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Meet James

Physics with Astrophysics MPhys

About James

I chose to study my course at Newcastle because I had heard a lot of positive things about the course and the department. I'd become familiar with the lecturers and academics names prior to joining the university. The course really stood out, and the modules really appealed to what I wanted to go in to in my future career.

You get a good variation of the different aspects of Physics, and you don’t just spend all your time on one field.


An experiment that has really stood out to me

It was doing spectroscopy in my first year. You get to work with some cool stuff you wouldn't expect as soon as you join the university. It really opens your eyes to some deeper physics that you’ll study in the rest of your degree.  

My course has really shown me the gap between A-level and my studies before university and the deeper understanding you get at university.


Support that makes a difference

The wellbeing service here at Newcastle has been fantastic. I've received support through the MSP and the general University wellbeing services. Both have been fantastic and it always makes you feel like you’ve got someone looking out for you whilst you're studying and going through a challenging time. 


My future career

The course is preparing me well for my future. There has been a lot of different topics that are covered, which really open your eyes to do different things in the world of Physics. Even if you come to university with a specific idea in mind and later change your plans, there are opportunities to switch areas. There are also many support services that can help you explore different career options and provide details about various events that may be useful for your future.


A thriving Physics community

The community here in the Physics department is tight knit. Even if you don’t speak to people daily, you still feel like you can approach anyone and get the support you need. There are lots of opportunities for group collaboration within the course itself, so you will find yourself speaking to new people from all around the world. It is a great way to meet new people from different backgrounds, as you will be working with your peers in a range of settings such as workshops, projects, or group assignments.  


Discovering Newcastle

Being from the North East, I was already familiar with Newcastle. When you move here, or even when you just start to study here, you really get to grips with the city itself. It's a fantastic place to be a student, there's a lot of culture, entertainment and so many things to do every single day.

In Newcastle, you get to meet some incredible people and get to do some incredible things within the city.


My experience in a few words

My experience at Newcastle has been enjoyable, hectic, and fun. There’s always something happening, and I’ve been introduced to many different areas of Physics. I’ve really enjoyed it and had the chance to study a lot of cool things.

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