MSc Physics (by research)

At York, our renowned research areas play a leading role on both the national and international stages, collaborating with industries and major higher education institutions. If your passion lies in research, our Masters by research degree provides the opportunity for academic independence, allowing you to focus on your research project, alongside a small number of taught modules.

Your research

The focus of your work will be an independent research project. You'll be supported with a small number of taught modules to develop your knowledge and practical skills.

You'll have 12 months to carry out your research project, and a further three months (if needed) to write your thesis.

You'll be part of one of our leading research groups, which bring together expertise in fields such as condensed matter and materials physics, nuclear physics, plasma and fusion science and technologies, physics of life, and quantum science and technologies.

Transfer to PhD

You may be able to transfer to the PhD programme, if your project is of a sufficiently high standard and has the potential to be explored in greater depth.

Supervision

You will be supervised on a one-to-one basis by a member of the academic staff. We also offer opportunities for co-supervision, within the School and across the wider University, to support interdisciplinary projects. Your supervisor will help guide your progress, supported by a thesis advisory panel.

Before applying, we encourage you to learn about our academics and how their work and expertise fit your interests. Our academic staff are happy to answer any questions on their research interests or discuss a project you might have in mind. Most of our academics accept applications for self-funded MSc study all year round.

Find a supervisor

Funding

• School of Physics, Engineering and Technology funding
• Funding for research degrees

Course location

This course is run by the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology. 

You will be based on Campus West. Most of your training and supervision meetings will take place here, though your research may take you further afield.

We offer a distance learning (DL) option for the MSc by research programme if you cannot live in York full- or part-time. As part of the application process, we will ask for justification for taking the DL option and will then assess the feasibility of the work programme. The latter will be embodied in a plan of study outlining resources and facilities needed, training requirements and an associated timeline, which will need to be in place before being accepted onto the programme. Unless special arrangements can be agreed in advance, a research topic that requires specialised equipment and facilities may not be possible with the DL option.

Entry requirements

You should have, or be about to complete, a BSc degree at 2:2 (or equivalent) in Physics, or a related subject.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.

English language requirements

Applying

Apply for the MSc by research

Apply for the MSc by research - distance learning

Find a supervisor

Advertised research projects

If you are applying for an advertised research project, please include the project name in your application. You should contact the project leader in advance, who may also ask you to submit a full research proposal.  Advertised research projects may be funded or self-funded, as indicated in the advert.

Find a project

Research proposals

If you are not applying for a particular research project, you should contact the member of the academic staff you wish to work with, who may provide you with a research/project outline.

The research proposal needs to describe the nature of your proposed study and give some indication of how you will conduct your research. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that you and your potential supervisor(s) have matching research interests. The proposal should be 250 to 350 words in length. It must be in English, and be your own words.