MSc Physics

Programme overview

Entry requirements

• A bachelor degree with 2:1 (hons) in physics or a related subject (such as geophysics, natural sciences, or mathematics).
  
  Applicants with engineering degrees will normally not be considered, unless they have a strong background in at least two of the following areas: astrophysics, quantum physics, biophysics, soft matter, or condensed matter.
  
  Applicants with a chemistry degree will normally not be considered, unless they have a strong background in mathematics.
• All applicants will need to have GCSE English Language at grade C or above, or an appropriate English language qualification.
  We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
  

Programme specification

This programme will allow students to broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills in Physics at the forefront of research in the discipline, to attain a masters qualification that prepares them for further research within academia (PhD) or provides the experience to work in an industrial or other business related area.

Students can choose to study a wide range of optional modules or focus on a particular area of research expertise in the school, according to their interests and future career aspirations.

It is these ‘Pathways’ which are a feature of the programme. Under the umbrella of an MSc in Physics students can specialise in Bionanophysics, Soft Matter Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Quantum Technology, Optical Materials or Medical Imaging. Or they can take a diverse range of modules to suit their interests and keep their options open. Students will be advised of suitable module choices at the start of the programme.

Running alongside these modules students will undertake an advanced and extensive research project in one of the school’s internationally recognised research groups. This will enable the student to develop advanced skills in research planning, execution and reporting, possibly leading to publication of their work in an international journal.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
PHAS5010M	MSc Project	90	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5050M	Current Research Topics in Physics	15	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study 75 credits from the following optional modules:

Code	Title	Credits	Semester	Pass for Progression
MEDP5312M	Magnetic Resonance Imaging	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MEDP5331M	Medical X-ray Imaging	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
MEDP5332M	X-ray Computed Tomography	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5100M	Winds, Bubbles and Explosions	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5160M	The Physics of Fluids	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5200M	Soft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5210M	Soft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5300M	Superconductivity	15	Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
PHAS5310M	Nanomagnetism	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5320M	Nobel Physics in Materials Science	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5400M	Quantum Many-Body Physics	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5410M	Quantum Information Science and Technology	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5420M	Quantum Field Theory	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5430M	Quantum Photonics	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5440M	Advanced Quantum Information Theory	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHAS5450M	Advanced Quantum Physics	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5500M	Advanced Bionanophysics Research	15	Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHAS5510M	Physics of Biological Systems	15	Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Last updated: 12/05/2026 16:36:54

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