Theoretical Physics
Durham University
UCAS Code: F344 | 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
UCAS Tariff
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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 focuses on the mathematical and theoretical aspects of physics. Many graduates progress to higher level education followed by careers in research or teaching. For others, the course has opened the door to a range of professions where advanced analytic, numeric or computational skills are in demand.
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 or substituting the existing Year 3.
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. As you progress through the course the level of theoretical content increases, extending your knowledge in areas such as electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, particle theory and advanced mathematical theory.
In Years 3 and 4 the curriculum is more closely aligned to real-world issues through a combination of theory and project work, including a final-year project on a topic at the forefront of developments in one of our research institutes.
Modules
Year 1 Core modules:
Foundations of Physics introduces classical aspects of wave phenomena and electromagnetism, basic concepts in Newtonian mechanics, quantum mechanics, special relativity and optical physics.
Discovery Skills in Physics a practical introduction to lab skills with emphasis on measurement uncertainty, data analysis and communication skills. Plus an introduction to programming.
Year 2 Core modules:
Foundations of Physics A develops your knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism.
Foundations of Physics B develops your knowledge of thermodynamics, condensed matter physics and optics.
Mathematical Methods in Physics provides mathematical knowledge and understanding to tackle the Foundations of Physics modules.
Theoretical Physics provides a working knowledge of classical mechanics and complements the quantum mechanics content of the module Foundations of Physics A.
Laboratory Skills and Electronics builds lab-based skills, such as experiment planning, data analysis, scientific communication and specific practical skills. Electronics is taught as both a theoretical and a practical subject, and computational physics and numerical methods provide experience of research-led investigation in physics in preparation for post-university life.
Year 3 Core modules:
Foundations of Physics A further develops your knowledge to include quantum mechanics and nuclear and particle physics.
Foundations of Physics B includes the study of statistical physics and condensed matter physics.
Theoretical Physics introduces more advanced methods in electromagnetism that can be used to investigate more realistic problems and concepts. It also builds your quantum mechanics knowledge and addresses further applications and conceptual issues of measurement and interpretation.
The Computing Project is designed to develop computational and problem-solving skills. You’ll 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.
Mathematics Workshop introduces mathematical tools you’ll need to solve physical problems including vectors and matrices, complex analysis, calculus of variations, and integral variations.
Year 4 Core modules:
The research-based MPhys Project is 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 from physics, applied physics, theoretical physics or astronomy, and develops transferable skills for presenting research. This can be carried out in one of the Department's research groups or in collaboration with an external organisation.
Advanced Theoretical Physics provides a working knowledge of non-relativistic quantum mechanical problems. Exploring modern theories of electronic structure and vibrational properties of materials including superconductivity; the quantum nature of light; and concepts of entangled states and mixed states and their relevance in experiments.
Particle Theory will familiarise you with key results of relativistic quantum mechanics and its application to simple systems; the principles of quantum field theory and the role of symmetry in modern particle physics; and the standard model of particle physics and its experimental foundations.
See our courses database for more details about these modules and examples of optional modules - https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/f344/
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
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The Uni
Durham City
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Physics
What students say
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After graduation
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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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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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