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Physics MPhys

4-5 years

This four-year degree expands on the Physics BSc to prepare you for high-level entry into industry. It’s also a solid base for pursuing PhD research.

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Physics MPhys, 4-5 years

This four-year degree expands on the Physics BSc to prepare you for high-level entry into industry. It’s also a solid base for pursuing PhD research.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer AAB

UK fee £9,535

UCAS code F303

International fee £24,500

Institute code L34

Taught by School of Physics and Astronomy

National Student Survey logo

Ranked 7th in subjects aligned to Physics for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

School of Physics and Astronomy website

Course description

Course description

All our Physics students study the same core of fundamental physics and maths, based on Institute of Physics (IOP) 'core of physics' material. This includes classical mechanics, waves and fields, electromagnetism, special relativity, thermodynamics, quantum and atomic physics. By choosing the Physics MPhys you will have access to the widest range of specialist options in each year.

As a physics student at Leicester you will acquire an appreciation of the scope and impact of modern physics and the use of mathematics, computing and experimentation to solve important real-world problems.

You will study the fundamental theories of physics, from classical mechanics, waves and fields, to relativity, atomic and particle physics. Through option courses and projects you will have the opportunity to explore the areas of physics linked to the School's world-leading research - such as planetary science, climate physics, nanotechnology, astrophysics, medical physics and space science.

What's the difference?

  • Our three-year BSc degrees provide an excellent route to a very wide range of careers in industry and business
  • Our four-year MPhys degrees are aimed at students considering a career or further training in scientific research

Transfer between BSc and MPhys degrees is possible during your first and second years (subject to meeting the required end-of-year mark). It is also possible to transfer between different Physics degrees as long as you have taken the required number of options. Staff in the School will be available to offer help and advice.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

  • A/AS-levels: AAB including Physics and Maths. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level. General Studies accepted.
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction in Maths and Physics Level 3 modules. Plus grade B in Maths A-level. 
  • International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 32 points, including:
    • 5 in HL Physics and 5 in HL Maths
    • OR 6 in HL Physics and 6 in SL Maths 'Analysis and Approaches' (SL Maths 'Applications and Interpretation' not accepted)
    • OR 6 in SL Physics and 6 in HL Maths
    • HL Maths accepted within both 'Analysis and Approaches' and 'Applications and Interpretation'
  • BTEC Nationals: Pass Science or Engineering Extended Diploma with DDM, and B at A-level Maths

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for Physics with Foundation Year BSc.

Second year entry may be possible with suitable qualifications.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in 2025

The tuition fees that will be payable by you to the University for the 2025/26 academic year will be £9,535

  • £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX)
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,430 for that year
  • Year in Industry: your fee will be £1,907 for that year

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2025

  • £24,500 per year
  • Year Abroad: £6,125 which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee
  • Year in Industry: £3,675 which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Accreditation

Accreditation

All of our degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics.

An accredited degree not only gives you a solid grounding in core physics, it also sets you on a route towards Institute of Physics membership and the Chartered Physicist (CPhys) professional qualification. With an accredited MPhys degree to your name, you will have fulfilled the educational requirements for CPhys status.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

In your third year you will have the option to do a ten-week group research project with one of our industrial partners such as Airbus Defence and Space, Jorin Ltd., Domino Printing or Weatherford International. You will gain invaluable project, budget and team management experience working in a professional environment on a real project.

You can gain first-hand experience of physics education through a final year mentoring scheme with physics teachers in local schools, working for half a day a week over one semester.

We offer a small number of Summer Research Placements: six weeks of paid employment working with the research groups within the School of Physics and Astronomy. These placements provide excellent experience if you want to go on to a career in academic or industrial research.

Our dedicated Careers Tutor can provide information, advice and guidance on the graduate job application process.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduate destinations include:

  • Henry - Data Visualisation Lead, Office for National Statistics (graduated MPhys Physics with Astrophysics)
  • Katie - Research Assistant at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (graduated MPhys Physics)
  • Elizabeth - Product Analytics at Facebook, London (graduated BSc Physics)
  • Jack - Cyber Security Engineer at KHIPU Networks (graduated BSc Physics with Astrophysics)
  • Jasmine - PhD Student at UCL (graduated MPhys Physics)
  • Lucy - Senior Clinical Trials Coordinator at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust (graduated BSc Physics)
  • Saira - Plant Implementation Lead at Ford Motor Company (graduated BSc Physics)

Peter completed a degree in Physics with the University of Leicester and went onto a NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Careers and Employability Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

Find out more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals

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Course structure

Year 1

Year 1

Core modules

Option modules

This is the same as the first year of the BSc.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 2

Year 2

Core modules

Option modules

This is the same as the second year of the BSc.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

Year in Industry or Abroad (optional)

If you want to, you can spend your third year studying abroad at one of our partner institutions or working in an industrial placement. Alternatively, you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in four years.

Year Abroad

We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.

Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.

For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.

Please note

  • A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
  • You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
  • Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
  • Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.

Year in Industry

An industrial placement is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a professional working environment, between your second and third years of study. By enhancing your degree with an industrial placement, you can make yourself a more attractive proposition to employers after you graduate.

You'll benefit from real-world experience in a commercial setting, enabling you to make an easier transition from studying to working after you finish your degree. You'll gain invaluable insight into a potential career path, as well as strengthening your CV significantly in preparation for entering the graduate labour market. On top of all this, you'll be paid a salary for your placement, which gives you greater financial flexibility as well as offsetting the cost of the extra year.

A year in industry still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 3

Year 3

Core modules

Option modules

Choose one option module from:

Then choose one option module from:

Then choose one option module from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year 4

Year 4

Core modules

Option modules

Choose two option modules from:

Then choose two option modules from:

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

Take a tour of our Physics and Astronomy facilities

All our degrees are accredited by the UK Institute of Physics (IOP).

Ranked 2nd in subjects aligned to Physics for ‘Organisation and management’ and ranked 4th in subjects aligned to Physics for ‘Student voice’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). View the NSS questions all students were asked for individual themes.

The academic staff in the School have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.

In your final year you will gain experience of scientific research by working with our staff on real physics research problems. Recent examples of projects include: black holes and the Higgs mechanism, analysis of Martian rocks, the evolution of planet-forming discs, and novel medical ultrasound techniques.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials, lab sessions, seminars, workshop classes and project work. Training in scientific computation and programming is built into each degree.

A typical week for a first year physics student might consist of five hours of lectures, about two afternoons in the lab or computing workshops (six hours), about two hours of problem classes, four hours of workshops and one hour in a small group tutorial session. This is a total of about 20 hours of contact time. You will also spend several hours a week on private study.

Assessment includes exams and course work (such as workshop and seminar problem classes). Lab work is primarily assessed in real time and project work is assessed through written reports and oral presentations.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether they be academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.

Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration UCAS Code Availability
Course Physics Qualification MPhys Duration 4 years full-time UCAS Code F303 Availability How to apply
Course Physics with a Year Abroad Qualification MPhys Duration 5 years full-time UCAS Code F303 Availability How to apply
Course Physics with Year in Industry Qualification MPhys Duration 5 years full-time UCAS Code F303 Availability How to apply

Data about this course

student with large space telescope behind

I chose Leicester due to its expertise in space research. The University’s reputation in this field was something I was already aware of.

Andrew

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