Degree accreditation and recognition

Accreditation

Accreditation is the means by which we monitor the content and standard of physics degrees and keep the wider community of physicists informed.

The primary aims of accreditation are to:

• provide an independent, rigorous and valid assessment of physics degree programmes
• support the standing of individual degree programmes and departments
• make it easier to promote the standing of UK and Republic of Ireland programmes throughout Europe and the rest of the world
• guarantee to potential students that a degree programme satisfies the academic requirements for IOP membership, and provides a route to Registered Scientist (RSci), Chartered Physicist (CPhys) and Chartered Scientist (CSci)
• enhance the standing of physics and physicists

Requirements for accreditation

Details of the requirements for accreditation are set out in the IOP Degree Accreditation Framework (PDF, 284KB).

We also have information on adaptations to requirements (PDF, 226KB) that was distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement was released by the IOP in November 2021 on expectations regarding assessment after COVID-19. A copy of this statement can be obtained by contacting [email protected].

If you hold an accredited degree

Holders of accredited degrees are eligible for IOP membership and can follow a route to professional registration as a RSci, CPhys and/or CSci.

Graduates of accredited integrated master’s degrees have fulfilled the educational requirements for CPhys or CSci status. Graduates of accredited bachelor’s degrees have partially fulfilled these requirements and need to demonstrate equivalence to an integrated master’s degree.

Holders of accredited one- or two-year taught master’s programmes will meet the educational requirements for CPhys or CSci status provided they also hold an IOP accredited undergraduate bachelor’s degree.

Accredited degree programmes

Successfully accredited degree programmes are listed in the Register of Accredited Courses, Issue 39 September 2023 (PDF, 320KB). Also available is Guidance on accredited programmes at the Open University (PDF, 99KB).

Further information

For further information please contact [email protected].

Recognition

The primary aims of IOP recognition are to:

• recognise the value of physics-based interdisciplinary and combined degree programmes
• support the diversity of physics-based degree programmes and departments that provide such programmes
• guarantee to potential students that a degree programme meets the educational requirements for IOP membership, and provides a route to Registered Scientist (RSci) and Chartered Scientist (CSci)
• encourage the study of physics and related subjects where they appear throughout the higher education sector

Recognised degree programmes

Recognised degree programmes are listed in the Register of Recognised Courses, Issue 22 September 2023 (PDF, 207KB).

Further information

For further information please contact [email protected].