Best Universities In Europe For Studying Physics

Last Updated on December 16, 2022

Whether you are an undergraduate studying for your first degree or are currently enrolled in a masters, finding the perfect university should be easy, right? We scoured through hundreds of international universities to bring you our top best universities in Europe for studying physics, top universities for physics uk, best universities for physics in canada, top physics universities undergraduate & best university for theoretical physics.

From the top physics universities undergraduate, top universities for physics UK, best science universities in the world and also information on undergraduate physics rankings 2020, you can do no wrong in searching for the information you need on Collegelearners.

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Best Universities For Studying Physics Degree

A Bachelor of Science or BSc is an undergraduate study program that usually lasts between three and five years.  While enrolled in school, students have the opportunity to take general and specialized classes to obtain credit for graduation.

Physics is a natural science. It is the branch that deals with studying and understanding matter and energy. Topics found in physics studies can include mechanics, calculus, electricity, magnetism, thermodynamics and optics.

The recently released QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 features 601 of the top higher education institutions to study physics. The QS University Rankings by Subject are based on four indicators: academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations per paper and the H-index (a way of measuring the productivity and published work of a scientist or scholar).

Physics is one of the oldest scientific disciplines, and the most fundamental to understanding how the universe behaves. Read on to learn more about the best physics schools in Europe.

Top Universities For Physics UK

The following list of European universities offer a significant number of Physics courses. Naturally, this is a good guide to what makes a particular institution a good school for Physics students. However, it would be a mistake to assume that a school offering many courses in this subject is therefore necessarily a good school for the subject overall.

The world of physics is a complex and diverse place, and choices for physics students can be even more so. But we’ve gone through the decision-making for you with this handy list of the top universities in Europe to study physics . Realistically, what are your options? 

1. University of Dundee

Secondary Education (Physics)

Successful participation in this program enables students to gain provisional registration as a Secondary teacher, working with learners in the 11-18 age group, within a specific area of the curriculum, i.e. Physics. You will work alongside tutors with a wealth of experience to share with you and the ability to help you to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding you will need to fulfil the role of a secondary school teacher.

Admission requirements

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)HigherA-CAdvanced HigherA-CStandard Grade1-3Intermediate 2A-CNational 5A-CGeneral Certificate of Education (GCE)A-LevelA-DAS LevelA-DGCSEA-CIrish Leaving Certificate (ILC)Higher LevelA-COrdinary LevelA-CInternational Baccalaureate (IB)Higher Level5-7Standard Level4-7

2. Cardiff University

Physics

The BSc Physics degree is designed to give you a broad physics education and, in addition, supply you with a wide range of mathematical and computational skills.

Designed for those with an enquiring mind, this degree provides a wide-ranging education in how theoretical and experimental physics can be used to describe the universe. It also provides an insight into the impact of physics on modern technologies.

Admission requirements

Typical A level offer

AAB-ABB to include B in Mathematics and Physics with (where applicable) a pass in the practical element of the science A level. For applicants taking A Level Maths only (NO PHYSICS), you will require A*BB with A* in A Level Maths. Please note that General Studies are not accepted for entry.

Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

FoNs admin staff visit to Physics | Imperial News | Imperial College London

Physics With Medical Physics

The application of physics to the treatment and diagnosis of medical conditions is a rapidly expanding and exciting field of study, vitally important to the detection and treatment of many medical conditions and diseases.

This BSc Physics with Medical Physics has been developed in conjunction with the University Hospital of Wales. Specialised modules are given by professional medical physicists from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine.

The course is designed to give you a thorough grounding in physics and a broad introduction to the many specialist areas of medical physics. In the final year you will carry out a research project at the University Hospital of Wales where particular fields of interest are Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, electrical impedance tomography, radiation physics and body composition measurements.

Admission requirements

Typical A level offer

AAB-ABB to include B in Mathematics and Physics with (where applicable) a pass in the practical element of the science A level. For applicants taking A Level Maths only (NO PHYSICS), you will require A*BB with A* in A Level Maths. Please note that General Studies are not accepted for entry.

Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

3. Imperial College London

Physics

This degree is professionally accredited by the Institute of Physics. As well as your main Imperial degree (BSc), you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) on completion of this course.

Physics at Imperial covers a broad range of topics in both fundamental and applied physics. All of our physics courses follow the same core curriculum for the first two years. This gives you a good grounding in physics, mathematics and experimental methods, and prepares you for advanced study in later years. Topics include:

A wide range of optional modules is available as you progress through the course, many of which are directly linked to the research of our nine internationally-recognised research groups so you’ll be learning at the very cutting edge of the subject. Research in our Department has contributed to ground-breaking discoveries in many different fields, from astrophysics to quantum optics and laser science.

