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Physics

 

Graduate Destinations

First Degree 
In a difficult economic climate 2010 physics graduates who traditionally enter scientific and finance based careers areas have maintained a similar pattern of entry into full-time employment when compared with the previous year. There was an increase in those undertaking part-time work  and voluntary work possibly in an attempt to boost their employability. The percentage of those deciding to take time out also increased significantly. For some scientific careers, further study is required, and this continues to be a popular option for first degree graduates, but was down slightly from last year's survey.

Higher Degree 
The higher degree graduates have performed well in the labour market. Significantly the data also indicates that a small number of this cohort opted to take time out. A similar number chose to go onto further study.

 

	First Degree			Higher Degree
	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10
Full time work	42.0%	40.0%	32.8%	88.2%	88.9%	73.9%
Part time work	1.2%	7.1%	9.8%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Voluntary work	0.0%	1.4%	3.3%	0.0%	5.6%	0.0%
Further study	42.0%	31.4%	27.9%	0.0%	5.6%	8.7%
Not available (inc. gap year)	6.2%	5.7%	13.1%	0.0%	0.0%	8.7%
Due to start work	0.0%	1.4%	0.0%	5.9%	0.0%	0.0%
Unemployed	6.2%	11.4%	11.5%	5.9%	0.0%	4.3%
Other	2.5%	1.4%	1.6%	0.0%	0.0%	4.3%

 

Salary data

                     First Degree Salaries (£)                                                 Higher Degree Salaries (£)

 

 

Employment sectors and salary

Physics graduates are attracted to scientific, engineering and financial sectors. The current economic climate has particularly impacted on both the engineering and financial sectors. Despite this, physics graduates have been successful in securing a diverse range of occupations, often with multinational organisations. These included roles related to their degree, such as scientific researchers, medical scientists, physicists, software engineers, system designers, patent examiners and Teachers. The finance related roles include business analysts and banking. Corporate roles include marketing managers for international companies. Scientific and academic research roles were amongst the roles featured for the higher degree graduates.

 

Starting salaries for first degree graduates fell slightly compared to those paid last year. However, salaries for postgraduates were significantly higher than in previous years.

Areas of further study

Of those first degree graduates choosing higher degrees, the majority was extending their studies within physics, including undertaking post doctoral qualifications. These studies could enhance employability and be a logical response to the current job market. Others chose to pursue vocational training to gain entry to the teaching profession.

 

All data supplied is from known destinations of full time graduates and is not comparable to the HESA submission.
More detailed destination data can be found in the Careers and Employability Service.