We are committed to preparing you for diverse career paths in physics and beyond. Our programmes ensure you build skills like resilience and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing job market alongside core physics skills.
Physics graduates from Nottingham are well-prepared for careers beyond traditional fields, with employers highly valuing their ability to tackle complex challenges and their broad transferable skills.
At Nottingham, there’s a range of services and opportunities that ensure you have the tools you need for success:
- Lifelong careers support, expert advice and assistance with CVs and job applications through the Faculty of Science Careers Team.
- Dedicated careers events where alumni share their professional journeys.
- A Year in Industry option on each course with dedicated placement advisors to guide you through the application process.
- Competitive summer placements offer hands-on research experience.
Hear from three graduates who have each followed different career paths following their Physics degrees at Nottingham.
Zach, a Radiotherapy Research Physicist at Cambridge University Hospital, studied BSc Physics with Medical Physics. He chose Nottingham not only because he loved the warm and welcoming campus and city atmosphere, but because of the links with MRI technology.
“My degree at Nottingham not only gave me the practical and theoretical skills I needed for my career but it also supported the development of my personal confidence. I was very grateful for the support from the Careers Service who worked with me to build and improve my interview skills as that was an area I was especially worried about.
I wasn’t aware of the full extent of medical physics before I started but the course opened my eyes to its vast possibilities. I now work behind the scenes as an NHS Physicist, supporting the radiotherapy service, testing machines, planning treatment and one of the most rewarding parts of my job, working with trials and data. It's incredible to know that my work directly contributes to improving people's lives - something pretty unique for a physics role.”
We interviewed physics alumni Oli Mott to find out how his degree from our School of Physics and Astronomy helped him secure his career as Head of Financial Crime at Nottingham Building Society.
Oli, completed both a BSc Physics with Medical Physics and a degree in Forensic Science. He is now the Head of Financial Crime at Nottingham Building Society.
“I began my career as a Police Crime Investigator and then moved into financial crime where I found many synergies in problem-solving and understanding complex issues. The attention to detail that I developed through my physics degree has been tantamount to everything I have do. Similarly, the analytic skills I gained have been key throughout my career, often proving more important than the subject matter itself. Although I had no background in financial services when I joined my current role, the skills I learned at university gave me the foundation to quickly adapt and thrive in this new area.”
We interviewed physics alumni Michael Robson to find out how his degree from our School of Physics and Astronomy helped him secure his career as Control and Instrumentation Engineer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
Michael’s degree from the School of Physics and Astronomy helped him secure his role as a Control and Instrumentation Engineer at the UK Atomic Energy Authority. He works on the instrumentation on the mast upgrade machine run by the Authority to research nuclear fusion.
“I’ve always been fascinated by nuclear fusion and its potential to provide cleaner energy and my physics degree broadened my awareness of the many opportunities in this field. I focused on finding work in this area and my physics background gave me the flexibility to apply for a range of roles. The most rewarding part of my job is pushing the boundaries of engineering and science to have a meaningful impact on the planet.”
