and simulations to investigate complex physical systems using diverse theoretical and computational frameworks.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Develop and apply software, hardware, and instrumentation skills to conduct advanced experiments and simulations in physics.
• Collaborate in diverse teams to convey and apply complex physics concepts in a broad range of contexts and research environments, including multidisciplinary applications such as engineering and data science.
• Conduct independent research projects, complying with ethical, regulatory, and safety standards relevant to the physical sciences.
• Design and implement projects that integrate physics principles with technological innovation to address scientific and societal challenges.
• Develop proficiency in the use, calibration, and characterisation of instruments, tools, and techniques across different domains of physics.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Communicate scientific information clearly and accurately in oral and written forms to diverse audiences.
• Apply problem-solving skills using theoretical, computational, and experimental methods to interdisciplinary and real-world challenges.
• Work effectively both independently and in diverse teams, demonstrating professional integrity, time management, and adaptability.
• Demonstrate investigative skills including literature review, database searching, and the critical use of digital resources in scientific enquiry.
• Manage and lead complex projects, demonstrating initiative, decision-making, and accountability in professional and academic settings.