Overview

The Physics degree at Duke University is designed to acquaint you with the fundamental aspects of our description of nature and to develop analytic and laboratory skills. A well planned degree with a major in physics gives you a solid background in the art of modern day science and prepares you for a wide array of opportunities.

Key Features

You might have wondered how the light goes on when you flip the light switch or thought about whether outer space can be truly empty, or watched a television program about string theory, or browsed through a book about the crazy aspects of quantum mechanics, or had a heated discussion with a friend about the concept of time, or read a news article about the huge black holes that exist at the center of each galaxy, or wondered why clouds have irregular fractal shapes. But is it worth the effort to take a physics course or to become a physics major to learn about these ideas in detail?

It's definitely worth the effort to find out more. Browse the menu items on the right to learn about requirements and opportunities for majors and minors in physics and biophysics.

Careers

According to national research gathered by the Statistics Research Center at the American Institute of Physics, and published on the Society of Physics Students website, nearly half of scholars who receive their physics bachelor's degree are currently entering the workforce, mostly in the private sector. Others go on to graduate study in physics or astronomy (29%), engineering (9%), or another area.

For that majority who entered the workforce, about half of them took jobs in the private sector — most notably holding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) positions.

The other half went on to work for colleges or universities (many in research or IT positions), took civilian government jobs (including national labs with many related to defense or energy), worked in branched of the active military (notably in aviation or nuclear power), or become high school teachers.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Physics

Experimental Physics

Optics and Modern Physics

Intermediate Mechanics

Electricity and Magnetism

Thermal Physics

Advanced Physics Laboratory and Seminar

Quantum Mechanics

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

130

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Durham, United States

Disciplines

Physics View 1439 other Bachelors in Physics in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

130

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Transcripts

Duke will consider official scores as well as scores that are self-reported on the application. Submitting essay scores from the ACT and/or SAT is optional.

If you are a non-native English speaker or if you are not currently studying in an English-medium curriculum, Duke recommends but do not require that you take an English proficiency test.

Duke requires three letters of recommendation for each applicant: one from your school counselor and two from teachers who have taught you in major academic courses (English, mathematics, social studies, sciences, foreign languages), preferably within the last two years of secondary school.

Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application include a one-page personal essay as well as short essay questions specific to Duke.

Application Fee: $85.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

70265 USD / year

≈ 70265 USD / year
Out-of-State

70265 USD / year

≈ 70265 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

70265 USD / year

≈ 70265 USD / year

Living costs

Durham

United States

990 - 1670 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Physics.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Key Features

Careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Durham

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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