The document provides information about studying physics and astronomy at the University of Glasgow. It discusses Glasgow's location in Scotland, the university's colleges and schools, research areas and facilities in physics and astronomy, undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, funding options, student life, and fees for international students. The university has a strong reputation for research and teaching in physics and astronomy.

1. Physics and Astronomy studies
at the University of Glasgow
www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/

2. Scotland...

3. Where is it?

4. Scotland – the Nation
• 1 of 4 unique nations in the UK
• Scotland’s population is 5 million
• Scottish Government
• Diverse and beautiful countryside
• Hospitable and welcoming people
• 4 major cities
Café culture Castles Glasgow Countryside

5. The Scottish Climate
• Moderate:
• 27C maximum in summer
• About 5C in winter
• Sunshine and rain in all seasons
• Snow is rare in the city
• Long summer days

6. The City of Glasgow
• One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe
• Population around 800,000
• Host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games
• A cultural city
– free art galleries and museums
– home to Scottish Opera, Orchestra, Ballet, Theatre
– famous festivals: music, comedy, film, whisky, arts
– excellent restaurants, bars and nightclubs
– Lonely Planet named Glasgow as one of the world’s top 10
cities in 2008
– UK City of Architecture 1999
• A commercial city
– Historically known for shipbuilding and heavy engineering
– today: media, creative arts, electronics, financial services,
education, bioscience, tourism

7. Main campus
The University Tower The main campus at night Biomedical
Centre

8. Famous Glasgow names
William Rankine

9. Four colleges
Arts
Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences
Science and Engineering
Social Sciences
 Facilitate collaboration, multi-disciplinarity and joint working
 Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of academic units
 Facilitate improved research performance
 Improve communication to stimulate creativity
 Enhance the postgraduate student environment
 Support strategies to improve student success
 Build on the high quality student experience

10. The College of Science & Engineering
School of Chemistry
School of Computing Science
School of Engineering
School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
School of Mathematics & Statistics
School of Physics & Astronomy
School of Psychology
Research Institute in Neuroscience and Psychology
www.glasgow.ac.uk/colleges/scienceengineering

11. The College of Science & Engineering
 Research funding circa £35 million per annum provides
unique facilities that also support our postgraduate
researchers
 ~270 academic staff, ~70 research fellows, ~120
research associates, and ~80 research assistants
 In excess of 600 PhD students
 More than 300 postgraduate taught Masters students
 Four of the UK’s top ten Research Units in the RAE
2008 – Computing Science, Electrical Engineering,
Physics, and Psychology

12. Research

13. Research in Physics & Astronomy
Research themes:
 Astronomy and astrophysics
 Gravitational research
 Materials and condensed matter physics
 Nuclear physics
 Optics
 Particle physics
Collaboration with Physics departments throughout Scotland
through Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA), and with
Universities and Faculties all over the world.
www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/physics/research/

14. Research in Physics & Astronomy
Astronomy and astrophysics
 theory and simulation of solar and astrophysical plasmas;
 understanding particle acceleration and energy release
through the evolution of EM fields;
 cosmology;
 low-temperature gas-plasmas for commercial use.
Institute for gravitational research
 spearheading the development of leading instrumentation for
the next generation of gravitational wave detectors, on the
ground and in space

15. Research in Physics & Astronomy
Nuclear physics
 First precision measurement of charge distribution within the
neutron at the Mainz Microtron
Optics
 Optical momentum, its foundations and applications, from
making knots of light, showing new forms of quantum
entanglement and imaging to the holographic optical control
of bacteria and cells
Theoretical particle physics
 The world’s most accurate calculations using the theory of the
strong force have given us quark properties to 1%, testing the
Standard Model of particle physics

16. Research in Physics & Astronomy
Experimental particle physics
 the world’s largest computer GRID now exceeds 100 sites
solving problems in Particle Physics, Bioinformatics,
Computing and Engineering
Materials and condensed matter physics
 functional materials by nanoscale control
 advanced imaging and characterisation for development of
novel polymers, semiconductors and magnetic materials
leading to new solar cells, memory and much more
 Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre

17. Why study in Scotland?
• Over 500 years of higher education
• Internationally recognised and accepted qualifications
• Comparably low costs
• Very high quality of teaching and research
• The University of Glasgow is rated 1st in the UK for international student
satisfaction, according to the International Student Barometer 2011.

18. Great facilities
Library Sport and Recreation facilities
• Established 1475 • Two large sites, indoor and outdoor
• One of Europe’s largest • Swimming pool
• Over two million items over 9 • Fully-equipped gyms
floors
• 50+ classes per week
• All-weather pitches
• 3 tennis courts
• Cricket oval

19. Student life
• Students’ Representative Council
• Two student unions
– Glasgow University Union (GUU)
– Queen Margaret Union (QM)
• Clubs and societies
• GUSA – Sports Association
• Student media
• Student volunteering

20. Sports clubs
• Swimming
• Skiing & snowboarding
• Karate
• Cheerleading
• Hockey
• Ultimate frisbee
• Curling
• Cricket
• Golf
• Windsurfing
• Boxing
• Rugby
• and many more…

21. Clubs and Societies
Over 150 clubs and societies
• Cecilian Society
• Photography Society
• European Geography
• Juggling Club
• Student Theatre
• GU Alchemists’ Society
• Computing Society
• Astronomy Society
• GU Veterinary Medical
Association

22. Student accommodation
• 3,300 bed spaces in University owned/managed
accommodation
• International students guaranteed a place for year of entry
• Self-catered
• Catered
• Residence fees are inclusive of:
– heating and lighting
– internet access
– bedding
– group insurance cover for possessions
– laundry allowance
– on-site warden
– free access to SRC minibus campus to halls
(evenings during term time)

23. Studying science at Glasgow

24. Science at Glasgow
Flexibility
Choice
Excellence

25. Flexibility
Entry to science
Degree subject not fixed till third year
Possible to take non-science courses in
1st and 2nd year
At least 350 subject combinations
Possible to transfer to Arts or Social
Sciences in some cases

26. Choice
First-year science courses
Archaeology Exploring the cosmos
Astronomy Geography
Biology Mathematics
Chemistry Physics
Computing science Psychology
Earth science Science fundamentals
Environmental science Statistics
You may also include subjects offered in other areas

27. Excellence
• Teaching Excellence Awards
recognise and celebrate members of
staff whose teaching is of a particularly
high standard
•Student Representative Council
Prizes for Excellent Teachers (PETS)
•National Student Survey 2011
90% student satisfaction overall
Three subjects ranked top in the UK
•International Student Barometer 2011
94% satisfaction with the University’s expert
lecturers

28. Our degrees
BSc (three years)
BSc Honours (four years)
MSci Honours (five years)
• advanced first degree with
work placement for one year in
some courses

29. Adviser of Studies
Looks after you during your degree
Gets to know you
Monitors your progress
Advises on course choices
Helps with personal problems
Directs you to other sources of help

30. Undergraduate study
• 4-year BSc/BEng Honours and 5-year MSci/MEng programmes (some with
work placement)
• A wide range of joint honours degree programmes
• A number of international partnerships (e.g. 2+2, 3+1) with overseas institutions
• Most degree programmes accredited by Professional Societies
• Scholarships available for excellent international students
• Very high scores in National Student Survey (NSS) and International Student
Barometer
More information at: www.glasgow.ac.uk/scholarships/
www.glasgow.ac.uk/undergraduate/
www.glasgow.ac.uk/international/abroadexchange/

31. Graduate destinations
What were our 2010 science graduates doing six months after
graduation?
Seeking employment or training
9%
Other
6%
Entered study or training
40%
Entered work
45%

32. Join us for a PhD?
• Funded University Scholarships
– www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/internationalscholarships/postgraduateresearch/
– www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/homeandeuscholarships/
• Funded Studentships from Scottish Universities
Physics Alliance
– www.supa.ac.uk/Graduate_School/prize
• General contact: pgadmissions@physics.gla.ac.uk
www.gla.ac.uk/schools/physics/
www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunitieshowtoapplyforaresearchdegree/

33. China Scholarships Council
• How to Apply:
– The first wave of applications are received by CSC between 20
February and 20 March every year.
– At the time of applying, applicants must have already received:
 anunconditional offer from University of Glasgow, accompanied by
confirmation that tuition will be waived on gaining CSC stipend
a recommendation from the applicant's home (Chinese) university.
– Potential applicants should first apply for a University of Glasgow
PhD in the normal way. See instructions on how to apply here:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/
– State clearly on the PhD application form that you wish to apply
for CSC funding.

34. Join us for a MSc
Taught postgraduate masters in:
• Astrophysics
• Physics: Energy and the Environment
• Physics: Advanced Materials
• Physics: Life Sciences
• Physics: Global Security
• Physics: Nuclear Technology
JOIN US FOR A TAUGHT MSC
• Theoretical Physics It’s me!
(ONE-YEAR)
Funded University Scholarships
General contact: physics-pgtadmissions@glasgow.ac.uk
www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapplyforataughtdegree/
www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/internationalscholarships/postgraduatetaught/

36. Physics and Astronomy
Postgraduate taught programmes
 Physics: Energy and the Environment
 Physics: Advanced Materials
 Physics: Life Sciences
 Physics: Global Security
 Physics: Nuclear Technology
Aim to give students an understanding of the principles and
methods of modern physics, with particular emphasis on their
application to global challenges, at a level appropriate for a
professional physicist

37. Physics and Astronomy
Postgraduate taught programmes
 Astrophysics
– provides students with the theoretical, observational and computational skills
necessary to analyse and solve a range of advanced astrophysics problems
 Theoretical Physics
– aims to give you an understanding of the principles and methods of modern
physics, with particular emphasis on the theoretical aspects of the subject, at a
level appropriate for a professional physicist
These programmes provide an excellent foundation for a career of scientific leadership
in academia or industry.
Further information at:
www.glasgow.ac.uk/schools/physics/postgraduate/

38. Physics and Astronomy
• Physics and Astronomy at Glasgow
• Studying Physics and/or Astronomy at Glasgow offers you a fundamental
understanding of the way the Universe works, brings you to the forefront of
technology, and provides the opportunity to work in world-leading research
groups.
• Astronomy lectures are complemented by our observatory, planetarium and
telescope facilities. The University has close links with the Glasgow Science
Centre, home to one of the UK’s best planetariums.

39. Fees and funding
• In 2011-12, the annual fee is £15000 for international students
Note: All full-time registered students in
Scotland are covered for free health-care
•Free doctors’ consultations
•Free hospital treatments

40. University of Glasgow - summary
• One of the UK's most prestigious universities
• International reputation for research and teaching
• At or near the top of National and International Student Surveys
• One of the top for transferable skills training
• Flexibility and choice
• Friendly and supportive
• A great European city
1370 Chinese students at the University of Glasgow. 168 of these students are
undergraduates, and one of them is an undergrad in Physics and Astronomy.
See also: http://www.gla.ac.uk/international/country/china/