Overview
It’s definitely for you if you’d like to work as a physicist in industry, finance, tech or other demanding corporate sectors, where physicists are among those working to interpret that data and revolutionise how technologies are harnessed.
This degree combines lectures, tutorials, stimulating laboratory work, and projects combining fundamental physics concepts with exciting, real-life technological skills and applications. You’ll study physics, maths, programming, machine learning, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, among other topics.
Gain work and research experience
In third year, you can do an INTRA work placement or work in one of the research groups in the School of Physical Sciences or DCU-affiliated research centres, where you’ll help with cutting-edge research projects. Either way, you’ll do your final year project in DCU’s world-class laboratories and research centres.
As a graduate, you’ll be sought after as an analyst or project manager by technology startups, semiconductor or pharmaceutical industry, banks, insurers, gaming companies, software firms, global tech firms and multinational professional services organisations. A future in middle or higher management will be a concrete option if it interests you.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Physics in itself is a gateway to a wide range of careers. Armed with highly marketable skills, you will be a powerful and versatile addition to any workforce.
Graduates from the BSc in Physics with Data Analytics will be much sought after as analysts and project managers by technology start-ups, semiconductor industries, banks, insurers, gaming companies, software firms, global tech firms and multinational professional services organisations.
A future in middle or higher management will be a concrete option for those interested in it.
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.
- Manufacturing Industries
- Medical Physics/Pharmaceutical
- Financial Services
- Software Engineering
- Education
- Technical Consultancy
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
Applicants that have completed at least one year of study at NFQ Level 6, 7 or 8 at another institution may apply to continue their studies on a similar programme at DCU. There should be substantial overlap in content between the two programmes to be considered for a transfer. Results and other supporting documentation must be submitted to CAO by the closing date of 1st July. This is a competitive application process for a small quota of advanced entry places. Offers are made on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Early application is advised. Please note: Applicants should also consider applying through the appropriate route for first year entry to the programme they are interested in. This application process is only for advanced entry.
Course Structure
You will enter BSc in Physics with Data Analytics via the Physics General Entry route (DC175), confirming your choice at the end of Year 1.
In Years 1 and 2 the basic foundations of physics, maths, and programming will be laid. This is achieved through a combination of lectures, online material, tutorials, stimulating physical and virtualized laboratory work, and projects that allow you to explore both fundamental physics along with exciting real-life technological applications.
In Year 3, you will explore fundamentals such as quantum and statistical physics, and you will have the opportunity to work in industry as part of our industrial training programme (INTRA) or optionally spend your placement working in one of the research groups in the School of Physical Sciences or DCU affiliated research centers, where you will assist with cutting-edge research projects.
In Year 4, you will learn about digital signal and image processing, quantum computing, advanced machine learning, and artificial intelligence along with additional choice modules. You will also conduct your Year 4 project in DCU’s world-class laboratories and research centers, while a second part of the final year project will team you up into interdisciplinary teams tackling industrial led real-life problems in a collaborative, challenging manner.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 06th November to the 1st July.
Please see Application Procedures or E-mail ugadmissions@dcu.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 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.
Have You Considered?
