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:
- Research Project in Physics (60 credits)
- Scientific Critical Thinking and Debating (15 credits)
- Advanced Topics in Physics (15 credits)
Optional Modules
You are required to take at least 30 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:
- Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics (15 credits)
- Theoretical Treatment of Nano-systems (15 credits)
- Standard Model Physics & Beyond (15 credits)
- Mathematical Methods for Theoretical Physics (15 credits)
- Modelling Quantum Many-body Systems (15 credits)
- Dark Matter & Dark Energy (15 credits)
- Advanced Condensed Matter (15 credits)
- Current Topics in Biophysics (15 credits)
- Photonics and Metamaterials (15 credits)
- Lie Groups & Lie Algebras (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:
- Strings, Branes and Quantum Gravity (15 credits)
- Theory of Complex Networks (15 credits)
- Equilibrium Analysis of Complex Systems (15 credits)
- Stochastic Processes and Applications (15 credits)
- Mathematical Biology (15 credits)
- Elements of Statistical Learning (15 credits)
- Supersymmetry and Conformal Field Theory (15 credits)
- Statistics for Data Analysis (15 credits)
- Earth Observation and Remote Sensing for Sustainability (15 credits)
- Modelling Quantum Many-body Systems (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.
You will spend approximately 30% of your time in Lectures, Tutorials and Labs. The remaining 70% of your time will be on self-guided study. This estimate is across the entire programme and therefore weightings are dependant on optional modules selected and nature of research project.
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.
This course may require you to hold ATAS clearance if you receive an offer: this course 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 final deadlines to avoid any delay in obtaining this certificate.
Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2027 (23:59 UK time). The final application deadlines for this course are:
- Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2027 (23:59 UK time)
- Home fee status: 25 August 2027 (23:59 UK time)
After the first application deadline in March:
- if the course 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 course becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the course 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.