Physics MRes
Start in: September 2022
Gain advanced research skills and knowledge with our MRes Physics. It prepares you for a PhD or a career in a commercial research and development environment.
Overview
This research master's in physics gives you:
- advanced research skills and knowledge in physics
- problem-solving skills
- quantitative analysis knowledge
You'll be suitable for the programme if you have a BSc in physics, or a closely related subject such as mathematics, chemistry or engineering.
A major part of the programme is to work within a research group. You'll employ modern techniques and equipment to tackle a problem of fundamental or technological importance.
Your topic of study will be either experimental or theoretical, in one of our areas of physics research.
- photonics
- 2D materials and sensing
- nanoelectronics technology
- materials for low-cost environmental sensing
For further information about these themes, see our School website.
- materials modelling from first principles
- astrophysics and geophysics
- quantum fluids and turbulence
- cosmology and quantum gravity
- quantum matter and quantum technologies
- metamaterials and light-matter interaction
For further information about these themes, see our School website.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.
View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information
What you'll learn
During the taught part of the MRes Physics you'll gain:
- advanced knowledge and understanding your chosen area of physics research
- an understanding of the core principles of research
Depending on your topic, this may include:
- training in fabrication and characterisation of advanced materials in cleanroom facilities
- modules in quantum fluids, astrophysics and geophysics, and solid-state physics
- training in advanced programming and using high-performance computing facilities
- training in experimental analytic techniques such as spectroscopy
You'll also receive training in general research skills and principles, and other professional skills.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Skills I: Scientific Methods | 20 |
| Research Skills II: Project Proposal | 15 |
| Advanced Experimental Research Sklls | 15 |
| Research Project | 110 |
You also take the following compulsory module:
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Research Skills I: Scientific Methods | 20 |
| Research Skills II: Project Proposal | 15 |
| Computational Research Skills in Physics | 15 |
| Research Project | 110 |
How you'll learn
Modules will be delivered through a combination of:
- lectures
- research seminars
- interactive workshops
- small-group tutorials
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Poster
- Portfolio
- Report
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
The Degree Programme Director, Dr Thomas Billam is a Lecturer in Applied Mathematics/Quantum. Dr Billam’s principal research interests are the non-equilibrium dynamics of ultracold Bose gases.
In particular:
- quantum vortex dynamics
- two-dimensional quantum turbulence
- non-equilibrium Bose-Einstein condensate dynamics in the presence of significant quantum depletion and finite temperatures
- bright solitary matter-waves and their application to interferometry.
- effects of disorder on non-equilibrium dynamics and critical phenomena in ultracold Bose gases
In addition to exploring fundamental theoretical questions in these areas, Dr Billam has a strong interest in:
- modelling current ultracold atom experiments
- working to propose new ones
Areas of expertise:
Non-equilibrium dynamics of ultracold Bose gases, in particular:
- Quantum vortex dynamics and turbulence
- Matter-waves solitons and their applications to interferometry
- Finite-temperature models
Your development
Professional skills
You'll develop advanced research skills and knowledge during the taught element of the programme. The initial modules train and encourage you to take ownership of your own learning.
You'll be able to use these skills you develop to tackle a research project of technological or fundamental importance. The extended project will provide excellent opportunities for independent learning and critical thinking.
During the programme, you'll develop a broad range of in-demand technical skills for your future career in academia, industry or business. These will include industrially relevant skills such as:
- working in a state-of-the-art research laboratory environment
- advanced scientific programming (theoretical stream)
Your future
Graduate destinations
The MRes Physics will be at the forefront of research-led teaching and professional development. You'll graduate with a strong and in-demand portfolio of research skills.
Our postgraduate research students can progress to a variety of careers in the following sectors:
- academia
- finance and commerce
- software development
- data analysis
- semiconductor industry
- government
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
If you're undertaking the experimental stream, you'll be able to carry out your project in modern research facilities.
If you're undertaking the theoretical stream, you'll be able to access our high-performance-computing facility with over 5000 cores and 500TB of storage.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2022 entry (per year)
Fees for the Physics MRes (Theoretical) include access to a high-performance computing facility.
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
- additional costs
- living costs
- tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2022 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
How to apply
Using the application portal
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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the applicant portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
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We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
For queries about this course please contact:
Postgraduate Secretary
School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6960
Email: maths.physics@ncl.ac.uk
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