Particle Physics with Research Year Abroad (MPhys)
University of SouthamptonHighfield, Southampton
Course overview
This MPhys Particle Physics degree offers a unique opportunity to combine physics with a year studying abroad. You'll spend your fourth year with the international research team at CERN in Geneva and work on a project at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We offer this flagship course to the best students on our MPhys Physics and MPhys Physics with Mathematics degrees.
Experiments at the LHC led to the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the Higgs boson. Experience at CERN will be recognised by research institutions worldwide, opening up a wide range of career and PhD possibilities. While at CERN, you’ll work on one of the following experiments: LHCb, which is investigating differences between matter and antimatter ATLAS or CMS, both of which are broad research programmes looking for new particles We’re the only UK university to offer a physics degree with an integrated 1-year placement at CERN.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a r
Key highlights
- Fourth year spent with the international research team at CERN, Geneva
- Research project at the Large Hadron Collider
- Work on the LHCb, ATLAS or CMS experiments
- Only UK physics degree with integrated 1-year CERN placement
- CERN experience recognised by research institutions worldwide
Entry requirements
- A-level: A*AA-AAA — including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) or AABB-AABC including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview
- A-level: AAA — to include including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathemat; with EPQ
- A-level: AA-A*A — combined with BTEC
Scholarships
Biological Sciences Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Business School Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Economic, Social and Political Sciences Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Education School Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Engineering Global Talent Scholarship
Up to 5 scholarships of £2,000 are available to international students for the first 3 years of study on an undergraduate degree within the School of Engineering.
Up to £2,000Geography and Environmental Science Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Health Sciences Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Law School Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Ocean and Earth Science Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Psychology Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
School of Mathematical Sciences Undergraduate International Scholarship
Up to £4,500 off the first year of tuition fees.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
Successful applicants will get £10,000 towards their tuition fees.
Up to £10,000Southampton Chemistry Deans International Scholarship
If you are awarded this scholarship, you'll get £5,000 towards your tuition fees in your first year of study.
Up to £5,000Southampton Electronics and Computer Science Global Scholarship
There are 12 scholarships for £5000 each.
Up to £5,000Southampton Physics and Astronomy Achievement Scholarship
The scholarships are renewable for subsequent years of study (subject to continuing academic performance) for up to £20,000 total. There are 10 stipend scholarships of £5,000.
Up to £5,000
Careers this course leads to
- Particle physicist
- Research scientist
- PhD researcher
- Data scientist
- Physics research engineer
Cost of study
UK/Home: £9,535 per year | International: £22,760 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Southampton, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2025 place.