Postgraduate Courses in Physics

If you’re hoping to add to your education with a postgraduate degree in Physics, you’ve come to the right place.

Below, are examples of jobs, courses and work you can do in the field.

Take a look.

What is physics?

Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. It studies the matter and motion and behaviour through space and time and the related entities of energy of energy and force. The main goal of physics is to understand how the universe behaves.

Courses

There are many postgraduate courses in physics. Some offer the opportunity to study either full time or part time. Examples of courses available are:

Physics

A postgraduate course in physics allows students to work on a range of experimental and theoretical areas of physics and astronomy. Areas that are often covered are astronomy, condensed matter theory, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy as well as experimental condensed matter and nanoscience among other topics. 

Gravity, Particles and Fields 

Courses in gravity, particles and fields are a great fit for those who have an interest in mathematical physics. Topics covered include quantum gravity, particle physics, quantum field theory, quantum information theory, cosmology as well as the early universe. There is also a great focus on gravity. 

Secondary Physics

There are multiple courses in secondary physics which can also be joined with other subjects such as mathematics. These courses will help students to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to teach physics and inspire the next generation of physics students. 

Fusion Energy

Courses in fusion energy look at research into entering a new era with large facilities aiming to achieve the crucial milestone of net energy gain. Students will gain the necessary skills to apply in computational and experimental plasma physics as well as conduct research on different topics and projects. 

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can differ from course to course and university to university. However, when looking for a postgraduate degree to suit you, you must have an undergraduate degree in physics or related fields such as mathematics. In some courses, a 2.1 degree is required while others may require a 2.2 degree. 

The requirements for each course will differ so it is important to research in detail. More information can be found online on university websites and course overviews. 

Job options

• Physicist 
• Medical physicist
• Meteorologist
• Academic researcher
• Research scientist 
• Teacher/Professor

Potential areas of work

• Aerospace 
• Education 
• Health and medicine
• Energy/Renewable energy
• Engineering

Salary expectation 

Your salary depends completely on what route you take with your degree. For example, if you take the education route, a postdoctoral researchers’ salary can range from £27,000 to £39,000. If you took another route such as becoming a physicist you may earn an average of £35,077. 

Skills and requirements

• Strong communication skills – written and verbal 
• Strong research and analysis skills
• Problem solver
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Work well with others
• Numeracy skills
• Knowledge of IT and technology
• An interest and understanding of physics
• Strong planning, executing, and reporting skills for experiments