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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2025/2026
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Degree Programme Specification
MPhys in Theoretical Physics
 

MPhys in Theoretical Physics
To give you an idea of what to expect from this programme, we publish the latest available information. This information is created when new programmes are established and is only updated periodically as programmes are formally reviewed. It is therefore only accurate on the date of last revision.
Awarding institution: The University of Edinburgh
Teaching institution: The University of Edinburgh
Programme accredited by: The Institute of Physics
Final award: MPhys
Programme title: Theoretical Physics MPhys
UCAS code: F306
Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s): Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics
Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: Professor Philip Clark
Date of production/revision: 19 December 2023
Further Information: View the prospectus entry for this programme

External Summary

Physics is the fundamental human endeavour to understand the structure and evolution of the universe. Its scope runs from quarks and leptons, the smallest fragments of the universe, through the material world we perceive directly with our senses, and on to stars and galaxies, and the origins and fate of the universe itself. Our aim is to guide you through this territory; to share with you our enthusiasm for it; and to equip you with a range of thinking and practical skills which you will need if your subsequent career is in Physics, and which you will value even if it is not.

Studying Theoretical Physics at Edinburgh allows students to develop:

  • Knowledge and understanding of the physical world and the underlying mathematical methodologies used to describe it;
  • Knowledge of frontier activities capitalising on the strengths of a thriving and diverse research environment;
  • The attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking and the capacity to formulate ideas mathematically and explore them algebraically, graphically, and numerically;
  • Fluency in deriving physical consequences of theoretical ideas;
  • To develop the skills required for employment in science-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers.

Educational Aims of Programme

The educational aims of the Theoretical Physics programme at Edinburgh are:

  • To provide a degree programme with flexibility and choice, accommodating a range of entrance qualifications and experience;
  • To provide a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles and theoretical underpinnings of physics;
  • To provide exposure to frontier activities, capitalising on the strengths of a thriving and diverse research environment in Edinburgh;
  • To provide a balanced training in the methodologies of modern theoretical and computational physics with opportunities for specialisation;
  • To develop general transferable skills related to IT & computing, problem-solving and communication;
  • To provide exposure to frontier research activities in theoretical physics, capitalising on the diverse research environments across the School of Physics and Astronomy;
  • To develop independent research skills via an individual project exploring a current research topic in theoretical physics or other disciplines where a strong theoretical base is beneficial;
  • To provide a platform for employment in science-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By engaging with and completing a degree in Theoretical Physics, graduates will acquire knowledge and understanding of:       

  • The core knowledge base of physics comprising: Newtonian Dynamics; Quantum Mechanics; Special Relativity; Electromagnetism & Optics; Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics; Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics; Condensed Matter Physics; Mathematical Methods in Physics.
  • A balanced training in the methodologies of modern theoretical and computation physics

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and Abilities in Research and Enquiry

The degree programme aims to develop:

  • An attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking;
  • The capacity to formulate ideas mathematically and explore them algebraically, graphically, and numerically;
  • The ability to harness these skills in tandem with the core knowledge base to solve problems;
  • The ability to assimilate and evaluate advanced literature from a range of diverse sources.

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and Abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy

The degree programme aims to develop:

  • A disposition to approach unfamiliar situations with a spirit of critical enquiry;
  • The ability to formulate a physical problem using the appropriate mathematical methodologies.

Programme outcomes: Graduate Attributes - Skills and Abilities in Communication

The degree programme aims to develop:     

  • The ability to formulate a coherent written and oral presentation based on material gathered and organised independently on a given physics topic;
  • The ability to formulate a mathematical argument and communicate this effectively to peers and educators;
  • The capacity to function effectively as a member or leader of a team working towards a joint report and presentation

.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and Abilities in Personal Effectiveness

The degree programme aims to develop:

  • The skills to collaborate effectively and productively with others in the process of inquiry and learning including those with a range of backgrounds and knowledge;
  • The skills to organise their own independent learning to an effective schedule;
  • The commitment to manage time effectively, utilise resources and meet deadlines.

Programme outcomes: Technical/Practical skills

The degree programme aims to develop:

  • Confident facility with general IT resources (WWW for learning and information retrieval; e-mail and bulletin boards for communication; word-processing for document preparation);
  • Facility with the Unix operating system;
  • Scientific programming skills in Python;
  • Numerical programming and computer simulation techniques;
  • Computer algebra and symbolic manipulation;
  • Ability to analyse data and assess what can be inferred from it in the light of theoretical expectations and experimental uncertainties

Programme Structure and Features
The programme structure is a full time, 480pt Scottish Bachelors with Honours with entry at first or second year level and is fully compliant with the University???s Curriculum Framework and Scottish Qualification Framework.

