Program Overview

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Advanced Physics

The MSc Advanced Physics will give you the key skills needed for employment in industry, public service or academic research. Reflecting the research strengths and specialisms of our Department of Physics, the MSc Advanced Physics programme is structured around the following streams:

• Quantum Engineering
• Photonics
• Condensed Matter and Novel Materials
• Physics of Complex Systems
• Medical Physics

Over the course of the programme, you will explore a range of compulsory modules in the above areas, with opportunities to apply and communicate your knowledge and understanding. This will culminate in the development of an individual research project in which you will investigate a particular aspect of physics and gain experience in conducting original applied research. This project will be devoted to one of several topical areas of modern physics, including:

• Quantum computing and quantum information
• Photonics architectures, devices, and their applications in communication, sensing, and metrology
• Theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics and novel materials
• Stochastic processes and applications in biophysics and econophysics
• Medical physics, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine

Your studies will be enhanced by our recent investment in state-of-the-art labs for physics and engineering, giving you access to a wide variety of experimental facilities including pulsed laser deposition, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction. In addition, we have a departmental observatory with a 16-inch equatorially-mounted Meade telescope and other astronomical equipment.

Why you should choose us

• £17m You'll have access to our £17M STEMLab facility
• 91% of Physics research rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' REF 2021
• £4m investment in new physics laboratories
• Top 10 in the UK for Physics The Guardian University Guide 2025
• Top 10 for Student Satisfaction in Physics Complete University Guide 2026

What you'll study

The following information is intended as an example only and is typically based on module information for the 2025/26 year of entry. Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes. Updated Programme and Module Specifications are made available ahead of each academic year.

Semester 1

Optional modules

• Materials Modelling (15 credits)
  • The aims of this module are to:
    • Develop an understanding of the principles associated with the modelling of properties of materials at different length and timescale
    • Develop the ability to judge the strengths and limitations of different modelling techniques
• Physics of Complex Systems (15 credits)
  • Studying complex systems is vital because it enables us to understand and predict behaviours in real-world scenarios that are otherwise chaotic and unpredictable, from weather patterns to economic markets
  • This module offers students an essential understanding of the theoretical frameworks and analytical methods needed to approach the dynamical complexities of various physical systems
• Foundations in Quantum Engineering (15 credits)
  • The aim of the module is to introduce students to the foundational ideas of modern applications of quantum mechanics
• Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (15 credits)
  • Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine are vital branches of medical physics, playing an important role in modern healthcare by enabling precise cancer treatments and advanced imaging techniques
• Emergent Phenomena in Condensed Matter (15 credits)
  • The aims of this module is to introduce the general theory of phase transitions and apply it to physical phenomena such as superfluidity and superconductivity

Semester 2

Compulsory modules

• Applications of quantum engineering (15 credits)
  • This module is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of the principles and capabilities of modern quantum technologies
• Advanced Photonics (15 credits)
  • Photonics stands as a core platform of contemporary technology, driving revolution in fields ranging from telecommunications to healthcare
• Stochastic Processes in Interdisciplinary Science (15 credits)
  • Module aims:
    • Understanding of stochastic process, mathematical tools used to describe them, and application of these process to diverse interdisciplinary tasks
• Research Project Planning and Preparation (15 credits)
  • The aims of the modules are to introduce students to further skills required of a research physicist, specifically planning a research project and making a case for it, and presenting their findings in poster form

Summer

Compulsory modules

• Research Project (60 credits)
  • The aim of the module is to increase the research skills of the student and to enable the student to make a contribution to the advancement of their subject

How you'll be assessed

Modules are assessed by a combination of exams, coursework and group work.

How you'll study

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Independent study
• Group work
• Workshops
• Laboratory work
• Practical sessions

Where you'll study

Our postgraduate students benefit from state-of-the-art physics laboratories within the University’s £17 million STEMLab and the newly refurbished Sir David Davies building. We feature a range of experimental facilities, including pulsed laser deposition, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction, and our own campus observatory.

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.

Entry requirements for United Kingdom

A 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in physics, science or engineering, or appropriate professional experience.

