British Physics Olympiad (BPhO)

The British Physics Olympiad is a charitable trust overseen by a committee of trustees. It was initiated in 1979,and has been used as a qualifier for selection into the UK Physics Team for the International Physics Olympiad from 1983. The BPhO is hosted by University of Oxford, the Institute of Physics (IOP), and the Odgen Trust with offices located in the physics department of the University of Oxford. All problems are proof-based, so students will need to apply a large range of knowledge, and can choose which question to answer. Top British candidates will have the opportunities to be chosen for the national team.

Since 2016, Chinese and British students will compete together for the top 3 awards. Please note that Chinese students can not represent the UK national team. However, awarded students will have the chance to participate in the British Physics Olympiad Camp (China).

2024 BPhO China Camp
The BPhO Camp aims to develop future physicists by offering different experiment-based learning opportunities. These activities will increase students' interest for exploring physics further. The camp will help improve their key skills in learning physics, such as observation and logical thinking skills. Head coaches from the UK will bring in the most updated learning materials and teaching methods to China. Most are experienced physics professors from top universities such as the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, as well as head teachers from top high schools. We believe this will become one of the most unique physics learning experiences for students in China.

Administration

The University of Oxford

Institute of Physics (IOP)

Sponsorship

Rolls-Royce

the Ogden Trust

Maple Soft

Royal Astronomical Society

Event and training

The University of Cambridge

The University of Oxford

National Physical Laboratory

Texas Instrument

Language

English

Date

Nov. 6, 2024 (Wed.) 17:00-19:40 (160 minutes for writing the exam)

Qualifying Students

High school students

Format

Individual test

Type

Proof questions

Exam problems

Two sets of problems; Section 1 and Section 2

Section 1: A maximum of 50 marks can be awarded for Section 1. There is a total of ≈ 84 marks allocated to the problems of Question 1 which makes up the whole of Section 1. (if competitors answer problems totaling more than 50 points, then points from incorrect answers will be ignored and points from correct answers will be added together).
Section 2: Each question in Section 2 is out of 25, with a maximum of 50 marks from two questions. Competitors only need to choose 2 problems to solve.
The maximum score for the British Physics Olympiad is 100 points.

Requirements

The British Physics Olympiad committee focuses on the logic of solving the problem, so for each problem competitors need to give detailed steps proving their answers. If competitors only show the correct answer without their working out, they will not be awarded any points. If competitors write the incorrect answer, but show correct proofs, then they will be awarded points according to the detail of steps shown.

Exam locations

Online test at schools only

Awards

Global awards:

Top Gold
Gold
Silver
Bronze Ⅰ
Bronze Ⅱ

The Camp aims to develop future physicists by offering different experiment-based learning opportunities. These activities will increase students' interest for exploring physics further. The camp will help improve their key skills in learning physics, such as observation and logical thinking skills. Head coaches from the UK will bring in the most updated learning materials and teaching methods to China. Most are experienced physics professors from top universities such as the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, as well as head teachers from top high schools. We believe this will become one of the most unique physics learning experiences for students in China.

BPhO Round 2 is the last round for the selection of the UK national team,it is a charitable trust overseen by a committee of trustees. BPhO Round 2 is more difficult than the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO Round 1). In the UK, only the top students who achieve the qualifying score in the British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) are invited to participate. Top British candidates will have the opportunities to be chosen for the national team.

Since 2021, Students all over the world will compete together for the awards. Please note that Chinese students can not represent the UK national team. However, award winners will have the chance to participate in the British Physics Olympiad Camp (China).

Date:Feb. 22, 2025 (Sat.) 14:00-17:00
Locations:Online test at schools only
Language:English
Format:Proof questions
Participants:Top students who achieve the qualifying score in BPhO Round 1
Awards：(The British Organizing Committee marks the papers and evaluates the awards according to the cut-off scores)
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
Registration Deadline: Feb. 11, 2025

1、Can the students bring a calculator to BPhO?

Students can use calculators, but not programmable calculators (ones which include 'solve' or 'integration' functions or the display shows more than 3 lines)

2、Can the students bring a dictionary to BPhO?

The students can bring a printed version dictionary.

3、Refund policy

If, for some reason, the student is unable to attend after paying the fee, please contact us. If you apply before the registration deadline, 25% of the registration fee will be deducted as academic materials and service fees. If you apply after the registration deadline, no refund will be given.