(Full time) 2022 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 tailor your course towards your individual career aspirations. Supported by our world-leading physics research, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge through studying a range of topics taught by researchers who are actively working in those fields.
The diverse choice of optional modules means you can focus your studies on your own interests. Alternatively, we offer five suggested pathways focused on individual specialisms:
Quantum Condensed Matter
Bio Soft Matter Physics
Theoretical Physics
Physics with Business
Physics Applied to Medicine
You’ll also 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. This will help to prepare you to progress to PhD study, or to work in an industrial or other business-related area.
Course highlights
Follow a specialised pathway or take your pick from a diverse range of optional modules.
Conduct an extensive research project alongside one of our internationally recognised research groups.
During your project, you will have access to our specialist facilities and purpose-built laboratories.
Our courses are shaped by our world-leading research in areas such as astrophysics, condensed matter, soft matter, molecular and nanoscale physics, education and theoretical physics.
You'll study in the Sir William Henry Bragg building, a brand-new development providing excellent facilities and teaching spaces for an outstanding student experience.
Programme team
The Programme Leader, Dr Adam Sweetman, is group leader of the high-resolution scanning probe group at the University of Leeds. He holds a Royal Society University Research Fellowship – and his research interests are focused on the understanding and quantifying of the interactions that occur between single atoms and molecules via the use of low temperature scanning probe microscopes, and their simulation via ab-initio calculations.
The wider programme team is made up of researchers and academics from the School of Physics and Astronomy who have extensive expertise across a variety of physics disciplines.
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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.
A large portion of your course is your choice of optional modules, and the breadth of physics expertise available at Leeds means that you’re able to study a diverse range of topics (examples listed below). You will be required to take a total of 180 credits – 75 credits from optional modules, while the remaining 105 credits will consist of your independent research project and the Current Research Topics in Physics module.
Project work
Using the knowledge you have gained from the core modules, you will be ideally positioned to choose an exciting problem to investigate. This project will contribute 50% of the mark for your degree, and we will help you to select a topic in an area that interests and motivates you. This project will provide you with the key experience in independent research you need to advance your career.
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.
Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Physics MSc module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.
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
- 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).
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.
You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.
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) 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.
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).
We are now offering online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. To find out more, read Online Academic English pre-sessional (10 weeks) and Online Academic English pre-sessional (6 weeks).
Read about differences between our online and on-campus summer pre-sessionals.
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.
29 July 2022 – International applicants
9 September 2022 – 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. Your supervisor will be Adam Sweetman.
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.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022
Fees
- UK: £11,500 (total)
- International: £25,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
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
A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.
The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2021 report.
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.
Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.
Further study
Many of our graduates have secured positions on PhD programmes in the UK and internationally. We offer a wide range of PhD programmes, offering many opportunities for students graduating from this MSc course.
Careers support
At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.
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 careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.
You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.
There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.