Country / region equivalent

• Afghanistan: Masters, 95%
• Albania: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare, 9.5
• Algeria: Licence, 16
• Argentina: Licenciatura, 8.5
• Armenia: Bakalavri Kochum, 90%
• Australia: Honours degree, First Class, 80%
• Austria: Degree, 80%
• Azerbaijan: Bakalavr Diplomu, 4.5
• Bahamas: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Bahrain: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Bangladesh: 4 Year Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 1st, 70%
• Barbados: University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Belarus: Specialist Diploma, 9
• Belgium: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Belize: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Benin: Maitrise, 18
• Bermuda: Degree from University of the West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Bolivia: Licenciado, 85%
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja, 10
• Botswana: Master's degree, A, 80%
• Brazil: Bacharel, 8.5
• Brunei: First, 80%
• Bulgaria: Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie, 6
• Burundi: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 18
• Cambodia: Master's degree, 80%
• Cameroon: Bachelor degree, 1st, 15
• Canada: GPA 4.0/Percentage, 3.7
• Chile: Grado de Licenciado, 6
• China: Bachelor degree, 83%
• Colombia: Licenciado, 4.5
• Costa Rica: Licenciado, 9
• Croatia: Baccalaureus, 4.5
• Cuba: Titulo de Licenciado, 5
• Cyprus: Bachelor degree, 8.5
• Czech Republic: Bakalár, 1.5
• Denmark: Candidatus, 12
• Dominican Republic: Licenciado, 3.8
• Ecuador: Título de Licenciado, 8.5
• Egypt: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• El Salvador: Licenciado, 8.5
• Estonia: Bakalaureusekraad, 5
• Ethiopia: Master's degree, A, 80%
• Finland: Kandidaattii, 3
• France: Licence, 14
• Georgia: 4-year degree, 5
• Germany: German Bachelor, 1.5
• Ghana: Bachelor degree, First, 70%
• Greece: Ptychio, 8.5
• Grenada: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Guatemala: Licenciado, 90%
• Guyana: Master's degree, 4.0
• Honduras: Título de Licenciado, 91
• Hong Kong: Bachelor degree, 1st, 3.5
• Hungary: Alapfokozt, 4.5
• Iceland: Baccalaurreatus degree, 8.5
• India: Bachelor degree, 65%
• Indonesia: Sarjana I, 3.3
• Iran: Bachelor degree, 17
• Iraq: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Ireland: Bachelor degree, First Class Honours, 70%
• Israel: Bachelor degree, 90%
• Italy: Diploma di Laurea, 109
• Ivory Coast: Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, 16
• Jamaica: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Japan: Gakushi, 85%
• Jordan: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Kazakhstan: Bakalavr, 4.5
• Kenya: Bachelor degree, First Class Honours, 70%
• Kosovo: Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare, 10
• Kuwait: Bachelor degree, 3.6
• Latvia: Bakalaura Diploms, 9
• Lebanon: Bachelor degree, 90%
• Liberia: Master's degree, 4.0
• Libya: Bachelor degree, 85%
• Lithuania: Bakalaura Diplomas, 9
• Luxembourg: Diplôme d'Études Supérieures, 18
• Macau: Bachelor degree, 1st, 3.7
• Macedonia: Diplomirani, 10
• Malawi: Master's degree, 75%
• Malaysia: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Malta: Bachelor degree, 1st, 80%
• Mauritius: Bachelor degree, 1st, 70%
• Mexico: Licenciado, 8.5
• Moldova: Diplomă de Licență, 9
• Mongolia: Диплом Специалиста, 90%
• Montenegro: Diplomirani, 10
• Morocco: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, 16
• Mozambique: Mestrado, 16
• Myanmar (Burma): Master's degree, 5
• Namibia: Bachelor Honours, 80%
• Nepal: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Netherlands: Bachelor degree, 8
• New Zealand: Bachelor Honours, First Class, 7.0
• Nicaragua: Licenciado, 90%
• Nigeria: Bachelor degree, 4.5
• Norway: Kandidatexamen, A, 1.8
• Oman: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Pakistan: Bachelor degree, A-, 3.7
• Palestine: Bachelor degree, 85%
• Panama: Licenciado, 91
• Papua New Guinea: Bachelor Honours, 1st
• Paraguay: Título de Licenciado, 4.5
• Peru: Título de Licenciado, 14
• Philippines: Bachelor degree, Summa Cum Laude, 4.0
• Poland: Magister, 5
• Portugal: Licenciado, 18
• Qatar: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Romania: Diplomă de Licență, 9
• Russia: Bakalavr, 4.5
• Rwanda: Bachelor degree, 1st, 16
• Saudi Arabia: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Senegal: Diplôme d'Études Approfondies, 16
• Serbia: Diplomirani, 9
• Sierra Leone: Bachelor degree, 1st, 70%
• Singapore: Bachelor degree, 1st, 3.7
• Slovakia: Bakalár, 1.5
• Slovenia: Univerzitetni diplom, 9
• South Africa: Bachelor Honours, 75%
• South Korea: Bachelor degree, 3.8
• Spain: Licenciado, 8.5
• Sri Lanka: Bachelor Special, 90%
• Sudan: Bachelor degree, 1st, 70%
• Sweden: Kandidatexamen, A, 1.8
• Switzerland: Bachelor degree, 10
• Syria: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Taiwan: Bachelor degree, 80%
• Tajikistan: Диплом Специалиста, 5
• Tanzania: Bachelor degree, 1st
• Thailand: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• Trinidad and Tobago: Degree from University of West Indies, 1st, 70%
• Tunisia: Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'État, 16
• Turkey: Lisans Diplomasi, 3.5
• Turkmenistan: Bakalavr, 5
• Uganda: Bachelor degree, 1st, 4.4
• Ukraine: Dyplom Magistra, 4.5
• United Arab Emirates: Bachelor degree, 3.5
• United States of America: GPA 4.0 scale, 3.5
• Uruguay: Licenciado, 9
• Uzbekistan: Majistr Diplomi, 90%
• Venezuela: Licenciado, 18
• Vietnam: Bachelor degree, 8.0
• Zambia: Master's degree, A, 80%
• Zimbabwe: Bachelor degree, 1st, 75%

Fees and funding

Fees for the 2025 academic year

• UK fee: £13,250 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £29,950 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the 2026 academic year

• UK fee: £13,700 Full-time degree per annum
• International fee: £30,900 Full-time degree per annum

Scholarships and bursaries

There are scholarships and bursaries available to help with funding your study.

• 10% off tuition fees: Loughborough University Alumni Bursary
• Up to 20% off tuition fees: Excellence Scholarship

Your development

The Department of Physics is committed to helping you develop the skills and attributes you need to progress successfully in your chosen career. Our master's in physics will see you develop the following advanced skills:

• Problem-solving
• Experimental, mathematical or computational techniques
• Scientific report writing and presentation skills
• Obtaining and understanding information from the scientific literature
• The collection and analysis of data or the development of theoretical models

Your future career

Our physics graduates are highly sought after and work in a range of industries and roles. Our graduates have been able to pursue rewarding careers in roles such as:

• Business Analyst
• Physicist
• Technical Manager
• Financial Trader Recent graduate destinations include:
• Ministry of Defence
• DSTL
• BAE Systems
• BP
• Rolls Royce
• Intelligent Energy Other students have gone on to study at PhD level.