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

Degree Programme Table: Mathematical Physics (MPhys) (UTMAPYM)

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
Physics 1A: Foundations

Must be passed and taken during Semester 1

PHYS08016 20 credits
Mathematics for Physics 2

Must be passed and taken during Semester 2

PHYS08036 20 credits
Introduction to Mathematics at University

Must be passed and taken during Semester 1

MATH08078 20 credits
Linear Algebra 1

Must be passed and taken during Semester 2

MATH08079 20 credits
Introduction to Mathematical Analysis

Must be passed and taken during Semester 2

MATH08081 20 credits

Course options

Mathematical Physics Yr 1, Core course options

Select exactly 20 credits of the following courses
Selected courses must be passed
Mathematics for Physics 1
PHYS08035 20 credits
OR

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

Select exactly 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.

For 2026/27: Students repeating the year should take either Modern Physics and/or Introductory Dynamics and not Introduction to Mathematical Physics.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses
Introductory Fields and Waves

Must be passed and taken during Semester 2

PHYS08053 20 credits
Further Analysis and Several Variable Calculus

Must be passed and taken during Semester 2

MATH08082 20 credits
Programming, Data, Probability and Statistics

Must be passed and taken during Full Year

PHYS08061 20 credits
Introduction to Mathematical Physics

Must be passed and taken during Semester 1

PHYS08062 20 credits
Linear Algebra 2

Must be passed and taken during Semester 2

MATH08080 20 credits

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 20 credits in this group.

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

Select exactly 20 credits from Level 7 and 8 courses in Schedules A to T, W and Y
Notes:
Group A applies to continuing students.
OR

Group B

Select exactly 20 credits in this group.

Mathematical Physics Yr 2 Direct Entry Maths options

Select exactly 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
This course must be followed by all Direct Entry Students (POE2).

Pass in this course is compulsory for Direct Entry students to progress to Year 3.
Selected courses must be passed
Accelerated Algebra and Analysis
MATH08083 20 credits

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, Thermal Physics OR Statistical Mechanics.

This is in addition to the general progression requirement.

Compulsory courses

You must take these courses
Lagrangian Dynamics

Must be taken during Semester 1

PHYS10015 10 credits
Principles of Quantum Mechanics

Must be taken during Full Year

PHYS10094 20 credits
Electromagnetism and Relativity

Must be taken during Full Year

PHYS10093 20 credits
Thermal Physics

Must be taken during Full Year

PHYS09061 20 credits
Honours Complex Variables

Must be taken during Semester 2

MATH10067 20 credits

Course options

Mathemetical Physics JH options

Select exactly 20 credits of the following courses
Numerical Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications
MATH10060 10 credits
Honours Differential Equations
MATH10066 20 credits
Honours Analysis
MATH10068 20 credits
Honours Algebra
MATH10069 20 credits
Geometry
MATH10074 10 credits
Research Methods in Physics
PHYS09056 10 credits
Observational Astronomy
PHYS09059 20 credits
Experimental Physics 3 (CP10)
PHYS09062 10 credits
Experimental Physics 3
PHYS09063 20 credits
AND

Physics and Astronomy JH Computational Course Options

Select exactly 10 credits of the following courses
Computer Modelling
PHYS09057 10 credits
Numerical Recipes
PHYS10090 10 credits

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
Methods of Mathematical Physics

Must be taken during Semester 1

PHYS10034 10 credits
Quantum Theory

Must be taken during Semester 1

PHYS11019 10 credits
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics

Must be taken during Semester 1

PHYS10099 10 credits
Nuclear and Particle Physics

Must be taken during Semester 1

PHYS10106 10 credits
Symmetries of Quantum Mechanics

Must be taken during Semester 2

PHYS10083 10 credits
Group Project

Must be taken during Full Year

PHYS11011 10 credits
Classical Electrodynamics

Must be taken during Semester 2

PHYS11045 10 credits

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 50 credits in this group.

Mathematical Physics MPhys, SH/IM core courses

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
These courses must be followed in either Senior Honours or Integrated Masters year.
Hamiltonian Dynamics
PHYS11012 10 credits
Statistical Physics
PHYS11024 10 credits
AND

Mathematical Physics MPhys, SH/IM Relativity options

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
At least one of these courses must be followed in either Senior Honours or Integrated Masters year.
Geometry of General Relativity
MATH11138 10 credits
General Relativity
PHYS11010 10 credits
AND

Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, Senior Honours Projects

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
At least 10 credits must be taken from this list if the student has not taken at least one of the following in Junior Honours or Senior Honours years:
MATH10066 - Honours Differential Equations
MATH10068 - Honours Analysis
MATH10069 - Honours Algebra
PHYS11061 - Electronic Structure Theory
Senior Honours Project (Physics & Astronomy) Semester 1
PHYS10086 20 credits
Senior Honours Project (Physics & Astronomy) Semester 2
PHYS10087 20 credits
Mathematical Physics Honours Project
PHYS10107 10 credits
Science Communication and Public Engagement
PHYS10113 20 credits
AND

Mathematical Physics MPhys SH common maths options

Select between 0 and 50 credits of the following courses
Notes:
These are common choices from the School of Mathematics. Further School of Mathematics options are also available (see below).
Honours Differential Equations
MATH10066 20 credits
Honours Analysis
MATH10068 20 credits
Honours Algebra
MATH10069 20 credits
Geometry
MATH10074 10 credits
Quantum Information
MATH11169 10 credits
AND

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 10

Select between 0 and 50 credits of the following courses
Notes:
This selection includes all available Level 10 course options for SH/IM students in Physics and Astronomy.
Lagrangian Dynamics
PHYS10015 10 credits
Methods of Mathematical Physics
PHYS10034 10 credits
Modelling and Visualisation in Physics
PHYS10035 10 credits
Physics Skills
PHYS10042 10 credits
Quantum Physics
PHYS10043 10 credits
Symmetries of Quantum Mechanics
PHYS10083 10 credits
Numerical Recipes
PHYS10090 10 credits
Solid State Physics
PHYS10095 10 credits
Soft Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS10097 10 credits
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS10099 10 credits
Data Acquisition and Handling
PHYS10100 10 credits
Methods of Theoretical Physics
PHYS10105 20 credits
Quantum Computing Project
PHYS10110 10 credits
Astrophysics: Stars and Planets
PHYS10111 20 credits
Astrophysics: Galaxies and Cosmology
PHYS10112 20 credits
AND

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 11

Select between 0 and 50 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.
Symmetries of Particles and Fields
PGPH11097 10 credits
Detectors in Particle & Nuclear Physics
PGPH11104 10 credits
Advanced Statistical Physics
PHYS11007 10 credits
General Relativity
PHYS11010 10 credits
Hamiltonian Dynamics
PHYS11012 10 credits
Quantum Theory
PHYS11019 10 credits
Statistical Physics
PHYS11024 10 credits
Advanced Cosmology
PHYS11035 10 credits
Computational Astrophysics
PHYS11037 10 credits
Biological Physics
PHYS11040 10 credits
Nuclear Physics
PHYS11041 10 credits
Particle Physics
PHYS11042 10 credits
Lasers and Applications
PHYS11044 10 credits
Classical Electrodynamics
PHYS11045 10 credits
Nuclear Astrophysics
PHYS11053 10 credits
Geometry and Physics of Soft Condensed Matter
PHYS11055 10 credits
Electronic Structure Theory
PHYS11061 10 credits
Current Topics in Particle Physics
PHYS11063 10 credits
Medical Physics
PHYS11064 10 credits
Quantum Field Theory
PHYS11065 20 credits
Physics of Extreme Environments
PHYS11066 10 credits
Radiation Processes in Astrophysics
PHYS11067 20 credits
Galaxy Evolution
PHYS11070 20 credits
Scientific Image Analysis
PHYS11071 20 credits
Gauge Theories in Particle Physics
PHYS11072 20 credits
Theoretical methods for fusion and astrophysical plasmas
PHYS11073 20 credits
Data Analysis and Machine Learning in Physics
PHYS11074 20 credits
AND

Level 10 and 11 courses in the School of Mathematics

Select between 0 and 50 credits from Level 10 and 11 courses in the School of Mathematics
Notes:
Level 10 and 11 courses from the School of Mathematics. 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
MPhys Project

Must be taken during Full Year

PHYS11016 40 credits
MPhys Project Presentation
PHYS11049 10 credits

Course options

Group A

Select exactly 70 credits in this group.

