Swansea 2025 FAQ
Do I need to be an IOP or IAPS member to join the preliminary competition?
No, you don’t need to be a member of the IOP or IAPS to take part in the UK & Ireland preliminaries. Just a bachelor’s or master’s student at at UK or Irish university.
What I need to be alone or chill-out?
We have a chill-out room that you can use if you want a quiet space or some alone time. Just mention it to a OC member and they can let you in.
Where can I register for the UK & Ireland preliminaries?
Register here! Make sure your whole team uses the same team name when registering. Each team member has to register separately as we need their induvial consent to the code of conduct. If they use a different team name (or a variation) then it becomes difficult to assign the teams correctly.
What course can I be on?
PLANCKS is a competition for undergraduate and Masters students, so anyone studying a BSc or MSc (or variation thereof e.g. MSci).
It is a competition for physics students, however (as per the IAPS regulations), this encompasses physics related subjects. Feel free to contact us if you want clarification on what degree course counts.
PhD students are encouraged to contact us to get involved with making / marking the exam!
Who can be on a team?
Teams should be made of three to four students.
Don’t worry if you can’ find a whole team you can register to join a composite team.
How many members does a team need?
Teams should be made of three to four students.
Don’t worry if you can’ find a whole team you can register to join a composite team.
Can the team members change after registration?
Yes, but only if we are acknowledged and give approval for such a change.
My teammates cancelled, what can I do?
Inform us about your situation as soon as possible and we will aim to help you.
How long does the competition last?
The exam lasts 4 hours.
However the event itself runs over multiple days with guest lectures, academic & cutural events and socials.
Where do I find previous problems and solutions?
You can find the problems and solutions at
this link.
What material can I use during the competition?
Please refer to the Exam Information section on the website.
Will a certificate of participation be issued?
Yes, each participant will receive a participation certificate.
Image © Nigel Davis, Creative commons
PLANCKS UK & IRELAND 