A physics qualification is “a passport to a well-paid career in a wide variety of sectors throughout the world”, according to a major new survey of physics graduates in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The survey found that:

• Physicists have the potential to earn very good salaries (14% of the graduates earn more than €100,000 a year)
  
• While physics graduates from Irish universities and institutes of technology mainly work in Ireland, they have found employment all over the world (Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region)
  
• Graduates with physics degrees are employed in a wide range of sectors, ranging from high-tech industries to the arts and the media
  
• Physics graduates have skill sets that are widely sought after by employers, such as problem solving, team working and creativity
  
• An increasing number of women are pursuing a career in physics: just under a third of the survey respondents were female
  
• Physics graduates often hold a further qualification in another discipline: a fifth of respondents said they also held a HDip Ed or PGCE teaching qualification while a similar proportion gained a postgraduate qualification in another discipline
  
• Graduates with a higher level physics qualification (Masters, PhD) are contributing to Ireland’s rapidly growing third-level research community in disciplines such as ICT, biotechnology and nanotechnology
  

The report, “Physics in Ireland: the brightest minds go further”, is published by the Institute of Physics in Ireland. It is based on a survey of 822 physics graduates from Irish colleges, and provides strong evidence that a degree in physics leads to well-paid employment in highly diverse fields.

Speaking at the launch of the report, the Minister for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock, said:

“This report highlights the stimulating and well-paid careers that can be enjoyed by physics graduates. With Ireland’s international competitiveness, becoming increasingly dependent on the scientific and technological skills of its workforce, it is important that more young people are encouraged to take science courses.”

Download the full report on physics in Ireland (PDF, 4MB)