Welcome to the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering. This Department encompasses all of our work in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Astrophysics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Energy, Smart Materials, Microelectronics, and Communications (including Satellite Communications).
A fantastic university experience
The Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University offers high-quality courses taught in specialist labs and workshops. We have a variety of courses (click here for details) including a range of undergraduate degree courses in:
as well as integrated-masters-level courses in:
Specialist Labs and Facilities
We have a range of state-of-the-art specialist laboratories and facilities that will support you, and we have spent £10million updating these in recent years (including a £6.7million capital investment (HEFCE STEM) including a new Scanning Electron Microscope, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer and 3D printing facilities, and a £2million investment here). Whether your subject matter is mathematics, physics, astrophysics or electrical engineering, our spectacular specialist labs and facilities will help you reach your potential.
Accredited, Relevant, Supportive Degree Courses
Our Mathematics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering degree courses equip students with the skills and expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly-advancing technological landscape. All our degrees are accredited by relevant Professional Bodies, including the:
- IMA/Institute of Mathematics and its Applications;
- IOP/Institute of Physics;
- IET/Institution of Engineering and Technology.
With high quality skills-based, accredited courses and a supportive learning environment, we're confident you'll feel right at home studying with us. You can be sure of developing all the skills and knowledge you need to make an immediate impact, whatever your career aspirations. We work closely with employers to design and update our courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. See here for further details.
Inspiring Lecturers pioneering world-leading research
Our students have the opportunity to learn from inspiring and passionate academics who are pioneers in their areas of expertise, producing world-leading research. Click here to see details of our research areas. This research expertise feeds into our education offer and so, coupled with the fact that our academic staff are committed to delivering an outstanding teaching experience, this means your degree experience is enriched, up-to-date and relevant.
Our undergraduate degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering lay a robust foundation, blending theoretical understanding with practical application. On the other hand, our postgraduate degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering offer specialized knowledge and research opportunities, propelling students into the forefront of innovation in their respective fields. Northumbria's commitment to academic rigor, coupled with its state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated faculty, ensures that students pursuing both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Mathematics, Physics, and Electrical Engineering are poised for a future of intellectual prowess and professional success.
Some of our recent research success stories include:
- Northumbria University preparing for launch after £5million boost for satellite communications research
- Minister for Science opens £2million investment in region’s Engineering and Environment students
- Northumbria secures £1million investment in research facilities from the Wolfson Foundation
- We were absolutely delighted to be awarded University of the Year by Times Higher Education. This award recognised Northumbria as a research-intensive university that unlocks potential for all, changing lives regionally, nationally and internationally.
- Results from the Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) show Northumbria University with the biggest rise in research power ranking of any UK university. Northumbria recorded exceptional results, with world-class strength across all subjects.
- Ranked 25th in the UK for research power in engineering in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, with 90% of our research outputs rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
- Ranked in the world top-250 for Engineering and Technology in the Times Higher Education's World University subject rankings 2022.
- Our Mathematics programmes have been ranked in the top 30 in the country in the most recent Guardian and Times university guides.
- Ranked 54th in the UK for Electronic and Electrical Engineering in The Guardian University Guide 2024
- External funders of our research include Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), Medical Research Council (MRC), Leverhulme Trust, US Air Force, and Horizon2020.
- Part of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) MAGIC network, a consortium of 20 UK universities, offering research students the opportunity to take part in keynote lectures and events exploring mathematics.
- Continuous accreditation over the last 30 years from the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) for our Electrical Engineering courses. Our Physics courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP). Our Mathematics courses are accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA).
- Sectoral Employer Advisory Board includes Akzo Nobel, Balfour Beatty, Caterpillar, BAE Systems, British Engines, Laing O’Rourke, Mott MacDonald, Nissan, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Wilmott Dixon.
- We attract students from around the world, including China, India, Pakistan and the Middle East, with collaborative ventures in teaching with China and Malaysia and strong international research collaborations across Europe, Africa, Asia and the USA.
- Benefitting from a £6.7m capital investment (HEFCE STEM) including a new Scanning Electron Microscope, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer and 3D printing facilities, in addition to existing specialist laboratories, including Smart Materials and Surfaces, Mathematical Modelling, Optical Communications and Microwave Technology.
- Strong links with industrial partners and an excellent record of securing and delivering Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), Research and Development collaborative bids and contract research.
- Addressing equality and diversity through support of the London Mathematical Society’s Good Practice Scheme, the Institute of Physics’ Project Juno, Athena Swan and Northumbria University’s NUSTEM project.
- Our Astrophysics research is part of the Science & Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) funded UK Partnership in the $300m Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) with the US National Science Foundation (NSF), National Solar Observatory (NSO), NASA and Lockheed-Martin.
Click the tabs on the right-hand-side to find out more about our: