THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2026/2027

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : DPTs :  School of Physics and Astronomy DPTs
Jump to: Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5

Year 1 Academic year: 2026/27, Starting in: September

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 20 credits in this group.

Informatics 1 - Introduction to Programming

Select exactly 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
Introduction to Programming INFR07004 is required for students without significant programming and software engineering experience prior to university, which may have come through formal qualifications or personal practice. Students with grade A at Advanced Higher Computing Science or A-level Computer Science are not permitted to take the course. Other students are required to take a diagnostic test which will indicate whether they are able to opt out of the course or not.
OR

Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to T, W and Y

Select between 0 and 20 credits from Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to T, W and Y

Year 2 Academic year: 2026/27, Starting in: August

Notes:
Progression to third year requires passes in all compulsory courses listed below, in addition to the general progression requirements.

You should meet with your Academic Advisor in Welcome Week to confirm your selection of optional courses.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 20 credits in this group.

Physics and Astronomy Year 2, Direct Entry Students

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
Direct Entry (PoE2) students MUST take this course. Continuing students MUST NOT take this course.
AND

Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to T, W and Y

Select between 0 and 20 credits from Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to T, W and Y

Year 3 Academic year: 2026/27, Starting in: August

Notes:
Progression to fourth year requires passes in the following compulsory courses: Electromagnetism OR Electromagnetism and Relativity, Quantum Mechanics OR Principles of Quantum Mechanics.

This is in addition to the general progression requirement.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses

Year 4 Academic year: 2026/27, Starting in: August

Notes:
You should meet with your Academic Advisor in Welcome Week to confirm your selection of optional courses.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses

Course options

Physics and Astronomy Senior Honours Projects

Select exactly 20 credits of the following courses
AND

Group A

Select exactly 20 credits in this group.

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 10

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
This selection includes all available Level 10 course options for SH/IM students in Physics and Astronomy.
AND

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 11

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
This selection includes all available Level 11 course options for SH/IM students in Physics and Astronomy.

At least 120 credits of Level 11 courses must be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years.
AND

Level 10 courses in the School of Informatics

Select between 0 and 20 credits from Level 10 courses in the School of Informatics
Notes:
Level 10 options from the School of Informatics.
AND

Level 11 courses in the School of Informatics

Select between 0 and 20 credits from Level 11 courses in the School of Informatics
Notes:
Level 11 options from the School of Informatics. At least 120 credits of level 11 courses must be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years.

Year 5 Academic year: 2026/27, Starting in: August

Notes:
At least 120 credits of Level 11 courses must be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years.

Graduation with an MPhys requires a pass in the MPhys Project.

You should meet with your Academic Advisor in Welcome Week to confirm your selection of optional courses.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 70 credits in this group.

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 10

Select between 0 and 40 credits of the following courses
Notes:
Level 10 options for SH/IM students in Physics and Astronomy.
AND

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 11

Select between 0 and 70 credits of the following courses
Notes:
Level 11 options for SH/IM students in Physics and Astronomy.

At least 120 credits of Level 11 courses must be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years.
AND

Level 10 courses in the School of Informatics

Select between 0 and 40 credits from Level 10 courses in the School of Informatics
Notes:
Level 10 options from the School of Informatics.
AND

Level 11 courses in the School of Informatics

Select between 0 and 70 credits from Level 11 courses in the School of Informatics
Notes:
Level 11 options from the School of Informatics. At least 120 credits of level 11 courses must be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years.

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