MSc Physics (EuroMasters)
- Programme director
- Annika Lohstroh
- Programme length
- Full-time: 24 months, Full-time: 12 months
- Programme start date
- September 2013
A two-year MSc with an opportunity to train in research skills and undertake a 5-6 month research project.
Programme overview
The MSc Physics (EuroMasters) is a two-year (120 ECTS credits) programme. This is the same length and number of credits as most Masters degrees in continental Europe.
The lectures and laboratory classes in the first year provide training in an important area of applied physics from one of the Department of Physics’ internationally respected and vocationally oriented MSc programmes. The skills learnt are then used and developed in the second year, when you will have training in research skills and a five to six-month research project that will equip you for further research work in industry, international research laboratories or universities. During the project, the student will be part of a research group and so will receive help and support, and learn from, the other members of the group. The project may be undertaken at research facilities such as the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire or in a continental European university. It is this project in the second year that differentiates the EuroMasters programme from most UK MSc courses.
Research experience opens the door to many careers, not just further research. The maturity and experience gained during a research project provide an extra dimension to the qualification beyond that of a conventional one-year Masters programme.
Entry requirements
Entry to the first year of the programme requires a minimum 2.2 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in the physical sciences or in a relevant engineering discipline. For direct entry to the second year, students are required to have achieved the equivalent of a Postgraduate Diploma in Physics (120 credits at Level M). Applicants with suitable industrial experience will also be considered.
English language requirements
IELTS minimum overall: 6.5
IELTS minimum by component:
6.0
Fees and funding
All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.
| Programme name | Study mode | Start date | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Physics (EuroMasters) | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £4,480 | £11,725 |
| MSc Physics (EuroMasters) | Full-time | Sep 2013 | £4,480 (120 credits) | £11,725 (120 credits) |
| PGDip Physics (EuroMasters) | Full-time | Sept 2013 | Please enquire | Please enquire |
Funding
UK/EU-based applicants are eligible for SEPnet (South East Physics Network) scholarships (conditional on mobility between SEPnet partner institutions and/or external research partners). Further details on request.
Programme content
Programme Structure
The Physics (EuroMasters) degree is designed to be fully compatible with the European Bologna accord. Like most Masters degrees in continental Europe, it is two years long. It offers students the opportunity to study in the UK for a Level 2 qualification that will be widely recognised across Europe and beyond.
The programme is a joint initiative of the South East Physics Network (SEPnet). This is a network of the following universities: the University of Kent; Queen Mary University of London; Royal Holloway University of London; the University of Southampton; the University of Surrey; and the University of Sussex.
Students can elect to research their dissertation at international laboratories such as the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire or at mainland European universities, subject to availability of placements, for instance, through Erasmus exchanges.
The first year of the programme comprises the full set of taught modules from one of the Department’s existing MSc programmes. In the second year students will have the unique opportunity to pursue a supervised extended research project, following a two-month introduction to research skills.
Year 1
The taught modules of the constituent MSc programmes are:
Medical Physics
- Radiation Physics
- Radiation Biology
- Generic Skills and Methods; Health and Safety
- Practical Aspects of Radiation Physics
- Applications of Ionising Radiation Physics
- Applications of Non-ionising Radiation Physics
- Hospital Experience
- Ultrasonics and Audiology
Radiation and Environmental Protection
- Radiation Physics
- Radiation Laboratory Skills
- Radiation Measurement
- Nuclear Power and Non-ionising Radiation
- Radiation Biology
- Radiation Protection
- Environmental Physics and Environmental Protection
- Extended Project
Radiation Detection and Instrumentation
- Radiation Physics
- Radiation Laboratory Skills
- Radiation Measurement
- Detector Instrumentation
- Imaging and Remote Sensing
- Computer Interfacing and Modelling
- Students choose two modules from the following list: Particle Physics Detector Technology (taught at the University of Sussex); Astronomy Detector Technology (taught at the University of Sussex);Radiation Protection; Medical Applications of Ionising Radiation
Year 2
Research Project
The research project contributes 50 per cent of the marks towards the MSc Physics (EuroMasters) award. It comprises two parts. The first two months are designed to develop research skills and to enable you to plan your research project and conduct an appropriate literature survey.
During the next five to six months, you are assigned responsibility for a substantial project which is aimed to be of a standard suitable for publication in a professional journal. It is expected that you will be prepared to work beyond the normal working day if required, input ideas, demonstrate initiative and seek relevant information.
At the end of the project, you will have the opportunity to present your work at a regional conference of your peers.
Professional recognition
The modules from the MSc Medical Physics programme are accredited to provide students with the knowledge base defined by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). IPEM is the UK’s professional body for the application of physics and engineering to medicine.
Contact hours
Teaching: 10–12 hours per week
Private study: 28–30 hours per week
Dissertation: eight months, including two months of research skills development
Learning outcomes
In the first few months, the learning objectives are for you to build up self-confidence in the practical, programming and analytical skills that you will require for your project; to develop your ability to communicate; to get over your awe of more experienced colleagues; to realise that you can take on responsibility for a task and that you can see it through.
The learning objective of the second part of Year 2 is to acquire research skills and a deep understanding about the very forefront of a specialist area of physics. Research skills include careful planning, time scheduling, interaction with colleagues, keeping a detailed notebook, designing and testing equipment, taking and testing data and data analysis.
The dissertation required at the end of the project, and the interim report after two months, have the objective of encouraging you to write clearly and express your understanding of your work in appropriate formal ways.
Teaching and assessment
The first year of the programme is taught by a mixture of lectures and laboratory classes, and is assessed by a combination of coursework and examination.
For the duration of the MSc in Physics (EuroMasters), research project students are assigned a primary research supervisor who will be an academic member of staff within the Physics Department. You will meet your supervisor formally at least once a week, probably more – especially during the early stages of induction to the group and project.
In addition, you can expect to be part of a larger research group and hence to get help and advice from other researchers, including senior graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, as well as from technical support staff and/or experimental officers working in the group. The exact arrangements will depend very much on the group and nature of the project.
Research progress will be formally recorded and assessed by the supervisor and other academic colleagues, with the preparatory period being assessed in December based on an interim report of up to 4,000 words covering the project plan and work to date.
At the end of the second year, you will submit a dissertation of circa 100 pages and make an assessed presentation to a conference of Physics (EuroMasters) students, including the next cohort, supervisors and others who may be interested in learning about your work.
Subject knowledge and skills
Material is introduced through lectures, laboratories, and directed reading and research. Students are given guidance on how to manage their learning, and at each stage in their development they are expected to take responsibility for their own learning.
Understanding is developed and consolidated through interactions in group meetings, by laboratory work and by private study. Project work, leading to the dissertation, is used to integrate material and make knowledge functional.
Core academic skills
The various advanced lecture modules in the first year and the research training deliver knowledge in depth and breadth, and develop the ability to deal with concepts and applications at the frontiers of the subject. The project module develops the ability to plan and execute a substantial project, developing a careful and critical approach to experimental design and/or mathematical modelling, and maintenance of accurate records.
Personal and key skills
Teaching and learning of a range of transferable skills (in the ability to exercise independent judgement, use of information technology, oral and written communication, presentation, accessing information and group work) are embedded within the programme.
Department links
Contact us
For general enquiries
0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681 681
For admissions enquiries
+44 (0)1483 686 128