Overview
Widely considered the most fundamental science, the world of physics continues to enlighten and astound with its mind-blowing discoveries, and physicists have pioneered modern technologies as diverse as the Internet, nuclear power and MRI scanners.
In first year, you’ll gain a solid foundation in classical and modern physics, mathematics and computing, and invaluable laboratory exposure, before choosing the degree specialism you want to pursue: BSc in Applied Physics; BSc in Physics with Astronomy; BSc in Physics with Biomedical Sciences or the BSc in Physics with Data Analytics.
Once you graduate, you can pursue a career in areas as meteorology, astronomy and astrophysics, design management, data science, research and development, education, data analytics, information technology, healthcare and aeronautics. You’ll also be ideally positioned to pursue further study.
DCU People
When looking at the General Entry Physics course in DCU, I knew I found the course for me.
Read more about Saoirse Mulvaney
I really enjoyed my first year studying physics in DCU. I learned about things like the laws of thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and even bits of biology, chemistry, and programming!
Read more about Conor Darcy
Dr Paul van Kampen joined DCU after completing a PhD in experimental atomic physics. Not long after, he taught a class that would change his career.
Read more about Paul van Kampen
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Physics General Entry provides you with the platform to progress to a degree in your chosen area of specialism.
You will also be ideally positioned to pursue further study.
Further useful materials and resources on the many interesting and diverse career opportunities available to physics graduates are available on the Institute of Physics website.
- Meteorology
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Design Management
- Data Science
- Research and Development
- Education
- Data Analytics
- Information Technology
- Healthcare
- Aeronautics
DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.
Entry Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:
Minimum of 03 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of 03 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Applied Mathematics
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:
GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE B Mathematics and GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE B in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Applied Mathematics
Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.
Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.
To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.
No Entry Path
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.
Course Structure
- Calculus
- Programming
- Thermal and Physical Properties of Matter
- Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- The Universe Electricity and Magnetism
- Motion and Energy
- Light and Optics
- Physics Laboratory
Years 2,3 and 4 will be the modules of your chosen degree choice - Upon successful completion of Year 1 of the degree, choices are:
Year 2 Onwards
Choose degree specialism (link each course)
For more information on the course structure click here
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Applicants presenting EU School Leaving/FETAC Level 5 examinations: Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May
To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
Please provide
- Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.
All mature applicants apply through the CAO by 1st February. For further information and for special application procedures for mature students, please click here
Please see Application Procedures or E-mail ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
Candidates required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is physics general entry a four-year programme?
Physics General Entry (PGE) is the name of the entry route to all our Physics programmes. All students do a common first year called Physics General Entry, and then choose a specific programme for the remaining three years. The physics programmes we offer at the moment are Applied Physics, Physics with Astronomy, and Physics with Biomedical Sciences. You will graduate after completing four years.
Why are there no points listed for dc175, physics general entry?
Physics General Entry is a new programme on the CAO system, so there is no data from previous years. CAO points and trends for our three CAO codes we used to have (DC167, DC171 and DC173) should provide a reasonably good idea of the likely points for PGE.
What happens after the first year of physics general entry?
During the second semester of your first year, you will choose which of the three physics programmes you would like to enter for the next three years: Applied Physics, Physics with Astronomy, or Physics with Biomedical Sciences.
Do I need to have studied physics in order to do this course?
No, you do not need to have studied physics in school in order to join the Physics General Entry programme. You must have a minimum of O3 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of O3 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry, Applied Mathematics or Computer Science.
What will I study for my degree?
In first year, you will take 2 calculus modules (MS129 and MS130), 1 introductory chemistry module (CS108), 1 introductory programming module (CA146), 2 physics laboratory modules (PS151 and PS157), and five other physics modules: Motion and Energy (PS101), Light and Optics (PS102), Electricity and Magnetism (PS104), Physical and Thermal Properties of Matter (PS105) and a "taster" module that is an introduction to both Physics of the Human Body and Astrophysics, called Life, The Universe and Everything (PS118). For Years 2-4, the information is on the DCU website here:
Physics with Biomedical Sciences
What are my career options following if I choose the physics general entry route?
Physics General Entry provides you with the platform to progress to a degree in your chosen area of specialism, with potential to pursue careers in areas as varied as: Meteorology, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Design Management, Data Science, Research and Development, Education, Information Technology, Healthcare and Aeronautics. You will also be ideally positioned to pursue further study.
What is the ratio of lab-based activities to lecture-based learning?
In Year 1, every student takes 2 experimental lab modules and 1 module that includes a computer lab. In Year 2, all students take an electronics lab module and one or two physics lab modules, depending on the stream they choose. In Year 3 every student takes one lab module. In Year 4, there are no lab modules but the Fourth Year project often involves research in an experimental or computational lab.
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
