Physics
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Physics Summer Courses
Explore the principles that explain how the universe works with Atlas Summer Courses. Our two-week Physics summer courses, available for students aged 13–15, 16–17 and 18–24, give you the opportunity to investigate physical phenomena, develop your problem-solving skills and explore ideas beyond your usual studies.
Through academic teaching and independent study, you'll consider how physicists use mathematics, evidence and models to explain the world around us, from motion and energy to some of the fundamental questions about matter and the universe.
What's Included?
Your residential Physics summer course includes academic teaching, accommodation, meals, a certificate on completion, airport transfer from Heathrow and insurance.
Choose from Plus, Superior and Premier packages, with accommodation and additional benefits varying by package.
What Is Physics?
Physics is the study of matter, energy, forces and the fundamental principles that govern the physical world.
It seeks to explain phenomena at vastly different scales, from the behaviour of particles and atoms to the motion of planets, stars and galaxies. Mathematics, observation and experimentation all play important roles in developing and testing these explanations.
Studying physics isn't simply about learning equations. It involves understanding why physical systems behave as they do, using models to make predictions and applying logical reasoning to problems that may initially seem unfamiliar.
A Physics summer course gives you the opportunity to explore these ideas in greater depth and develop a stronger understanding of how physicists investigate the universe.
What Will You Study on a Physics Summer Course?
There is no prescribed syllabus that every student follows. Atlas Summer Courses tutors create their own syllabi, drawing on their expertise while taking the interests, abilities and learning needs of their students into account.
Depending on your course and age group, you could explore areas such as mechanics, forces, energy, waves, electricity, matter or ideas from modern physics.
You might consider questions such as:
- How can mathematics be used to describe motion?
- What determines how forces affect an object?
- How is energy transferred and conserved?
- How do waves carry energy and information?
- How can models help physicists explain phenomena we cannot directly observe?
- What can physics tell us about the fundamental nature of the universe?
The depth and approach will reflect the age group you're studying with. Tutors can also develop the course around their own areas of expertise and the interests of their students.
Any syllabus shown on our website is an example from a previous course rather than a guarantee of the exact topics you'll study.
How You'll Learn on a Physics Summer Course
How you'll study Physics depends on your age group, with each programme designed to provide an appropriate level of academic challenge and independence.
Ages 13–15
24 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in eight seminars where you'll explore physical concepts through interactive discussion, problems, case studies and activities. You'll be encouraged to ask questions, apply your knowledge and explain the reasoning behind your solutions.
12 hours of private study
Between seminars, you'll complete independent work that could involve reading, solving physics problems or preparing a presentation.
Ages 16–17 and 18–24
18 hours of small-group seminars
You'll take part in six three-hour seminars, exploring physical concepts through discussion, problems, case studies and activities.
2 hours of tutorials
You'll have one tutorial each week, providing a focused environment in which to discuss the essay or problem sheet you've been working on and receive detailed feedback.
Around 20 hours of private study
You'll complete reading in preparation for seminars and work independently on an essay or problem sheet for each tutorial.
Across all age groups, you'll be encouraged to participate actively, approach unfamiliar problems independently and develop the confidence to explain and defend your reasoning.
Who Are Our Physics Summer Courses For?
Our Physics summer courses are designed for students who are curious about how the physical world works and enjoy using logic, mathematics and problem-solving to understand it.
You don't need to know exactly which area of physics interests you before joining. The courses may particularly appeal to you if you enjoy physics and mathematics, like tackling challenging problems or are considering physics, engineering or another STEM subject in the future.
You'll develop transferable skills including quantitative reasoning, problem-solving, analysing evidence, independent study and communicating complex ideas clearly.
If you're interested in exploring physics alongside another quantitative subject, you can also discover our Mathematics and Physics summer courses.
Learn from Expert Tutors
Atlas Summer Courses tutors are experienced educators and subject specialists active across academia, industry and education.
They bring their own academic expertise and interests into their teaching and have the freedom to shape their syllabus around both their specialism and the students in their group. This allows each Physics summer course to explore different areas of the subject while maintaining an appropriate level of academic challenge.
Tutors are confirmed closer to the summer, so profiles on our website are examples of tutors who have previously taught with us rather than confirmation of who will teach your course.
Where Can Physics Take You?
Physics provides a foundation for a wide range of scientific and technical subjects.
Students interested in the field may go on to study Physics itself or related subjects such as astrophysics, engineering, mathematics, materials science or other physical sciences.
The quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills associated with Physics can also support future paths across scientific research, engineering, technology, energy, computing, data and other highly technical fields.
A Physics summer course gives you the opportunity to explore the subject before making longer-term academic decisions and discover which areas of physics interest you most.
Don’t see the course you’re looking for?
Explore our full range of courses by subject, age, and location using our course finder. With over 40 subjects available across top locations, there’s something for everyone.
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FAQs about Our Summer Courses
No. You don't usually need to have studied your chosen subject before joining an Atlas Summer Courses summer course. Courses are designed for the relevant age group, and tutors can adapt their approach to the abilities, interests and experience of the students in their group.
There is no fixed curriculum that every student follows. Our tutors create their own syllabi based on their academic expertise and the interests and learning needs of their students.
This means the exact topics can vary between courses and years. Any syllabus or topics shown on our website are examples from previous courses and shouldn't be taken as a guarantee of exactly what you'll study.
Teaching depends on your age group. Students aged 9–12 and Scholars aged 12–14 learn through structured, interactive small-group classes. Students aged 13–15 combine small-group seminars with private study, while students aged 16–17 and 18–24 experience seminars, tutorials and independent study.
Across our programmes, teaching is designed to encourage active participation, questioning and independent thinking rather than simply listening to lectures.
Your course includes your academic programme, accommodation, meals and a certificate on completion, alongside the activities and experiences included within your programme.
What's included can vary depending on the programme, age group and package you choose, so we recommend checking the individual course details for the full inclusions before applying.
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Summer Courses
Choose from over 40 subjects taught through flexible, age-appropriate programmes. Our tutors adapt their teaching methodologies to different age groups and shape course content around students’ interests, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
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