Like a bather on a beach watching the approach of a big wave, UK university physics departments are preparing for the arrival of the first cohort of students with GCSE qualifications. Will these new students be different? Will they be able to cope with first-year courses? More to the point, will Physics departments be able to cope with the need to amend their courses at the same time as they are hit by worsening student/staff ratios and financial belt-tightening?