The UK has a thriving photonics sector; worth over £12bn, it is growing at twice the speed of the rest of the economy. A shortage of trained photonics experts means you’ll be sought after for industry R&D roles, where your knowledge of lasers, optical components and nanofabrication techniques will be in great demand. Or you’ll be well equipped for further research at PhD level. Many of our Physics with Photonics students continue their studies within Southampton’s prestigious Optoelectronics Research Centre before going on to successful industry careers.
If you decide on a career outside physics, your computing, statistical analysis, communication and problem solving skills will impress recruiters in almost any profession. Employers will recognise your degree as a sign that you are an independent thinker who is intellectually curious, insightful and ready for a challenge.
If you’re not sure which career path is right for you, we’ll offer the support you need to help you decide. We run a programme of career-focused sessions in year two, designed specially for physics students and timetabled to fit in with your studies. They include application and interview workshops, as well as talks from visiting professionals. We can also help you to find a paid summer placement on which you could gain industry experience of photonics research, through the South East Physics Network scheme.
Our graduates work in the private and public sectors, in government, defence, finance, business, and industry. Here are just some of the roles they have secured: