Bachelor in Physics

Programme duration : 3 years
Delivery language : English
Degree awarded : Bachelor in Physics, awarded from Sorbonne University in Paris
Certificate awarded : Specialization in Quantum Technologies, awarded from Sorbonne University in Paris “NEW”
Accreditation : The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.
Deadline to apply : 11 August 2024
Placement test dates : 6 February 2024 | 20 February 2024 | 2 March 2024 Online | 5 March 2024 | 13 April 2024 Online | 16 April 2024 | 14 May 2024 | 18 May 2024 online | 28 May 2024 | 4 June 2024 | 22 June 2024 Online | 9 July 2024 | 16 July 2024 | 27 July 2024 online | 30 July 2024 | 5 August 2024 | 12 August 2024.
For more information, please click here

The Bachelor in Physics is a degree awarded by Sorbonne University in Paris and delivered by world-class academics in Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. A specialization certificate in Quantum Technologies will also be awarded to students by Sorbonne University in Paris upon programme completion.

It is a three-year international undergraduate programme taught in English. Its goal is to provide a robust background in Physics, with emphasis in the expertise required in Quantum Technologies, preparing graduates for the ground-breaking and global challenges of these emerging fields.

Quantum Computers, Quantum Simulation, Quantum Information, and Quantum Sensing along with their associated protocols, are all based on an entirely novel hardware. These rapidly evolving technologies will shape the future of science, industry, and everyday life. Based on intrinsic properties of Quantum Mechanics, such as superposition, entanglement and unclonability, these systems are expected to address the most complex of problems which cannot be dealt with conventional computers. Quantum Simulation will pave the way to extremely efficient modeling of many-body problems faced in Science (quantum, atomic and molecular systems), Finance (banking and investment models), Medicine (drug design, development of medical instruments), Environment (climate change and weather forecast), and many other sectors. Furthermore, Quantum Information processes lead to profoundly fast processing, storage, and transmission of information while offering completely secure protocols due to Quantum Cryptography.

The ultimate goal of this programme is to provide its graduates with a thorough literacy in Physics and especially in Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information. This expertise establishes an invaluable arsenal towards the deep understanding of the phenomena behind these emerging Quantum Technologies. The hands-on experience, independent projects, and a solid grasp of programming, prepare them to enter the workforce right after graduation, while also being equipped with a solid scientific background, allowing them to pursue graduate studies at prestigious universities worldwide.

Students will follow a programme carefully designed in close collaboration with the Sorbonne University Quantum Information Center (QICS) in Paris, which involves the study of a wide range of fundamental Physics, with special emphasis in Quantum Mechanics, Mathematics, Data Science and Computer Science courses. The programme further covers studies on Information Theory, and Quantum Information, molding our students into becoming future leaders in the various fields of Quantum Technologies.

Graduates of the Programme will earn a Bachelor degree in Physics from Sorbonne Université (France) as well as a Certificate in Quantum Technologies from the same institution.

Example of career paths followed by our graduates: Cybersecurity Engineer, Associate Software Engineer, Radiation Quality Assurance Technologist, Business Strategy and Development Executive, Data & Insights Manager, Financial Analyst, Data Analyst, Project Management Officer, Product Manager, Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant to an Ambassador, Associate Researcher, Research Assistant, Science Communicator, Event Management Officer, Advising and Resources Officer–SUAD, Public Relation Officer, Cognitive Trainer.

Graduates of the programme have the ideal background and skills to pursue master’s and PhD degrees at eminent educational institutions around the world (i.e., as per our graduates, Sorbonne Université, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, King’s College London, Texas A&M University, University of Amsterdam etc.) in fields related to Physics and its applications, like Engineering, Astrophysics, Material Science, Data Science, A.I., Medical Physics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Quantum Technologies, i.e Quantum Information, Quantum Computing, Quantum Simulation, Quantum Sensing and Quantum Cryptography.

The curriculum follows the European ECTS system.

First Year

  • Mechanics-Physics I
  • Geometric Optics
  • Mechanics-Physics II
  • Introduction to Electronics
  • Mathematics I (univariate and multivariate differential calculus)
  • Mathematics II (matrix theory and linear algebra)
  • Computer Science (Python, LaTeX)
  • Active Science
  • Chemistry
  • Introduction into the World of Work I
  • Languages: French for non-francophone students or German, Arabic, Chinese or Italian for francophone students 

Second Year

  • Thermodynamics
  • Modern Physics (basic features of quantum physics, wave mechanics, Schrodinger equation, applications)
  • Experimental Physics I (Analog/Digital Electronics and Programming)
  • Waves
  • Electromagnetism
  • Special Relativity and Advanced Mechanics
  • Numerical Physics
  • Experimental Physics II (interpretation of datasets from experimental designs or/and numerical simulations, Monte-Carlo methods)
  • Mathematics for Physics I (higher dimensional calculus)
  • Mathematics for Physics II (probability, statistics and information theory)
  • Mathematics for Physics III (Cauchy problems for ordinary differential equations and systems of linear ordinary differential equations)
  • Languages: French for non-francophone students or German, Arabic, Chinese or Italian for francophone students 

Third Year

  • Quantum Physics I (postulates of Quantum Physics, Dirac notation, two-level systems and their application to quantum information)
  • Optics and Electromagnetism
  • Experimental Physics III (diverse techniques and instruments and their physical processes)
  • Spectroscopy (analytical techniques based on spectroscopy)
  • Quantum Physics II (hydrogen atom, angular momentum in quantum mechanics, stationary perturbation theory)
  • Thermostatistics
  • Experimental and Numerical Physics (process of experimentally acquired spectra, development of software on MatLab for processing spectra, creation of interface for statistical approach for quantitative/sorting analysis)
  • Astrophysics
  • Quantum Information (density operators – entanglement, imperfect systems – examples based on two-level systems, quantum circuits and one- and two-qubit gates, quantum algorithms – particularly Grover’s and Shor’s – and error correction with many examples)
  • Mathematics for Physics IV (holomorphic functions of one complex variable and Fourier transform)
  • Introduction to the World of Work II
  • Languages: French for non-francophone students or German, Arabic, Chinese or Italian for francophone students.
  • Mandatory Internship (5-6 weeks in a research institute or company, either in the UAE, or internationally, dedicated to a particular scientific topic)
Admission to this programme is very selective; the following are the minimal criteria to apply for admission into its foundation year:

  • High-School with a minimum average of 80%; (General Stream); 75% (Advanced stream/ Elite Stream/ Science stream or equivalent)
  • Recent EmSAT-English with a Minimum score of 1250 with a validity of 18 months
    or valid Academic-IELTS 5.5 with a validity of 2 years
    or valid TOEFL-IBT 71 with a validity of 2 years
  • Recent EmSAT-Mathematics with a score at or above 1500
    or High School in Mathematics at or above 80% and an admission test for Foundation year Sciences administered by the University
  • Recent EmSat Physics with score at or above 900
    or Physics subject in school with minimum 80% average (or equivalent) and admission test for foundation year administered by the university

All admissions in the Science programmes are conditional on the successful completion of the Foundation Year in Sciences.

Only applicants holding a French Baccalaureate with minimum average of 12 out of 20 are eligibleto be considered for direct entry in the programmes. For such applicants the following are minimal criteria to apply for direct entry in the programmes:

  • Recent EmSAT-English with a Minimum score of 1250
    or valid Academic-IELTS 5.5
    or valid TOEFL-IBT 71
  • A minimum score of 12 out of 20 in the specialty “Mathématiques Spéciales” and/or the specialty “Mathématiques expertes”
    or Recent EmSAT-Mathematics with a score at or above 1700
    or Admission test for L1 administered by the University
  • Physics subject in school with minimum average 12 out of 20
    or Recent EmSat Physics with score at or above 900
    or Admission test for L1 administered by the university

Admission is subject to capacity constraints. Applicant might, therefore, be placed on a waiting list.

Other Countries Education’s Systems

Conditions apply on other foreign curriculums according to the admission’s policy set by Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Please contact the Student Recruitment office by email: admissions@sorbonne.ae for more details.

Programme tuition fees (over 3 years):
AED 215,100 (approximately US$ 58,615)
Payment of fees:
click here

Scholarships*

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Scholarship for Emirati students

Admitted Emirati nationals and children of Emirati mothers’ are awarded a full scholarship covering tuition and study related fees for their Bachelor Programmes (and Foundation year, if any)

Current high school students may apply through NAPO, whereas the graduates of previous years can apply on the Apply Now page.

Academic Excellence Scholarships (for the 1st semester of enrolment)

• 15% scholarship on tuition for the 1st semester of joining

New joiners with excellent academic results in high school are eligible following the below criteria. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

  • Government schools: 90% in the advanced stream, or 95% in the general stream.
  • American system: CGPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 or minimum average of 90%.
  • British system: “A” grade or higher in three “AS-Level” subjects or “A” in the equivalent “A-Level” Subjects, plus “B” grade or higher in six O level subjects.
  • SABIS: minimum average of 85%.
  • International Baccalaureate: IB diploma with minimum score of 5 out of 7 in all courses – three of those subjects must be higher-level courses.
  • French Baccalaureate: minimum average of 14 out of 20.

Academic Excellence Scholarship (starting from the 2nd semester of enrolment)

• 25%-75% Academic Excellence Scholarship

Based on the academic results obtained during the previous semester at SUAD, students are eligible to the academic excellence scholarship granted semester by semester. The scholarship scheme is progressive (25% to 75% and the minimum average grade to be eligible is 12/20. A specific scholarship is available for the 2nd semester of the Foundation Year. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Other Scholarships

10% French Curriculum Schools Scholarship for the 1st semester of enrolment

Students holding a French baccalaureate obtained in one of the GCC countries are eligible for a 10% discount for their first semester. Starting from the second semester, they can apply for the 25%-75% academic excellence scholarship scheme.

Sponsored scholarships

Total, Chalhoub and Ardian Foundation, offer specific scholarships based on academic excellence and/or financial circumstances to selected students.

The deadline for submitting an application is communicated by University email each semester to all enrolled students. Applications are submitted via the online application form. Incomplete and late applications will not be assessed.

Scholarships can’t be combined. For more information, please contact admissions@sorbonne.ae

Preferential rate: 10% Family discount

Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programme are eligible for a 10% discount.

*Conditions apply

For more information, please contact:

The Career Centre
Tel: +971 (0) 2 656 9104/9342
Email: careercentre@sorbonne.ae