The British Physics Olympiad is one of the UK’s most prestigious physics competitions for secondary school students. In contrast to standard GCSE and A Level Physics exams, which typically test students’ abilities to recall formulae or standard exam techniques, the BPhO tests a deeper understanding of the subject and complex problem-solving ability.
The BPhO is organised by Oxford Physics, with the support of a large team of volunteer teachers and academics. The results of the exam are used to help select the UK team for the International Physics Olympiad, which features teams from between 80 and 90 countries. As of recently, there are three rounds for the BPhO: Round 0, which was introduced due to an increasing number of entries over the past few years, Round 1, which is now sat by around 1500 students, and Round 2, which only a select handful of students are invited to take.
These papers are designed to be much more challenging than standard GCSE and A Level Physics exams, often containing questions that require multiple steps and various different topics. Marks are awarded for both the final answer and the reasoning presented by the candidates.
Who Can Take Part in the Physics Olympiad?
The British Physics Olympiad is open to UK-based students in Year 13 or below, with most candidates being A Level students in Years 12 and 13. Exceptionally strong students in earlier years may also take part, but only teachers are able to enter them.
Students must initially sit Round 0 before progressing further. There is no requirement to sit another competition beforehand, though students who perform well in A Level Physics or have entered other national physics competitions, such as the Junior, Intermediate or Senior Physics Challenge, are often encouraged to participate. The highest scoring students from Round 0 are invited to take Round 1, and this process repeats for a smaller number of students who sit the Round 2 exam.
Schools play a vital role in registering candidates and supporting overall preparation for the BPhO. Home-educated students may also enter via an approved examination centre.
BPhO Round 0, Round 1 and Round 2 – What’s the Difference?
BPhO Round 0 is sat by several thousand students across the UK, most recently in the middle of October. It is a non-calculator paper, though students may use the standard A Level Physics formula booklet. The paper consists of 25 multiple-choice questions, testing a mixture of problem solving, knowledge and calculation. In terms of difficulty, it varies from intermediate A Level questions to slightly beyond A Level. This is the simplest paper of the three rounds, and it is used more as selection criteria for entry into Round 1. The majority of students are in Year 13, though some are in Year 12 and below.
The top 1500 to 2000 students from Round 0 are then invited to take the Round 1 exam, which takes place in the middle of November. Round 1 was recently shortened in length; students now have 2 hours to complete it. It contains two sections; Section 1 contains a set of short questions, whereas Section 2 has more thematic questions which require longer answers.
The most successful students from Round 1 are then invited to Round 2, which takes place in January. This paper contains the most challenging questions; it is 3 hours long, and typically has 4 questions (each with multiple sub-parts). Material-wise, the topics are often familiar to students taking A Level Physics, but are extended. A small number of students are then invited to join the Oxford Training Camp, which takes place in April, for the International Physics Olympiad.
Awards and Recognition in the British Physics Olympiad
There are several levels of awards available in both BPhO Round 1 and Round 2, depending on performance. For Round 1, here are the approximate numbers for certificates awarded to students:
- 150 - Top Gold
- 200 - Gold
- 400 - Silver
- 400 - Bronze I
- 400 - Bronze II
- 1000 - Commendations
Typically, only students receiving top gold and gold certificates are invited to Round 2. For this round, the top third of students receive gold certificates, the next third receive silver and the final third receive bronze. All students who take part receive a participation certificate.
Why is the BPhO Important and how does it help with university applications?
The British Physics Olympiad is highly valued by universities, providing evidence of genuine academic curiosity and advanced problem-solving ability. A strong BPhO result demonstrates that a student can reason independently, apply theory flexibly and communicate complex ideas clearly — all essential skills for physics, engineering and similar degrees.
Participation is particularly beneficial for applicants to more competitive universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College, where admissions tutors place emphasis on problem-solving ability beyond the A Level syllabus. Additionally, the style of reasoning required in the BPhO closely mirrors the thinking expected in Oxbridge interviews.
Even without top awards, participation in the BPhO shows commitment to physics beyond the classroom and can significantly strengthen a personal statement.
What Topics Appear in the British Physics Olympiad?
Unlike standard A Level exams, the British Physics Olympiad does not follow a particular syllabus. However, questions are typically drawn from core areas of A Level Physics, often applied in unfamiliar and demanding ways, and increasing in difficulty as the rounds progress. These topics may include:
- Mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, circular motion)
- Electricity and magnetism
- Waves and oscillations
- Thermal physics
- Basic quantum and nuclear physics
How to Prepare for the British Physics Olympiad
Preparing for the BPhO is different from revising for standard GCSE and A Level exams. Rather than memorising formulas, students must develop confidence in applying principles to unfamiliar questions. A familiarity with the A Level syllabus is certainly useful for students however, particularly in the earlier rounds.
Working through BPhO Round 1 and Round 2 past papers is one of the most effective preparation methods. Students should practise writing full, logical solutions and explaining their reasoning clearly.
These problems are designed to take students time, particularly in the latter rounds. It is not uncommon for students to explore several approaches to a question before finding a productive path to the answer, so persistence is key. While reviewing given solutions is essential, students benefit more when they attempt problems fully before consulting mark schemes.
Consistent preparation over several months is much more effective than short-term cramming, as developing a way to approach these sorts of questions and developing problem-solving skills takes time.
Recommended Resources
Useful resources for BPhO preparation include:
- British Physics Olympiad Round 1 and 2 past papers (all available online)
- A Level Physics textbooks
- Books including Problems in Physics by I.E. Irodov
- Online physics forums and Olympiad discussion communities
Attending physics clubs, extension classes or working with an experienced Physics tutor can also be very beneficial.
FAQs
How hard is the BPhO?
The BPhO is much more challenging than A Level Physics exams, particularly as the rounds progress. Questions require deep understanding, multi-step reasoning and clear written explanations.
How do you qualify for BPhO?
Students are entered directly by a schoolteacher or centre for Round 0. High scorers may be invited to later rounds.
Is BPhO useful for Oxbridge?
BPhO participation is well-respected and aligns closely with the style of problem-solving expected at Oxbridge interviews. It can also show a student’s commitment to the subject.
How long should you prepare for?
Ideally, students should prepare steadily over six to twelve months, focusing initially on familiarisation with the A Level Physics syllabus, followed by more advanced problem-solving questions that require extended knowledge and insight.
Can Year 9 students aim for BPhO?
Most participants are in Year 13, though strong younger students often begin with physics enrichment programmes before progressing to the BPhO.
Tutors for the Physics Olympiad
For many years, Keystone have provided specialist Physics tutors for the British Physics Olympiad, who have extensive experience with Olympiad-style problem solving and can guide students through the entire process. For more details on how Keystone can help with BPhO preparation, feel free to call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.