Teaching & modules
Modules
Courses are divided into modules, and students on this course take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required Modules
You are required to take:
- Scientific Critical Thinking and Debating (15 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Physics (15 credits)
- Research Project in Physics (60 credits)
Optional Modules
You are required to take at least 30 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
- Photonics and Metamaterials (15 credits)
- Theoretical Treatment of Nano-systems (15 credits)
- Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics (15 credits)
- Bio & Nanomaterials in the Virtual Lab (15 credits)
- Standard Model Physics & Beyond (15 credits)
- Advanced Condensed Matter (15 credits)
- Modelling Quantum Many-body Systems (15 credits)
- Dark Matter & Dark Energy (15 credits)
- Gravitational Wave Physics (15 credits)
- Quantum information and computing (15 credits)
- Statistical Field Theory (15 credits)
Additionally, you are required to take sufficient credits to bring your total for the year to 180, from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
Modules offered by the King’s College London Department of Mathematics
- Lie Groups & Lie Algebras (15 credits)
- Strings, Branes and Quantum Gravity (15 credits)
- Supersymmetry and Conformal Field Theory (15 credits)
- Theory of Complex Networks (15 credits)
- Equilibrium Analysis of Complex Systems (15 credits)
- Dynamical Analysis of Complex Systems (15 credits)
- Mathematical Biology (15 credits)
- Elements of Statistical Learning (15 credits)
- Quantum Field Theory (15 credits)
Modules typically offered by Royal Holloway, University of London
- Advanced Particle Physics (15 credits)
- Particle Accelerator Physics (15 credits)
- Nano-Electronics and Quantum Technology (15 credits)
- Superconductors and Superfluids (15 credits)
- Statistical Data Analysis (15 credits)
- Analysing Gravitational Waves (15 credits)
- Statistical Mechanics (15 credits)
- Advanced Astrophysics (15 credits)
- Order and Excitations in Quantum Materials (15 credits)
- Advanced Quantum Theory (15 credits)
Teaching methods - what to expect
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work, e.g. 150 hours work for a 15-credit module. These hours cover every aspect of the module, including independent study.
At King’s, all students are allocated a Personal Tutor who will play a key role in helping you to get the most out of your studies, providing support and encouragement for your time at university. Personal tutors provide you with the opportunity to periodically take stock of your learning, academic progress and general wellbeing as you progress through your studies, offering guidance on how to seek further support if you need it, and how to access the range of opportunities available to you as a King's student.
Assessment
- Coursework
- Written/Practical Examinations
- Essays
- Class Tests
- Assignment Reports
- Oral Presentations
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include written exams and essays, with some class testing, assignment reports and oral presentations.
Application closing date guidance
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.
ATAS clearance if you receive an offer: this programme requires all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (with some exceptions) to have an ATAS certificate before they can enrol at King’s – this clearance can take a number of months (minimum 30 working days) and expected to be longer particularly during April and September. We therefore advise applying as soon as possible and earlier than the below deadlines to avoid any delay in obtaining this certificate.
Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2026 (23:59 UK time). The final application deadlines for this programme are:
- Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2026 (23:59 UK time)
- Home fee status: 25 August 2026 (23:59 UK time)
After the first application deadline in March:
- if the programme is not yet full, we will continue to accept applications until all available places are filled up to the final application deadlines above
- if the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications
Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline, and we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026