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) | 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 |
| Last modified | August 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.
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. |
Exemptions:
The clause(s) listed below describe where an exemption to the Regulations exists.
| 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 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. | |
| 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. | |
| Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes | 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). |
| Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes | 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. |
| Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes | 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 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 Physics with a Year of Experimental Research, a student must achieve an average mark for Part II of MPhys Physics of 70 or higher.
Variation 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.
Variation 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. |
| Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes | 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. |
| 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: 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.