Physics
Durham University
UCAS Code: F301 | Master of Physics - MPhys
Durham University
UCAS Code: F301 | Master of Physics - MPhys
Entry requirements
A level
To include Mathematics and Physics. Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels. Specific subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
To include Mathematics and Physics.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include 776 in higher level subjects including Mathematics (Maths: analysis and approaches) and Physics.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
To include Mathematics and Physics at least one of which must be at H1.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
D*DD + A*A in A Level Mathematics and Physics either way or, DDD + A*A* in A Level Mathematics and Physics either way For entry requirements with other Cambridge L3 Technical qualifications, refer to: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/uk-students/
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D*DD + A*A in A Level Mathematics and Physics either way or, DDD + A*A* in A Level Mathematics and Physics either way For entry requirements with other BTEC qualifications, refer to: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/uk-students/
Scottish Advanced Higher
To include Mathematics and Physics.
Scottish Higher
Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers specifically in Mathematics and Physics and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis. .
At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements. Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
This integrated Master's degree is the first step towards Chartered Physicist status. It will suit those looking for an accredited course that leads to higher level education or a research role in physics, as well as providing a starting point for roles in science, finance, engineering and IT.
Undergraduate physics degrees at Durham offer a high level of flexibility. We offer four Institute of Physics accredited courses - MPhys qualifications in Physics, Physics and Astronomy, and Theoretical Physics and the three-year BSc in Physics - which follow the same core curriculum in Year 1.
Subject to the optional modules chosen, it is possible to switch to one of the other courses until the end of the second year. You can also apply for a one-year work placement or study abroad opportunity with one of our partner organisations, increasing the course from four years to five.
The first year lays the foundation in physics theory, mathematical skills and laboratory skills that you will need to tackle more complex content later in the course. From Year 2 you'll have the opportunity to explore areas such as astrophysics, quantum theory or the relationship between physics and society in more detail.
As you progress to Year 3 learning is more closely aligned to real-world issues through project work and optional modules that are tailored to your interests and aspirations. Your knowledge is further extended in Year 4 with a project based on a live research topic, and higher-level modules which take your study of physics to a greater depth.
Modules
Year 1
Core modules:
Foundations of Physics introduces classical aspects of wave phenomena and electromagnetism, as well as basic concepts in Newtonian mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity and optical physics.
Discovery Skills in Physics provides a practical introduction to laboratory skills development with particular emphasis on measurement uncertainty, data analysis and written and oral communication skills. It also includes an introduction to programming.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Single Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Calculus.
Please note: it is compulsory to study two Maths modules (as background mathematical knowledge for the Foundations module).
Year 2
Core modules:
Foundations of Physics A develops your knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. You will learn to apply the principles of physics to predictable and unpredictable problems and produce a well-structured solution, with clear reasoning and appropriate presentation.
Foundations of Physics B extends your knowledge of thermodynamics, condensed matter physics and optics.
Mathematical Methods in Physics provides the necessary mathematical knowledge to successfully tackle the Foundations of Physics modules. It covers vectors, vector integral and vector differential calculus, multivariable calculus and orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, Fourier analysis, orthogonal functions, the use of matrices, and the mathematical tools for solving ordinary and partial differential equations in a variety of physical problems.
Laboratory Skills and Electronics builds lab-based skills, such as experiment planning, data analysis, scientific communication and specific practical skills. It aims to teach electronics as a theoretical and a practical subject, to teach the techniques of computational physics and numerical methods and to provide experience of a research-led investigation in physics in preparation for post-university life.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Stars and Galaxies
Theoretical Physics
Physics in Society.
Year 3
Core modules:
Foundations of Physics A further develops your knowledge to include quantum mechanics and nuclear and particle physics. You will learn to apply the principles of physics to complex problems and produce a well-structured solution, with clear reasoning and appropriate presentation.
Foundations of Physics B increases your knowledge to include statistical physics and condensed matter physics.
The Computing Project is designed to develop your computational and problem-solving skills. You work on advanced computational physics problems using a variety of modern computing techniques and present your findings in a project report, poster and oral presentation.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Team Project
Advanced Laboratory
Mathematics Workshop
Physics into Schools
Planets and Cosmology
Theoretical Physics
Condensed Matter Physics
Modern Atomic and Optical Physics.
Year 4
Core module:
The research-based MPhys Project can be carried out individually or as part of a small group. It provides experience of work in a research environment on a topic at the forefront of developments in a branch of either physics, applied physics, theoretical physics or astronomy, and develops transferable skills for the oral and written presentation of research. The project can be carried out in one of the Department’s research groups or in collaboration with an external organisation.
In recent years, optional modules have included:
Atoms, Lasers and Qubits
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
Advanced Theoretical Physics
Particle Theory
Advanced Astrophysics
Theoretical Astrophysics
Planets and Cosmology
Theoretical Physics
Condensed Matter Physics
Modern Atomic and Optical Physics.
Assessment methods
Assessment is mainly by end-of-year examinations and by project reports and presentations.
The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the course content, test your capacity to solve problems, enhance your written and oral communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world scenarios.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Physics
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Physics
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Although the subject has seen a bit of resurgence in recent years, the UK is still felt to be short of physics graduates, and in particular physicists training as teachers. If you want a career in physics research — in all sorts of areas, from atmospheric physics to lasers - you'll probably need to take a doctorate, and so have a think about where you would like to do that and how you might fund it (the government funds many physics doctorates, so you might not find it as hard as you think). With that in mind, it's not surprising that just over a fifth of physics graduates go on to take doctorates when they finish their degree, and well over a third of physicists take some kind of postgraduate study in total. Physics is highly regarded and surprisingly versatile, which is why physics graduates who decide not to stay in education are more likely to go into well-paid jobs in the finance industry than they are to go into science. The demand and versatility of physics degrees goes to explain why they're amongst the best-paid science graduates.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Physics
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£28k
£35k
£41k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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