| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
Imperial College London's MSci Physics program offers a comprehensive understanding of physics through tailored learning, cutting-edge research, practical skills development, and a Master's-level year. Tailored to career aspirations, it prepares students for technical jobs, further study, and various other career paths in physics and related fields. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, problem-solving, and independent learning, leading to professional accreditation and the Associateship of the Royal College of Science.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSci Physics program at Imperial College London is a four-year, professionally accredited degree that provides a comprehensive understanding of both fundamental and applied physics. It offers students an excellent grounding in a range of physics, mathematics, and experimental methods, preparing them for advanced study or a career in the field. The program emphasizes:
- Tailored Learning: Students can tailor their studies to suit their career needs by choosing from a range of optional modules.
- Cutting-Edge Research: Students benefit from access to the cutting-edge research being carried out by internationally recognized research groups at Imperial.
- Practical Skills Development: Extensive laboratory work helps students gain expertise in using apparatus, conducting experiments, interpreting data, problem-solving, and scientific presentation.
- Computing Skills Enhancement: The program augments students' programming skills in Python.
- Master's Level Study: The MSci program builds upon the BSc curriculum by incorporating an integrated year of study at the Master's level, including a module preparing students for the research environment.
- Final-Year Project: Students culminate their studies with a substantial final-year project, allowing them to explore an area of physics in detail.
Outline:
Year 1:
- Core Modules:
- Practical Physics: Laboratory, Computing and Problem Solving
- Vector Fields, Electricity and Magnetism
- Mechanics and Relativity
- Oscillations and Waves
- Statistics of Measurement and the Summer Project
- Optional Modules:
- Advanced Electronics
- Mathematical Analysis
Year 2:
- Core Modules:
- Advanced Practical Physics
- Thermal Physics and the Structure of Matter
- Differential Equations and Electromagnetism
- Quantum Physics
- I-Explore Module: Students choose from a range of subjects hosted outside the department.
- Optional Modules:
- Communicating Physics
- Suns, Stars and Planets
- Mathematical Methods
- Environmental Physics
Year 3:
- Core Modules:
- Third Year Physics Laboratory
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Comprehensives
- Solid State Physics
- Optional Modules (Group A):
- Lasers
- Physics of Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy
- Principles of Instrumentation
- Plasma Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Complexity and Networks
- Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
- Computational Physics
- Astrophysics
- Group Theory
- Optional Modules (Projects):
- Year 3 Project
- Essay Project
Year 4:
- Core Modules:
- Research Interfaces
- MSci Project
- Optional Modules:
- Quantum Field Theory
- Advanced Particle Physics
- General Relativity
- Cosmology
- Hydrodynamics
- Space Physics
- Laser Technology
- Unification - The Standard Model
- Quantum Theory of Matter
- Quantum Optics
- Introduction to Plasmonics and Metamaterials
- Information Theory
- Entrepreneurship for Physicists
- Concepts in Device Physics
- Atmospheric Physics
- Optical Communications Physics
Year 1 (Physics with a Year Abroad):
- Core Modules: Same as Year 1 for the standard Physics MSci program.
- Optional Modules:
- Advanced Electronics
- Mathematical Analysis
- Horizons Language (relevant to the Year Abroad destination)
Year 2 (Physics with a Year Abroad):
- Core Modules: Same as Year 2 for the standard Physics MSci program.
- I-Explore Module: Students choose from a range of subjects hosted outside the department or continue with their Horizons Language module.
- Optional Modules: Same as Year 2 for the standard Physics MSci program.
Year 3 (Physics with a Year Abroad):
- Year Abroad: Students complete an agreed program of study at an approved university in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, or the USA. This is an integrated year abroad, and the grades achieved count towards the Imperial degree. Students carry out a Master's level project at the host institution and choose from a selection of the host institution's courses.
Year 4 (Physics with a Year Abroad):
- Core Modules: Same as Year 4 for the standard Physics MSci program.
- Optional Modules: Same as Year 4 for the standard Physics MSci program.
Assessment:
The assessment methods vary across the program's years and modules. Common assessment methods include:
- Coursework: This includes computing reports, laboratory reports, mastery tests, oral presentations, poster presentations, project reports, progress tests, and quizzes.
- Practical: This includes laboratory work and practical assessments. The balance of assessment methods varies across the years:
- Year 1: 25% Coursework, 15% Practical, 60% Written Examination
- Year 2: 20% Coursework, 10% Practical, 70% Written Examination
- Year 3: 15% Coursework, 15% Practical, 70% Written Examination
- Year 4: 35% Coursework, 20% Practical, 45% Written Examination
Teaching:
The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures: These provide a structured overview of the course material.
- Tutorials: These offer smaller group sessions for students to discuss and clarify concepts.
- Laboratory Classes: These provide hands-on experience with experiments and data analysis.
- Computing Labs: These provide opportunities for students to develop their programming skills.
- Project Work: This allows students to delve deeper into specific areas of physics.
- Virtual Learning Environment: This provides access to course materials, announcements, and online resources.