First Year.
Total of 120pt of courses, normally at SCQF Level 8

Specified courses are:
???    Physics 1A: Foundations [20pt]                         SCQF Level 8
???    Physics 1B: The Stuff of the Universe [20pt]                     SCQF Level 8

Either:
???    Mathematics for Physics 1 [20pt]                         SCQF Level 8 
???    Mathematics for Physics 2 [20pt]                         SCQF Level 8
Or:
???    Introduction to Linear Algebra [20pt]                        SCQF Level 8
???    Calculus and Applications [20pt]                        SCQF Level 8

???    40pt of free choice from Schedules A-Q at Level 7/8. 
 Progression requires 120pt of courses from first year. By concession 40pt of courses may be carried but must not include specified courses.

Second Year 
Total of 120pt of courses, normally at SCQF Level 8
 Specified courses are:
???    Modern Physics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 8
???    Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus [10pt]            SCQF Level 8
???    Physics of Fields and Matter [20pt]                        SCQF Level 8
???    Dynamics and Vector Calculus [20pt]                    SCQF Level 8
???    Experimental Physics 2 [10pt]                        SCQF Level 8
???    Programming and Data Analysis [10pt]                                    SCQF Level 8
???    40pt of free choice from Schedules A-Q at Level 8
Progression requires 120pt of courses from second year. 
By concession 40pt of courses may be carried but must not include specified courses.

Second Year Point of Entry 2 (Direct Entry) for suitably qualified students.
Total of 120pt of courses, normally at SCQF Level 8
Specified courses are:
???    Modern Physics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 8
???    Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus [20pt]            SCQF Level 8
???    Physics and Mathematics for Direct Entry [20pt]                SCGF Level 8
???    Physics of Fields and Matter [20pt]                        SCQF Level 8
???    Dynamics and Vector Calculus [20pt]                    SCQF Level 8
???    Experimental Physics 2 [10pt]                        SCQF Level 8
???    Programming and Data Analysis [10pt]                    SCQF Level 8
???    10pt free choice from Schedules A-Q at Level 8

Progression requires 120pt of courses from second year. 
By concession 20pt of courses may be carried but must not include specified courses.

Junior Honours (Third Year)
Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 9
Specified courses are: 
???    Electromagnetism [20pt]                            SCQF Level 9
???    Fourier Analysis and Statistics [20pt]                        SCQF Level 9
???    Research Methods in Physics [10pt]                        SCQF Level 9
???    Quantum Mechanics [20pt]                            SCQF Level 9
Or
Principles of Quantum Mechanics [20pt]                    SCGF Level 10
???    Thermal Physics [20pt]                            SCQF Level 9
???    Methods of Theoretical Physics [20pt]                    SCQF Level 10
Either:
???    Computational Modelling [10pt]                        SCQF Level 9
Or:
???    Numerical Recipes [10pt]                            SCQF Level 9

Progression requires 120pt of courses at first sit. 
Students obtaining 120pt after August re-sits are eligible for Physics BSc (Ord) degree.

Senior Honours (Fourth Year)
Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 10 or 11

Compulsory Courses:
???    Relativity, Nuclear and Particle Physics [20pt]                SCQF Level 10
???    Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics [10pt]                SCQF Level 10
???    Lagrangian Dynamics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 10
???    Physics Skills (BSc) [10pt]                            SCQF Level 10
???    Group Project [10pt]                                SCQF Level 10

Specified Courses, at least [60 pt] to be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters Years from:
???    Methods of Mathematical Physics [10pt]                    SCQF Level 10
???    Symmetries of Quantum Mechanics [10pt]                    SCQF Level 10
???    Quantum Physics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 10
???    Classical Electrodynamics [10pt]                        SCQF Level 11
???    General Relativity [10pt]                            SCQF Level 11
???    Hamiltonian Dynamics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 11
???    Quantum Theory [10pt]                            SCQF Level 11
???    Statistical Physics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 11

Individual Project:
???    Senior Honours Project [20pt]                        SCQF Level 10
Or
Mathematical Physics Honours Projects [10pt]                SCQF Level 10
Or
Science Education Placement in Physics [10pt]                SCQF Level 10        
???    Up to 30pt free choice from Schedule P and Q at Level 10/11. 
Additional courses from other schedules subject to approval.
Progression requires 120pt of courses at first sit. 
Students obtaining 120pt of courses at first sit are by concession permitted to graduate with BSc Honours.

Integrated Masters (Fifth Year)
Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 10 or 11                    

Compulsory Courses to be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters Years 

???    Methods of Mathematical Physics [10pt]                    SCQF Level 10
???    Quantum Physics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 10
???    General Relativity [10pt]                            SCQF Level 11
???    Statistical Physics [10pt]                            SCQF Level 11

Specified Courses, at least [20 pt] to be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters Years from:
???    Symmetries of Quantum Mechanics [10 pt]                    SCQF Level 10
???    Classical Electrodynamics [10 pt]                        SCQF Level 11
???    Hamiltonian Dynamics [10 pt]                            SCQF Level 11
???    Quantum Theory [10 pt]                            SCQF Level 11

Individual Project:
???    MPhys Project [40pt]                                SCQF Level 11
???    MPhys    Project Presentation [10pt]                              SCQF Level 11
        
???    Up to 70pt of free choice from Schedule P and Q at Level 10/11. 
Additional courses from other schedules subject to approval.



