Top jobs with a physics degree
Find out what you could do with a degree in physics, and discover some of the jobs Surrey physics graduates have secured over the past few years.
At the University of Surrey, our distinct physics degrees put you at the heart of the 21st century and are among the very best in the UK. Our physics graduates are highly sought after, with 96 per cent in work or further education after graduating, and earning an average salary of £31,821 (Graduate Outcomes 2023, HESA).
Dr Caroline Shenton-Taylor visits undergraduate student Stefan Bell at the National Physical Laboratory.
Many of our students choose to take an integrated Research Year or a Professional Training placement giving them the opportunity to experience a real working environment as an integral part of their degree. This enables students to gain invaluable work and research experience, and a real head-start whether they enter the job market or pursue their passion further with postgraduate study. These placements take place at partner institutions both in the UK and abroad.
Our students enjoy a range of Professional Training placement opportunities and close links to industry, including our partnership with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
Careers with a physics degree
A degree in physics, including a physics degree integrated with mathematics, astronomy, nuclear astrophysics or quantum technologies, can lead to a range of fulfilling and exciting careers. Physicists are highly sought after in a variety of fields. Our degrees will provide you with the analytical, experimental and computational skills valued in a wide range of careers.
Jobs directly related to a physics degree include:
- Astronomer
- Clinical scientist, medical physics
- Lecturer/academic
- Nanotechnologist
- Radiation protection practitioner
- Research scientist
- Teacher
- Sound engineer
- Nuclear engineer.
However, a degree in physics will also enable you to gain skills that would be highly relevant in other, more unexpected roles. These includes:
- Data analyst
- Operational researcher
- Patent attorney
- Software engineer
- Telecommunications researcher.
Physics graduate jobs
In recent years, our physics graduates have secured roles including:
- Senior Development Engineer, Fourth State Medicine Ltd
- Research Scientist RF and Microwave Metrologist, National Physical Laboratory
- System Analyst, Raytheon Systems Ltd
- Automation Tester, CGI
- Graduate Physicist, DSTL
- Graduate Engineer, Aktins
- Trainee Clinical Scientist, NHS.
Discover more about our physics degrees, our award-winning Professional Training placement scheme and student life at Surrey.