Physicist

You can do a degree to start your career in physics. The course you choose will depend on your area of interest.

Course examples include:

• physics
• astrophysics
• mathematics
• medical physics
• computer science
• engineering physics

If you do not have the required entry qualifications to do a physics degree, you may be able to do a 1-year physics foundation course before moving onto a degree.

Some physics degrees combine an undergraduate course with a postgraduate master's qualification, like an MPhys or MSci. On these, you'll do more independent research, and courses can lead to further study for a PhD.

You could apply for a Degree Apprenticeship work-based training scheme. There are a lot of options available to develop your skills in physics.

Examples include:

• Robotics Engineer Level 6
• Nuclear Scientist Level 6
• Space Systems Engineer Level 6
• Scientist Level 6
• Research Scientist Level 7

These apprenticeships take between 3 and 5 years to complete.

You may be able to apply for a place on a graduate training scheme with a commercial company, government department or university, after completing your degree or postgraduate qualification.

You'll need a degree and postgraduate qualification to work as an astronomer. You'll usually need to have achieved a first class honours or 2:1 in your degree.

Relevant subjects include:

• maths
• physics
• astrophysics
• geophysics
• astronomy
• space science

You can also do an extended 4-year degree to get a postgraduate master's qualification. These courses include more independent research and can lead on to a PhD.

Many employers will expect you to have completed, or be working towards, a PhD in your specialist area of interest.

You'll usually need a degree in meteorology or a related subject like:

• physical sciences
• maths
• geography
• computer science
• environmental science

You might need a postgraduate qualification in meteorology or climatology if you want to do research.

You can find out more about relevant degree subjects from the Royal Meteorological Society.

Getting experience of computer modelling during your degree or postgraduate course can be useful in this role.

You can apply for Met Office work experience opportunities to learn more about what it's like to work in meteorology. There are schemes for young people in different age groups.

You may also be able to apply for an industrial placement with the Met Office, if you are studying at university.

You can apply to the Met Office for a place as a trainee on their Foundation Operational Meteorology Programme.

You'll need a degree or equivalent qualification in science, maths or a related subject like geography. Other subjects may be accepted if you have the qualities the Met Office is looking for.

You can study for a degree in oceanography or a related subject, like:

• ocean science
• geology
• physics
• marine science
• biology or chemistry
• environmental science

Employers often look for students with postgraduate qualifications, like a master's degree or PhD. They also value experience of working in marine science, engineering or oceanographic research.

You can get experience by choosing a course that includes work placements or internships with a marine company or research centre.

You can find marine companies and research organisations through the Society for Underwater Technology.

To work as a professional geoscientist you'll need a degree in a relevant subject. Courses often combine theory with fieldwork and practical training.

Degree subjects include:

• geology
• geoscience
• geophysics
• Earth science

It's becoming more common for new entrants to hold or be working towards postgraduate qualifications like an MSc or PhD.

Integrated postgraduate master's qualifications like a MGeol or MSci can be studied at university. These courses include more independent research and are designed to lead directly onto further study like a PhD.

It's useful to get some work experience through an internship or year in industry placement while you are at university. Your university careers service can help you find opportunities.

Organisations like Geology for Global Development also run projects and placements to help you gain skills.

You could apply to do a Geoscientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You could also apply to do a Geotechnical Engineer Level 7 Integrated Degree Apprenticeship if you already have a first degree in a subject like::

• engineering
• science
• geoscience
• maths

You'll need a first degree, and often postgraduate training, to get into hydrology. Degrees include:

• environmental science
• geography
• civil engineering
• environmental engineering
• Earth sciences
• ecology

You could apply for an Environmental Practitioner or Geoscientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship before specialising in hydrology.

These can take up to 5 years to complete and are a mix of learning on the job and studying at an approved university.

You could start as an assistant hydrologist or technical officer, if you have a degree in a science or environmental subject.

Your employer may encourage you to take a postgraduate qualification while you're working, like a master's degree in hydrology.

You'll usually need to complete a first degree followed by further study for postgraduate qualifications at master's or PhD level.

Subjects include:

• botany
• Earth sciences
• geology
• palaeontology
• zoology
• biological science

Employers like universities or research institutions will expect you to have completed, or be working towards, a PhD in your specialist area of interest in palaeontology.

Volunteering at your local museum can help you learn more about palaeontology, especially where the museum has a fossil collection.

You can also get involved in activities organised by geology and fossil hunting societies, like Rockwatch.

You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in:

• geology
• geography
• Earth science
• geophysics
• environmental science
• computer science

Many employers will expect you to be working towards a PhD on a relevant research project.

You could start as a PhD research assistant, for example in a university Earth sciences or geophysics engineering department. With further training and experience you could become a seismologist.