The skills you gain through physics can take you into unexpected and exciting industries.

From scientific instrumentation to semiconductor design, your physics skills could open doors to careers you may not have considered.

The Semiconductor Futures Programme (Physics) is a free, three-month programme that helps you build practical digital Electronics skills and explore new career opportunities. The course has been developed by the UK Electronics Skills Foundation in partnership with Aston University.

Designed for recent physics graduates and those approaching graduation, the programme combines online learning with hands-on experience of real Electronic hardware.

No previous Electronics or FPGA experience needed.

Register your interest

Where could your physics degree take you?

You’ve developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills through your physics degree. But you might not have considered how these skills could translate into careers in Electronics and semiconductors.

There are opportunities across a wide range of industries, from developing scientific instruments to designing and testing the chips that power modern technology.

This programme will introduce you to practical digital Electronics skills relevant to several career pathways.

Scientific instrumentation and Electronics

Have you ever wondered how the sophisticated equipment used in physics laboratories is designed and built? From measurement and control systems to scientific instruments, engineers use digital Electronics to develop technologies that help us understand and interact with the world.

Potential career areas: Instrumentation engineering, test and measurement, embedded systems and Electronics engineering.

Semiconductor and digital design

Semiconductors are at the heart of modern technology, from smartphones to AI and advanced computing.

Discover how digital circuits work, how processors are designed, and how engineers use technologies such as FPGAs (programmable chips) to develop and test Electronic systems.

Potential career areas: FPGA engineering, digital hardware design and design verification.

Semiconductor manufacturing and testing

Before semiconductor devices can be used in real products, they need to be manufactured, characterised and tested. Physics graduates bring valuable knowledge of materials, measurement and physical processes. Developing your digital Electronics skills can help you explore opportunities within this part of the industry.

Potential career areas: Semiconductor testing, device characterisation and manufacturing engineering.

About the programme

What will you learn?

  • Understand how digital circuits and processors work, from logic gates to CPUs.
  • Design, simulate and test digital hardware using VHDL, a hardware design language.
  • Explore FPGA technology and how programmable chips are used in Electronics.
  • Learn how digital systems process real-world signals, including noise and timing challenges.

More than just theory

  • Programme a microcontroller using sensors, controls and displays.
  • Use professional tools to design, simulate and debug digital systems.
  • Explore practical applications, including a digital radio signal receiver.
  • Get hands-on with real FPGA hardware at a university workshop.
  • Receive your own Arduino Grove kit to experiment with.

How does the programme work?

  • Duration: Three months
  • Commitment: Up to 50 hours per month
  • Delivery: Primarily online, with structured checkpoints and an in-person university workshop
  • Cost: Free
  • Certification: UKESF certificate on completion

Who is it for?

  • Physics graduates and students approaching graduation.
  • No previous Electronics, VHDL or FPGA experience required.
  • Ideal for those interested in developing practical skills and exploring new career opportunities.
  • Suitable for anyone able to commit the required time over three months.

Register your interest here