Academic Regulations: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
| School | Physics and Astronomy |
| Final Award | Bachelor of Science (BSc) Master of Physics (MPhys) with exit awards of: Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) |
| Programme(s) |
|
| Last modified | July 2026 |
The Academic Regulations apply to and regulate the programme(s) listed above.
On occasion, programmes can be exempted from one or more of the clauses in the Regulations; one or more of the clauses can be varied; and programmes can impose additional requirements.
- Exemptions are characterised by the omission of the relevant clause.
- Variations are characterised by the replacement of the clause with alternative wording.
- Additions are characterised by requirements in addition to those detailed in the Academic regulations.
The programmes listed have approval from the Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee for the exemptions and/or variations and/or additions to the regulations noted below.
MPhys Particle Physics with a Research Year Abroad Part III
MPhys Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies with a Year Abroad Part III
Exemption/Variation/Addition | ||
|---|---|---|
1. Definitions | ||
| 1.2 | Back Tracking and Forward Tracking: Studying a module which is set at a lower or higher level than the level on which a student is currently enrolled. | Exemption A student in Part III can forward track by up to 30 ECTS (60 CATS) by one level (FHEQ Level 7). |
| 4. | For all undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes | |
| 4.7 | Back tracking and forward tracking by one level are permitted in each Part of an undergraduate programme, where the maximum combined amount of back tracking and forward tracking allowed per Part is 15 ECTS (30 CATS) and where the minimum credit requirements for each level are satisfied at the time of the award. The requirements of specific programmes may restrict the amount of back tracking allowed on the programme as a whole or in any given Part of the programme. | |
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year Abroad Part III
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year of Research Part III
MPhys Physics with a Year of Experimental Research Part III
| Awards and Programme Structure Regulations (incorporating the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) | Exemption/Variation/Addition | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Definitions | |
| 1.2 | Back Tracking and Forward Tracking: Studying a module which is set at a lower or higher level than the level on which a student is currently enrolled. | Exemption A student in Part III can forward track by up to 22.5 ECTS (45 CATS) by one level (FHEQ Level 7). |
| 4. | For all undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes | |
| 4.7 | Back tracking and forward tracking by one level are permitted in each Part of an undergraduate programme, where the maximum combined amount of back tracking and forward tracking allowed per Part is 15 ECTS (30 CATS) and where the minimum credit requirements for each level are satisfied at the time of the award. The requirements of specific programmes may restrict the amount of back tracking allowed on the programme as a whole or in any given Part of the programme. | |
BSc Physics
MPhys Physics
MPhys Physics with Maths
MPhys Physics with Astronomy
MPhys Physics with Space Science
MPhys Physics with Nanotechnology
MPhys Physics with Industrial Placement
MPhys Physics with Artificial Intelligence
MPhys Physics with Quantum Science & Technologies
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year Abroad
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year of Research
MPhys Particle Physics with a Research Year Abroad
MPhys Physics with a Year of Experimental Research
MPhys Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies with a Year Abroad
Exemption/Variation/Addition | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4. Referral | ||
4.2 | A student who fails to progress under paragraphs 3.1 to 3.3, and to whom 4.1 does not apply, may Refer in Failed Modules totalling at most 15 ECTS (30 CATS). | Variation A student in Part I or II with 45 ECTS (90 CATS) or 52.5 ECTS (105 CATS) of core modules who fails to progress under paragraphs 3.1 to 3.4, and to whom 4.1 does not apply, may Refer in Failed Modules totalling at most 22.5 ECTS (45 CATS). A student in Part III or Part IV who fails to progress under paragraphs 3.1 to 3.4, and to whom 4.1 does not apply, may Refer in Failed Modules totalling at most 15 ECTS (30 CATS). |
- MPhys Physics - Part II
- MPhys Physics with Maths - Part II
- MPhys Physics with Astronomy – Part II
- MPhys Physics with Space Science – Part II
- MPhys Physics with Nanotechnology – Part II
- MPhys Physics with Artificial Intelligence – Part II
- MPhys Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies – Part II
Exemption/Variation/Addition | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2. Definitions specific to Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes | ||
2.2 |
The University standard Average Mark for a Part for undergraduate students on each Part of a programme is 40. | Variation To progress into Part III a student must achieve an Average Mark for Part II of 55 or higher. |
MPhys Physics - Part II
MPhys Physics with Astronomy – Part II
MPhys Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies – Part II
- To transfer (by invitation) from Part II of MPhys Physics with Astronomy to Part III of MPhys Astrophysics with a Year Abroad or Part III of MPhys Astrophysics with a Year of Research, a student must achieve an average mark for Part II of MPhys Physics with Astronomy of 70 or higher.
- To transfer (by invitation) from Part II of MPhys Physics to Part III of MPhys Particle Physics with a Research Year Abroad, a student must achieve an average mark for Part II of MPhys Physics of 70 or higher.
- To transfer (by invitation) from Part II of MPhys Physics with Quantum Science & Technologies to Part III of MPhys Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies with a Year Abroad, a student must achieve an average mark for Part II of MPhys Physics with Quantum Science & Technologies of 70 or higher.
- To transfer (by invitation) from Part II of MPhys Physics to Part III of MPhys Physics with a Year of Experimental Research, a student must achieve an average mark for Part II of MPhys Physics of 70 or higher.
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year Abroad - Part III
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year of Research – Part III
MPhys Particle Physics with a Research Year Abroad - Part III
MPhys Physics with a Year of Experimental Research - Part III
MPhys Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies with a Year Abroad - Part III
Exemption/Variation/Addition | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2. Definitions specific to Undergraduate and Integrated Masters programmes | ||
2.2 |
The University standard Average Mark for a Part for undergraduate students on each Part of a programme is 40. | Variation To progress into Part IV a student must achieve an Average Mark for Part III of 70 or higher. |
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year Abroad - Part IV
MPhys Astrophysics with a Year of Research – Part IV
MPhys Particle Physics with a Research Year Abroad - Part IV
MPhys Physics with a Year of Experimental Physics - Part IV
MPhys Physics – Physics with Quantum Science and Technologies with a Year Abroad – Part IV
| Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes | Exemption/Variation/Addition | |
|---|---|---|
| 5. Repeat | ||
|
| Addition Students failing to meet the criteria required for successful completion of Part IV either at the first attempt or following any Referral will be transferred to their previous programme prior to being permitted to Repeat Part IV in accordance with the Progression, Determination and Classification of Results for Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes. |
These regulations should be read in conjunction with the programme specification.
Disclaimer
As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, these regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.