Mathematical Physics MPhys, SH/IM core courses

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
These courses must be taken, unless they have already been taken in Senior Honours year.
Hamiltonian Dynamics
PHYS11012 10 credits
Statistical Physics
PHYS11024 10 credits
AND

Mathematical Physics MPhys, SH/IM Relativity options

Select between 0 and 20 credits of the following courses
Notes:
At least one of these courses must be taken, unless one has already been taken in Senior Honours year.
Geometry of General Relativity
MATH11138 10 credits
General Relativity
PHYS11010 10 credits
AND

Mathematical Physics MPhys SH common maths options

Select between 0 and 30 credits of the following courses
Notes:
These are common choices from the School of Mathematics. Further School of Mathematics courses are also available (see below).
Honours Differential Equations
MATH10066 20 credits
Honours Analysis
MATH10068 20 credits
Honours Algebra
MATH10069 20 credits
Geometry
MATH10074 10 credits
Quantum Information
MATH11169 10 credits
AND

Physics & Astronomy SH/IM Options - Level 10

Select between 0 and 70 credits of the following courses
Notes:
Level 10 options for SH/IM students in Physics and Astronomy.
Lagrangian Dynamics
PHYS10015 10 credits
Methods of Mathematical Physics
PHYS10034 10 credits
Modelling and Visualisation in Physics
PHYS10035 10 credits
Physics Skills
PHYS10042 10 credits
Quantum Physics
PHYS10043 10 credits
Symmetries of Quantum Mechanics
PHYS10083 10 credits
Numerical Recipes
PHYS10090 10 credits
Solid State Physics
PHYS10095 10 credits
Soft Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS10097 10 credits
Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
PHYS10099 10 credits
Data Acquisition and Handling
PHYS10100 10 credits
Methods of Theoretical Physics
PHYS10105 20 credits
Quantum Computing Project
PHYS10110 10 credits
Astrophysics: Stars and Planets
PHYS10111 20 credits
Astrophysics: Galaxies and Cosmology
PHYS10112 20 credits
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.
Symmetries of Particles and Fields
PGPH11097 10 credits
Detectors in Particle & Nuclear Physics
PGPH11104 10 credits
Advanced Statistical Physics
PHYS11007 10 credits
General Relativity
PHYS11010 10 credits
Hamiltonian Dynamics
PHYS11012 10 credits
Quantum Theory
PHYS11019 10 credits
Statistical Physics
PHYS11024 10 credits
Advanced Cosmology
PHYS11035 10 credits
Computational Astrophysics
PHYS11037 10 credits
Biological Physics
PHYS11040 10 credits
Nuclear Physics
PHYS11041 10 credits
Particle Physics
PHYS11042 10 credits
Lasers and Applications
PHYS11044 10 credits
Classical Electrodynamics
PHYS11045 10 credits
Nuclear Astrophysics
PHYS11053 10 credits
Geometry and Physics of Soft Condensed Matter
PHYS11055 10 credits
Electronic Structure Theory
PHYS11061 10 credits
Current Topics in Particle Physics
PHYS11063 10 credits
Medical Physics
PHYS11064 10 credits
Quantum Field Theory
PHYS11065 20 credits
Physics of Extreme Environments
PHYS11066 10 credits
Radiation Processes in Astrophysics
PHYS11067 20 credits
Galaxy Evolution
PHYS11070 20 credits
Scientific Image Analysis
PHYS11071 20 credits
Gauge Theories in Particle Physics
PHYS11072 20 credits
Theoretical methods for fusion and astrophysical plasmas
PHYS11073 20 credits
Data Analysis and Machine Learning in Physics
PHYS11074 20 credits
AND

Level 10 and 11 courses in the School of Mathematics

Select between 0 and 70 credits from Level 10 and 11 courses in the School of Mathematics
Notes:
Level 10 and 11 options from the School of Mathematics. At least 120 credits of Level 11 courses must be taken over Senior Honours and Integrated Masters years.
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