Program Overview

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Introduction to the University of Kent

The University of Kent is a leading research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university is committed to providing high-quality education and research opportunities to its students.

Postgraduate MSc in Physics

The Postgraduate MSc in Physics is a research-focused program that provides students with advanced training in physics and astrophysics. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct research in physics and astrophysics.

Key Information

• Study mode: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: 1 year full-time
• Start date: September, January
• Location: Canterbury

Overview

The Postgraduate MSc in Physics is a research-focused program that provides students with advanced training in physics and astrophysics. The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct research in physics and astrophysics. The program is based in a research lab, where students undertake research on a project agreed with their research supervisor.

Reasons to Study Physics at Kent

• Become part of a dynamic research community and work alongside staff who produce innovative and interdisciplinary world-leading research.
• Our active research centers and groups organize high-profile, international conferences and workshops.
• Regular investment in our laboratory facilities means you can access state-of-the-art equipment and computational facilities for your research.
• Physics and Astronomy at Kent has seen an increase in its Grade Point Average (GPA) to 3.06 in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. 93% of our outputs are classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (4* and 3*).

Find an MSc Project and a Supervisor

Choose an area that interests you from our wide range of Master’s research projects. Once you have identified a project and a potential supervisor, please contact them directly by email to discuss the possibility of undertaking an MSc under their supervision.

Apply for the Course

After securing a project and a supervisor, you can proceed to make an online application for this course.

Entry Requirements

• A second-class honors degree or higher in Physics, Chemistry, or a physical sciences-related course.
• All applicants are considered on an individual basis, and additional qualifications, professional qualifications, and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
• International students: Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information.

English Language Entry Requirements

This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR. Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.

Funding

Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills, and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about. At Kent, we also recognize the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.

Fees

The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

• Full-time: £5,006 (UK), £23,500 (EU), £23,500 (International)
• Part-time: £2,503 (UK), £11,750 (EU), £11,750 (International)

Additional Costs

In addition to the tuition fees, a bench fee of approximately £750 will be applicable to this course. This fee covers the cost of specialist equipment, laboratory costs, and consumable requirements.

Study Support

Our expert teaching staff are leading researchers at the very forefront of their fields who use innovative teaching methods to provide you with high-level supervision for your research project. Their guidance, combined with extensive facilities and support staff, ensures you will get the most from your study.

Postgraduate Resources

The University has good facilities for modern research in physical sciences. These include: NMR spectrometers; powder X-ray diffractometers; X-ray fluorescence; atomic absorption in flame and graphite furnace mode; gel-permeation, gas, analytical and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry; scanning electron microscopy and EDX. We also have various microscopes, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis, dionex analysis of anions, and automated CHN analysis. For planetary science impact studies, there is a two-stage light gas gun.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Much of the department’s work is interdisciplinary, and we have successful collaborative projects with members of the Schools of Biosciences, Computing, and Engineering and Digital Arts at Kent, as well as an extensive network of international collaborations.

National and International Links

Physics at Kent has collaborations with universities around the world, particularly in Germany, France, Italy, and the USA. UK links include King's College, London, and St Bartholomew's Hospital, London. Our industrial partners include BAE Systems, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Ophthalmic Technology Inc, Canada. We also have collaborations with NASA, European Southern Observatory (ESO), and European Space Agency (ESA) scientists.

Research

The School of Physics and Astronomy has a dynamic research community, producing innovative and interdisciplinary research. Our work has application in many industries, including medical imaging, quantum computing technologies, and security.

Staff Research Interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application.

Your Future

All programs equip you with the tools you need to conduct research, solve problems, communicate effectively, and transfer skills to the workplace, which means our graduates are always in high demand. Our links with industry not only provide you with the opportunity to gain work experience during your degree but also equip you with the general and specialist skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workplace.

Career Support

Whether you want to get ahead in your current career, change lanes, or kickstart a new one – we are here to help you realize your ambition.

Fees and Funding

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status, you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

General Information

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide. Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status, please contact us.

Additional Research Fees

Please note that, due to the technical requirements of certain laboratory-based research projects, some projects incur additional research costs to support consumable requirements.

Next Steps

Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below. You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Need Help Deciding?

Our friendly team is on hand to help you with any queries you have.

Find a Supervisor

Find the right supervisor for your research project.

Open Events

Experience our stunning campuses.

International Students

Everything you need to know about applying to Kent from abroad.

Join Our Community

Stay connected with our postgraduate community.

About Us

The University of Kent is a leading research university that offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university is committed to providing high-quality education and research opportunities to its students.

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The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ

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