King's College London

Our challenging BSc degree in Physics & Philosophy provides a robust foundation in both subjects. It enables you to explore the fascinating connections between these two subjects, which are at the forefront of expanding human knowledge and understanding.

You will study the fundamental aspects of physics, including relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics. Studying philosophy will help you to develop your understanding of reality and our knowledge of it, as well as develop skills in reasoning and argument.

Ours is one of the few physics and philosophy joint honours courses that follows an integrated approach to the two subjects, with modules in the philosophy of physics and philosophy of science, offering you a deeper understanding of some of the conceptual puzzles that you will encounter in your physics courses.

You can also choose to study our MSci course, taking both subjects to Master’s level by adding a fourth year. During this year, you’ll get to choose from a huge array of modules, and undertake a substantial physics research project and philosophy dissertations on topics of your choice, enhancing key employability skills including project management, creative thinking, working as a team, and communication and presentation skills.

Accreditation

Our physics and philosophy degrees are recognised by the Institute of Physics (IOP). Graduates of recognised degrees are seen by the IOP as fully meeting the academic requirements for membership and as a route to professional qualifications like Chartered Physicist (CPhys).

We have designed our joint honours Physics & Philosophy BSc to offer you the opportunity to study both subjects at degree level. The course is split equally between physics and philosophy modules, but you can specialise in one discipline in your final year if you choose.

The physics section of the course covers core theoretical aspects of physics, including areas such as relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, electromagnetism and nuclear physics. In your third year you will have more opportunity to specialise, choosing from an array of different modules. You will gain important numerical and analytical skills, as well as preparing you for further study in theoretical physics. By taking appropriate module options and project choices, you could also pursue further study in experimental physics should you wish to do so.

In the philosophy section of the course you will learn to address difficult questions about the world, our knowledge of it and our values. This will give you highly transferable and valuable skills in reasoning and argument. Your first year will give you a good grounding in a range of important philosophical concepts. In later years, you will be free to choose from an exceptionally broad range of philosophical topics. At the same time, modules in the philosophy of spacetime physics, the philosophy of quantum mechanics and the philosophy of science offer you the opportunity to apply your reasoning skills to understanding and exploring some of the fascinating problems at the heart of modern physics.

In addition, our course emphasises applied learning and problem solving through individual and group project work, enabling you to develop key workplace skills including project management, creative thinking, team work, and communication and presentation skills.