Admission Requirements

MSci Physics with a Year Abroad | Study | Imperial College London

Language requirement

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. 

For more information about the requirement please visit the university website.

Physics with Theoretical Physics

This degree is professionally accredited by the Institute of Physics. As well as your main Imperial degree (BSc), you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) on completion of this course.

Physics at Imperial covers a broad range of topics in both fundamental and applied physics. This course is ideally suited to those with a specific interest in mathematics and its application, and places less emphasis on experimental work than our standard Physics courses.

You will follow a similar curriculum to the standard Physics courses for the first two years, covering key topics such as electromagnetism, relativity and quantum physics. As a Theoretical Physics student, you will take an extra mathematics module in both years in place of a physics module.
This core programme provides you with a good grounding in physics, mathematics and experimental methods, and prepares you for advanced study.

Admission requirements

Language requirement

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. 

For more information about the requirement please visit the university website.

Best Universities In Europe for Studying Physics

255 of the world’s top universities to study physics can be found in Europe. Of these, 37 are in the United Kingdom. The University of Cambridge and University of Oxford are both featured in the top 10, in fourth and fifth place respectively. Other notable universities include Imperial College London (11th) and University College London (UCL, up eight places this year to joint 28th), the University of Manchester (up seven places to joint 37th) and University of Edinburgh (also up 7 places to 40th).

Germany’s universities score particularly well this year in the physics ranking, with 43 universities featured in the rankings and five in the top 50. Notable mentions include Germany’s highest ranked university, Technische Universität München (17th) and KIT, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (which dropped 11 places this year to joint 42nd). France also scores well with 22 entrants this year, including three in the top 50, with Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres) rising nine places this year to joint 37th.

Italy is home to 25 top universities to study physics, including top ranking Sapienza – Università di Roma in 35th place. Russia contains 17 physics universities, with Lomonosov Moscow State University in 33rd place – still the highest ranked physics university in Russia despite dropping seven places this year. Spain has 14 universities in the rankings this year and the Netherlands has 9, with Delft University of Technology, rising seven places to joint 42nd place. University of Amsterdam is also new to the top 50 this year, rising 1 place to 50th position.

Poland and Switzerland each have seven universities in the physics school rankings. Switzerland has one university in the top 10 (ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), 9th place) and another in the top 20 (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), in joint 15th).

Physics programs cover particle physics, atoms, molecules, quantum mechanics, astrophysics, as well as cosmology, planetary geology, and astrobiology.

The dynamic field of astronomy and astrophysics is now becoming increasingly important. New generation instruments, located on the surface of the Earth and in space, allow us to study the origin, structure, evolution of planets, stars, star systems, the Universe more deeply than ever before.

Undergraduate physics and astronomy courses usually last three years, after the first years of mastering key concepts, you can tailor the curriculum to your interests. Both disciplines are an intellectual challenge that will require strong math skills.

1University of Cambridge
2University of Oxford
3ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
4Imperial College London
5EPFL
6Ludwig Maximilian Universität München
7Technical University of Munich
8Lomonosov Moscow State University
9Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
10UCL
11Université PSL
12Ecole Polytechnique
13Sapienza University of Rome
14The University of Manchester
15The University of Edinburgh
16Sorbonne University
17Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
18KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
19University of Amsterdam
20RWTH Aachen University
21University of Southampton
22Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
23Durham University
24Delft University of Technology
25Universität Hamburg
26University of Pisa
27Université Paris-Saclay
28University of Geneva
29University of Copenhagen
30National Research Nuclear University
31Università di Padova
32Leiden University
33Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
34KTH Royal Institute of Technology
35Novosibirsk State University
36King’s College London
37University of Glasgow
38Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna
39University of Bristol
40The University of Warwick
41Technische Universität Dresden
42Universitat de Barcelona
43Lund University
44Politecnico di Milano
45University of Birmingham
46Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
47University of Zurich
48Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)
49Université Grenoble Alpes
50Chalmers University of Technology

best universities for physics in germany

Physics translates from ancient Greek as ‘knowledge of nature’, is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion and behavior through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and force. Being one of the fields of study in the fundamental science is a primary field of study among many German students. German universities carry a good reputation for the progress made in last few decades in the field. This can be attributed to high standards of teaching and lab facilities available to students. We list the top universities to pursue your higher studies in Physics in Germany.

