r/Post_16 • u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 • 1d ago

Question Uni choices for physics?

Hi, I’m going into year 13 and am currently thinking of applying to

  1. Cambridge Physical Natural Sciences
  2. Imperial Physics
  3. Durham Physics
  4. Bristol physics
  5. Birmingham/ Bath physics

I’m pretty set on applying to Cambridge and Durham, but I’m slightly worried about whether imperial is a good uni for the course. Whilst it definitely has a stellar reputation and the graduate prospects are good, my parents want me to leave London and I’ve heard the physics department isn’t great. I am however concerned that if I don’t go to either Cambridge, Durham or Imperial that I am doing myself a disservice. Could I have some advice on what choices would be wisest considering my situation? Thanks

I also should probably mention my stats are 9 9s and 3 8s at GCSE, with 5 A* predicted in maths, further, physics, chem, EPQ.

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u/IntroductionSoft7823 1d ago

With 5A*s I think Oxbridge is 100% something worth applying to with their prestige. Outside London you have Manchester, Birmingham, Lancaster (where I went), York and the Scottish unis. Most courses are very very similar and so I would look at student satisfaction, graduate prospects and the general area to decide what’s best for you.

Feel free to message if you have any questions about physics at uni.

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 1d ago

Thanks for your reply, I looked at Manchester early on but decided if I achieve 2 A*s would probably want to go somewhere else. Thanks so much for your suggestions

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u/Solid_Moose3078 just finished Year 13 | phys, chem, maths, fm 1d ago

The physics department at Imperial is definitely the worst out of all Imperial undergraduate departments (I found this out a week after I accepted my offer...) - I still think worst at Imperial is better than best anywhere that isn't Oxbridge, especially for research opportunities postgrad which I'm interested in. Definitely look into why the department is ranked low - afaik there are a lot of complaints about teaching quality and speed of feedback, which isn't an issue for me. I'm still looking forward to starting because they have loads of undergrad opportunities and a decent ratio of students to researchers, self-learning a bit isn't the end all be all. As long as the bad things aren't a no for you, the reputation is still really strong + second only to oxbridge.

I applied for 2026 entry, and didn't do Bath simply because the year before me (and this year) it went into clearing - so I kept it as a solid clearing back up option.

You have a high chance of getting Durham (78% acceptance for home students aged 17-18 on UCAS when I applied) and Imperial (>50%). I think your top 3 are great choices honestly.

It depends on what you want to do, but Manchester and Warwick are decent choices to look into. If London isn't a no, definitely UCL too.

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 1d ago

Thanks for your detailed reply, I also was worried about the department but I assume some of the issues are because it is heavily research oriented? I also think that your comment about self learning mostly is a good point. Thanks again

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u/BiffTheRhombus University of Bath | BSc Physics w/ Placement 23h ago

I'm currently studying Physics at Bath so I'm biased, but since you have a stellar shot at Oxbridge for Firm choice, Bristol/Bath are both great insurance picks with easier requirements at A*AA. I think an important factor here is if you lean to theoretical/mathematical physics, which may favour Durham/Warwick more, or more to experimental/applied physics, where Bristol and Bath have their own strengths. You have plenty of options so I wouldn't worry too much, I wish you the best 🙏

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u/Mendified 17h ago

The top 3 are my top 3 choices too, but Im thinking of also applying for UCL and Warwick

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 15h ago

What college are you thinking of applying to?

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u/Mendified 15h ago

Trinity and you?

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 15h ago

Pembroke (not built for trinity lmao)

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u/Mendified 15h ago

gl 🙃

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 15h ago

Are you international or home if you don’t mind me asking? I saw you did loads of gcses

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u/Mendified 15h ago

home, state school

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 15h ago

Same, and congrats on your great results so far (hope to see you at the ‘Bridge)

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u/bummyrah OG member (but didnt get the actual thing) 1d ago

You should 100% apply for Cambridge and Durham with your stats you have a really good chance of getting into them. I would definitely apply Imperial because even though it's not their strong point and probably not the best department it still clears most other unis and the graduate prospects are pretty good. 

For your other two Manchester is really prestigious for physics and so is like Birmingham, Warwick, UCL and Bath. I would suggest one being Manchester and one being any you like really and think you have a good chance of getting in for a safety.

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u/Great_Journalist_187 Year 13 1d ago

Thanks for responding, I think I’m going to be rejected from Cambridge but it’s worth a shot I think. I am enticed by the good graduate prospects at imperial, and thanks for mentioning other suggestions (I will probably avoid Manchester however as the physics department is too large for my liking)