Classification of MPhys Honours
Honours classification is determined on the 240 pt of courses taken in Junior Honours, Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years, weighted on a 20:40:40 basis. Classification is based on the University Common Marking Scheme. 

Equality and Diversity
The School is an active participant in the Institute of Physics JUNO project with ???Champion??? status, renewed in 2023, where we monitor and report on the equality and diversity across the whole School including activities of academic staff, research staff, post and undergraduate students. 
 

Teaching and Learning Methods and Strategies

The bulk of the teaching programme is conducted through lectures; the class sizes vary from about 250 in pre-honours courses to about 20 in Senior Honours optional courses. This teaching is supported through tutorial sessions and supervised workshops in which students work in groups of about 5; and through study resources generally delivered through WWW. These resources vary in extent and character; they invariably include a detailed syllabus, reading list and problem-set; in some instances they incorporate substantial multimedia material including self-tests and illustrative simulations. First years and Direct Entry specific courses offer extensive student support to assist the transition into higher education and develop independent learning skills. These include the use of an in-lecture feedback system, peer assisted learning, tailored problem sheets and extensive student ??? tutor feedback in extended workshops classes. Computing/IT courses are conducted through supervised sessions in dedicated teaching laboratories in groups of 10-50. Group Projects typically involve teams of about 5 students working largely autonomously.

Flexible Learning Week
The University of Edinburgh Flexible Learning Week is scheduled in Week 6 of Semester 2.  During this week ???normal??? for staff and students to explore new learning activities teaching is suspended which provides time for group project presentations and space outwith the curriculum to explore new learning activities.  Some examples of the types of activities held in Physics and Astronomy are workshops; peer assisted learning activities, public engagement activities, careers events
 

Assessment Methods and Strategies

Each course has its own assessment criteria appropriate to the specified Learning Outcomes of the course as detailed in the on-line course specification. All courses are assessed using the University Common Marking Scheme. Typical modes of assessment through the programme are detailed below:

Pre-Honours: (first and second year)

Lecture based physics and mathematics courses are assessed by end of course written unseen examinations with typical weight of 80% being augmented by weekly hand-in assignments typically weighted at 20%. These are marked throughout the semester and returned with feedback comments typically within 10 days of submission. All semester 1 pre-honours lecture based courses offered examination feedback workshops as the start of semester 2 where student can view their marked scripts and receive personal feedback from the course staff. Class performance and common error feedback on semester 2 examinations are supplied via the School intranet.

Practical and computing classes are assigned by continuous assessment either via written submitted reports, laboratory notebooks or, for computing classes, specified checkpoints assessed by during the assigned workshop classes. All submitted reports and notebooks are returned with written feedback, and students receive verbal feedback and advice on computer checkpoints from the assessors.

Honours:

Lecture based physics and mathematics courses are mainly assessed by either end of course, or end of year written unseen examinations. Core courses at Junior Honours are augmented by periodic hand-ins with a typical weight of 10% which are marked throughout the course are returned as with written feedback. The reduction in frequency and weight of these hand-ins compared to pre-honours encouraged students to take responsibility for their own learning and time management. In courses with no course work students are encouraged to attempt course questions in advance and seek feedback on their work at the course workshops/tutorials. All students have access to their marked examination scripts via the School Teaching Office.

Practical and computing courses at Junior Honours are assessed as at pre-honours with for experimental laboratory an additional short oral presentation on which feedback is given. Project work as Senior Honours is assessed via laboratory performance, written report and poster presentation; written eedback is given on all aspects. Team and Group exercises in Research Methods, Team Review and Group Project as assessed by a written group report, group presentation and peer moderation.

The main MPhys project in the Integrated Masters year is assessed via laboratory performance, written report, oral presentation and public communications exercise chosen by the student; for example web presentation based at a general audience; the latter two being assessed as a separate course. During the MPhys Project and associated presentation course the student is supervised by academic or research staff who supply feedback regarding on-courses performance and development. Further written feedback is also supplied on all the assessed aspects of these courses.

Career Opportunities
The MPhys programme offers the preparation for a research career in physics either via further academic study, typically towards a PhD or via industrial research.  In addition a wide range of employers recognise that Physics graduates have advanced problem-solving skills and the ability to think logically and critically about complex situations. Add this to a high level of mathematical ability, computing and IT proficiency, and communication skills in written, oral and online media, and Physics graduates have opportunities in a diverse range of careers. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to jobs with Google, the European Space Agency, the BBC, IBM and a variety of other organisations.

Academic and Student Advisers
Each student is assigned an Academic Adviser and a Student Adviser. The Academic Advisor is a member of academic staff and is responsible for providing academic guidance. The Student Adviser is a member of the student support team and is responsible for providing pastoral guidance. Throughout a student's time at the university the Academic Adviser guides the student in the choice of courses and provides general support. The Student Adviser is the student???s first point of contact for all pastoral matters. 

Courses are administered and run through the Teaching Organisation in the School, which produces detailed online course guides for both new and continuing students.  These guides provide the details of course structure and assessment, along with general university policy and regulations
.

Further Information
View the prospectus entry for this programme

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