1. RWTH Aachen

RWTH Aachen University is the biggest university of technology in Germany which comes under the TU9 university group. and it also one of Europe’s leading institutions for science and research. Here Master Programme focuses on all disciplines including arts, social science, and economics.

Program List :

  • M.Sc. Physics (English)

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter
  • Summer – Deadline: Sep 01
  • Winter – Deadline: Mar 01

Course WebsiteApplication Portal

2. University of Augsburg

University of Augsburg

Augsburg University is one of largest university of Applied Sciences is a Germany. It is divided into the main areas of economy, design, technology and computer science. It is manageable which attracts students and scholars from far beyond the different region.

Program List :

  • M.Sc. Physics (German and English)

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Winter and Summer

Course WebsiteApplication Portal

3. University of Bayreuth

The University of Bayreuth one of the leading university in natural sciences and engineering, it focuses on several interdisciplinary courses like Philosophy & Economics, Global Change Ecology, Theatre and Media studies, and Health Economics and it also ranked on place number the Times Higher Education.

Program List :

  • Physics, Master of Science M.Sc. (German ; English if there are course participants who do not speak German)

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter
  • Summer – Deadline: Jan 15
  • Winter – Deadline: Jul 15

Course websiteApplication Portal

4. Free University of Berlin

Free university of berlin is one most well known university in Germany. It also know as for research in the humanities and social sciences,It allows scholars to pursue their teaching and learning without political interference.

Program List :

  • M.Sc. physics (English)

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Winter and Summer
  • Summer: Dec 01 – Jan 15
  • Winter: Apr 15 – May 31

Course websiteApplication Portal

5. Humboldt University of Berlin

Humboldt University of Berlin

The Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the oldest university in Berlin. It also recognised for research and teaching University all over the world.

Program List :

  • M.Sc. Bio – Physics

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter

Course websiteApplication Portal

6. Technical University of Berlin

TU Berlin the largest and most appreciable German institutes of technology. Due to this university comes under the top ten universities in Germany.It also has one of the highest proportions of international students in Germany.

Program List :

  • M.Sc. Physics (English)

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter
  • Summer – Deadline: Feb 28
  • Winter – Deadline: May 15

Course websiteApplication Portal

7. Bielefeld University

Bielefeld University

Bielefeld University is known as the youngest university in Germany.It mainly focuses on humanities, natural sciences, social science.It has also a wide area of the network in Research and teaching process.

Program List :

  • Master of Science – Physics
  • Master of Science – Nanosciences
  • Master of Science – Biophysics
  • Mathematical and Theoretical Physics (German and English)

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter
  • Summer: Dec 01 – Jan 15
  • Winter: Jan 01 – Jul 15

Course websiteApplication Portal

8. Ruhr University Bochum

Uni Bochum

Ruht university bochum is very successful in the largest and Germany’s most prestigious universities. The University of Bochum was one of the first universities in Germany to introduce international bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Program List :

  • Medical Physics M.Sc.
  • Physics, Master of Education (German)
  • Physics, Master 1 subject (German) – 6 semesters

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter
  • Summer – Deadline: Jan 15

Course websiteApplication Portal

9. University of Bonn

The University of Bonn is one of the world’s leading research based Universities and therefore it is no surprise that we operate on an international level. They particularly specialize in the fields of research and offers international programmes.

Program List :

  • Master in physics
  • Master in Astrophysics

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter
  • Summer – Deadline: Jan 15
  • Winter – Deadline: May 01

Course websiteApplication Portal

10. Braunschweig University of Technology

TU Braunschweig

University of Brunswick most notable and largest German institutes of technology. It mainly focuses on Aeronautics and vehicle engineering including autonomous driving and electric mobility, manufacturing.

Program List :

  • Quantum physics and technology
  • Space Physics and Engineering

Course Details :

  • Program Duration – 4 Semesters
  • Admission semester – Summer and Winter

top physics universities undergraduate

The physics degree ranking list below is designed to help prospective physics majors choose a school with a high thirty year net return on investment, that will give students the best opportunities in the field at the undergraduate level.

Top 10 Rankings Bachelor of Physic Programs

RankSchoolLocation
1California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA
2Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA
3Stanford UniversityStanford, CA
4Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA
5Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ
6University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA
7University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
8Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York City, NY
9Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
10Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD

Methodology

Universities were included in the list according to their inclusion in the top 25 ranking of the Academic Ranking of World Universities for Physics. The schools were then ranked from the highest to lowest 30 year net return on investment as reported by payscale.com.

This Physics Degrees ranking list will help students discern the best value among affordable undergraduate physics programs, so that they are sure they are spending their time and money in the most optimal fashion.

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