Taught postgraduate study
The School of Physics and Astronomy introduced a series of Taught Masters degree programmes in 2010. Several of these MSc programmes are linked to the interdisciplinary themes identified as major research challenges for the 21st century. All of our taught postgraduate degree programmes offer advanced training and provide an understanding of the principles and methods of modern physics at a level appropriate for a professional physicist. Most of our programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics. Accredited MSc programmes automatically meet the master's level education requirement for Chartered Physicist (CPhys) status. To fully meet the educational requirements for CPhys, graduates must also possess an IOP accredited undergraduate degree or equivalent.
Full details on how our taught postgraduate Masters programmes are organised and other important matters required to complete a Taught MSc are found in the MSc Course Guide.
Our students normally complete an MSc degree programme in twelve months when studying full-time. The structures of our MSc degree programmes consist in nine months (two semesters) of taught courses and three months of an independent piece of work (for example a research project embedded in one of our research group).
For any question of academic nature related to our taught postgraduate masters degree programmes and not answered in our MSc Course Guide, contact the MSc convenor (contact details at the bottom of the page). If your query concerns the admissions process (for example how to make an application, the status of your application, visa requirements, application documents, tuition fees, scholarships, …), you should contact the postgraduate admissions team.
Taught postgraduate study
The School of Physics and Astronomy offers the following taught masters degree programmes. It is possible to use the University's online catalogue of programme specifications to find extensive background information on any programme you are interested in.
- Astrophysics
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Nuclear and Environmental Physics
- Quantum Technology
- Sensors and Imaging Systems
- Theoretical Physics
All of these programmes start in September each year.
To apply for these degrees, please see the following page, or follow the link to the individual programme’s page.
Fee discounts and scholarships are available for these courses. See this page for information on fees and funding.
To qualify for an MSc degree, students must normally be enrolled on a total of 180 credits, with at least 150 credits at Masters level. The School of Physics and Astronomy offers a wide range of courses to choose from.
Masters level courses
The following courses may be taken in a Taught MSc degree. Note that the exact choice of courses depends on degree programme, and some will be compulsory core courses, whereas others are only ever taken as elective choices.
Physics
- PHYS5001 - Advanced Data Analysis (10 credits)
- PHYS5002 - Frontiers of Optics (10 credits)
- PHYS5004 - Dynamics, Electrodynamics and Relativity (10 credits)
- PHYS5005 - Electromagnetic Theory 2 (10 credits)
- PHYS5006 - Gravitational Wave Detection (10 credits)
- PHYS5007 - Groups and Symmetries (10 credits)
- PHYS5014 - Relativistic Quantum Fields (10 credits)
- PHYS5015 - Research Skills (10 credits)
- PHYS5016 - Statistical Mechanics (10 credits)
- PHYS5021P - MSc Project (60 credits - compulsory for all MSc students)
- PHYS5035 - Imaging and Detectors (10 credits)
- PHYS5036 - Detection and Analysis of Ionising Radiation (10 credits)
- PHYS5037 - Environmental Radioactivity (10 credits)
- PHYS5038 - Nuclear Power Reactors (10 credits)
- PHYS5039 - Quantum Information (10 credits)
- PHYS5041 - Nano and Atomic Scale Imaging 1 (10 credits)
- PHYS5042 - Nano and Atomic Scale Imaging 2 (10 credits)
- PHYS5044 - Fundamentals of Sensing and Measurement (10 credits)
- PHYS5045 - Laser Interferometry and Quantum Measurements (10 credits)
- PHYS5047P - Physics Literature Project (20 credits)
- PHYS5056 – Experimental Techniques in Quantum Optics (10 credits)
Astronomy
- ASTRO5001 - General Relativity and Gravitation (15 credits)2
- ASTRO5002 - Pulsars and Supernovae (15 credits)2
- ASTRO5003 Statistical Astronomy (15 credits)1
- ASTRO5004 Plasma Theory & Diagnostics (15 credits)1
- ASTRO5010 - The Sun's Atmosphere (10 credits)
Notes: 1Astronomy courses offered only in odd years; 2Astronomy courses offered only in even years.
Honours level courses
The following courses may be taken in a Taught MSc degree. The exact choice of courses depends on degree programme, and some will be compulsory core courses, whereas others are only ever taken as elective choices. Full details of course choices within specific degrees and other important matters required to complete a Taught MSc are found in the MSc Course Guide.
Physics
- PHYS4003 - Circuits and Systems (10 credits)
- PHYS4006 - Energy and the Environment (10 credits)
- PHYS4008 - Honours Computational Laboratory (10 credits)
- PHYS4010 - Magnetism and Superconductivity (10 credits)
- PHYS4012 - Mathematical Methods 2 (10 credits)
- PHYS4013 - Medical Imaging (10 credits)
- PHYS4015 - Nuclear and Particle Physics (10 credits)
- PHYS4016 - Nuclear Physics (10 credits)
- PHYS4018 - Particle Physics (10 credits)
- PHYS4026 - Quantum Theory (10 credits)
- PHYS4027 - Semiconductor Devices (10 credits)
- PHYS4028 - Solid State Physics (10 credits)
Astronomy
- ASTRO4005 - Heliophysics and Stellar Atmospheres1 (15 credits)
- ASTRO4006 - Cosmology2 (15 credits)
- ASTRO4007 - Exploring Planetary Systems2 (15 credits)
- ASTRO4008 - Galaxies1 (15 credits)
- ASTRO4009 - High Energy Astrophysics1 (15 credits)
- ASTRO4010 - Instruments for Optical and Radio Astronomy2 (15 credits)
- ASTRO 4011 - Stellar Structure and Evolution1 (15 credits)
Contacts
For academic enquiries: Prof. Andy Buckley, MSc Convenor
Phone: (+44) 141 330 2534
E-mail: Andy.Buckley@glasgow.ac.uk
For admission enquiries: Postgraduate Admissions
E-mail: pgadmissions@gla.ac.uk