(Full time) 2021 start
Physics MSc
Coronavirus information for applicants and offer holders
We hope that by the time you’re ready to start your studies with us the situation with COVID-19 will have eased. However, please be aware, we will continue to review our courses and other elements of the student experience in response to COVID-19 and we may need to adapt our provision to ensure students remain safe. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, regularly visit our website, which we will continue to update as the situation changes www.leeds.ac.uk/covid19faqs
Overview
Our Physics MSc is highly flexible, giving you the opportunity to structure your course to meet your individual career aspirations.
The Masters degree gives you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge and skills in physics, at the forefront of research in the area. This will help to prepare you to progress to PhD study, or to work in an industrial or other business related area.
A key feature of the course is that you can choose to study a wide range of optional modules or focus on a particular area of research expertise according to your interests and future career aspirations.
You can specialise by following a pathway in Quantum Condensed Matter, Bio Soft Matter Physics, Theoretical Physics, Physics with Business or Physics Applied to Medicine or you can take a diverse range of modules to suit your interests.
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Course content
You will be required to take a total of 180 credits, with 105 credits of compulsory modules and 75 credits of optional modules.
Modules studied may include: quantum field theory; superconductivity; general relativity; medical image analysis; cosmology; bionanophysics; magnetism in condensed matter; statistical mechanics; star and planet formation; elementary particle physics; quantum matter; and photonics.
Alongside your optional modules, you will undertake an advanced and extensive research project in one of the School of Physics and Astronomy’s internationally recognised research groups. This will enable you to develop advanced skills in research planning, execution and reporting, possibly leading to publication of your work in an international journal.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- MSc Project 90 credits
- Current Research Topics in Physics 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging 10 credits
- Radionuclide Imaging 10 credits
- Medical X-ray imaging 10 credits
- X-ray Computed Tomography 10 credits
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging 15 credits
- Radionuclide Imaging 15 credits
- Medical X-ray Imaging 15 credits
- X-ray Computed Tomography 15 credits
- Cosmology 15 credits
- Photonics 15 credits
- Molecular Simulation: Theory and Practice 15 credits
- Star and Planet Formation 15 credits
- Advanced Quantum Mechanics 15 credits
- Quantum Photonics 15 credits
- Quantum Matter 15 credits
- Magnetism in Condensed Matter 15 credits
- Statistical Mechanics 15 credits
- Advanced Mechanics 15 credits
- Bionanophysics 1 15 credits
- Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics 15 credits
- Soft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals 15 credits
- Quantum Many-Body Physics 15 credits
- Winds, Bubbles and Explosions 15 credits
- Bionanophysics 2: Advanced Bionanophysics Research 15 credits
- Advanced Group Industrial Project 15 credits
- Superconductivity 15 credits
- Soft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses 15 credits
- Quantum Transport in Nanostructures 15 credits
- Quantum Field Theory 15 credits
- General Relativity 15 credits
- Quantum Information Science and Technology 15 credits
- Advanced Physics in Schools 15 credits
- Physics of Biological Systems 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Teaching methods include a combination of lectures, seminars, supervisions, problem solving, presentation of work, independent research, and group work (depending on the modules you choose to study).
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment of modules are by problem solving exams and research assignments. The project is assessed on the ability to plan and conduct research and communicate the results in written and oral format.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification 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 degree in Chemistry will normally not be considered, unless they have a strong background in mathematics.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
31 July 2021 – International applicants
10 September 2021 – UK applicants
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you will need an ATAS certificate to study this course at the University of Leeds.
To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme details and the relevant Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and descriptor. For this course, the CAH code is: CAH07-01-01 and the descriptor is: Physics.
More information and details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found at GOV.UK.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Fees
- UK: £11,250 (total)
- International: £24,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Career opportunities
The specialist pathways offered by this course (in astrophysics, bionanophysics, soft matter physics, condensed matter physics, quantum technology, optical materials or medical imaging) allow you to tailor your Masters degree and focus on a particular area of research expertise according to your interests and future career aspirations.
Physicists are highly employable due to their high level of numeracy and mathematical competence, their computer skills, and their high level of technical academic scientific knowledge. They are employed by: industry, financial sector, defence, education, and more.
This course is also a clear route to PhD level study.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
You’ll have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars.
Our annual STEM Careers Fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.
Find out more about the range of services we offer on the Careers Service website and visit MyCareer.leeds.ac.uk once you have registered as a student to access one to one support, events and job vacancies.