- Independent Learning: Students are expected to engage in independent study to supplement classroom learning.
Careers:
The MSci Physics program prepares students for a wide range of careers in physics and related fields.
- Traditional Technical Jobs: Graduates often move into traditional technical jobs that leverage their analytical and problem-solving skills. These include roles in oil and gas, telecommunications, business consultancy, banking, and finance.
- Other Career Paths: Other potential career prospects include the civil service, cyber risk modeling, the energy industry, and the automotive industry.
- Further Study: Approximately half of Imperial students pursue MSc or PhD degrees.
Other:
- Professional Accreditation: The MSci Physics program is professionally accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP). This accreditation demonstrates that graduates have achieved an industry-recognized standard of competency and provides international recognition of their qualifications.
- Chartered Physicist (CPhys): The MSci Physics courses fully satisfy the academic requirements for professional registration as a Chartered Physicist (CPhys).
- Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS): Graduates receive the Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS) upon completion of the course.
- Year Abroad: The Physics with a Year Abroad program offers students the opportunity to study at one of Imperial's partner universities abroad. This provides valuable international experience and exposure to different research environments.
- Language Requirement: For the Year Abroad program, students need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before they go.
- Placement Availability: There are limited places available on the Year Abroad program, and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
- Transfer Between Courses: Transfer to another degree within the Department of Physics is usually possible in the first two years. Transfer to the Year Abroad degree must be done at the very start of the first year.
Overview:
Imperial College London is committed to achieving excellence in research and education across science, engineering, medicine, and business, aiming to benefit society through its strategic vision. The college leverages its strong disciplinary foundations, collaborative culture, global partnerships, and top-tier ranking to address significant global challenges through its ambitious strategy, "Science for Humanity."
Mission and Values:
Imperial College London's mission is to harness science and innovation for the greater good, focusing on societal impact. The institution emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to nurture talent, drive innovation, and tackle global grand challenges. Core values include a dedication to inquiry, precision, and a scientific mindset that drives understanding and transformation.
Unique Approach:
Imperial College London stands out for its commitment to interdisciplinary research and a comprehensive approach to addressing complex global issues. The college's strategy involves creating new cross-institutional Schools of Convergence Science, focusing on climate, AI, health, and space, among other areas. The Imperial Global network will enhance global collaboration to address grand challenges.
Academic Focus:
Imperial College London emphasizes a strong STEMB focus and interdisciplinary research to address complex challenges. The institution fosters connections across various disciplines and sectors to advance scientific knowledge and societal impact.
Student Life:
The college provides an inspiring environment for scientific inquiry and innovation, offering resources and support for students to explore, dream, and ask significant questions. It maintains a culture of discovery and entrepreneurial thinking.
Meaningful Impact:
Imperial College London operates with the agility and forward-thinking of a startup, pursuing breakthrough science with transformative impact. It is recognized as a trusted partner for research and innovation, contributing to the global landscape through its work in London.
Legacy of London:
Situated in a vibrant global city, Imperial College London benefits from London's energy, creativity, and opportunities, reflecting the city's diverse and dynamic character in its global impact.
Entry Requirements:
- A-levels:
- Minimum entry standard: A*A*A, including A* in Mathematics, A*/A in Physics, and A in another subject (Further Mathematics is recommended but not essential).
- Typical offer: A*A*A-A*A*A* (applicants studying three A-levels).
- Chemistry is considered a useful third subject.
- General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
- Science Practical Endorsement: A pass is required in the practical endorsement for all science subjects included in the offer.
- International Baccalaureate:
- Minimum entry standard: 40 points, including 7, 6, 6 in Mathematics and Physics at higher level.
- Typical offer: 42 points.
- Preferred Mathematics syllabus: Analysis and Approaches is preferred, but Applications and Interpretation is also accepted.
- BTEC National Diploma: Not accepted.
- Cambridge Pre-U Certificate: Not accepted.
- Scottish Advanced Highers: Minimum entry standard: D2 in Mathematics, D2/D3 in Physics and one other subject (grades any order). For Physics with a Year Abroad, GCSE grade B/6 in an appropriate modern foreign language is required.
- T Levels: Not accepted.
- International qualifications:
- A wide range of qualifications from different countries are accepted.
- Admissions test (ESAT):
- The ESAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice assessment with three modules: Mathematics 1, Physics, and Mathematics 2.
- Registration is required on the Pearson VUE website.
- Access arrangements and bursary vouchers can be applied for through UAT-UK.
- Interview:
- Foundation programmes:
- Accepted foundation programmes:
- UCL’s Undergraduate Preparatory Certificate for Science and Engineering (UPCSE)
- Warwick’s International Foundation Programme (IFP) in Science & Engineering
- Minimum requirements for both programmes: 80% overall, 80% Mathematics, 80% Physics.
- Language requirement for Year Abroad: CEFR A2+ in an appropriate modern foreign language.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency.
- The higher university requirement in the appropriate English language qualification is required for admission.
