Strand Campus
Strand Campus feels like the heart of London—historic yet buzzing with energy. Nestled by the Thames, it offers world-class academics, vibrant student life, and endless inspiration from the city’s culture and diversity.
Overview
Our Physics MSc programme is designed to strengthen your knowledge in core areas of advanced physics, including some of the most rapidly developing fields today. From particle physics and cosmology to experimental biophysics and nanotechnology, to the theory and simulation of condensed matter, the huge number of optional modules means you can specialise in the areas that interest you, covering a lot of ground in just one year.
You will also have the opportunity to tackle an advanced project in your area of interest, conducting novel research under the supervision of our world-leading experts. This project will build your skills in project management, independent working, taking initiative, resilience, analytical thinking, and presentation and communication.
Alongside providing you with the advanced knowledge and skills required to become an active scientist, the course trains graduates who use their skills to pursue a range of successful careers in everything from management and finance to medicine and pharmaceuticals, and from tech and start-ups to engineering and aerospace.
Key benefits
- 8th in UK for Physics & Astronomy (QS and Times Higher Education).
- Research-led course taught by staff who are recognised leaders in their field, including in astrophysics and cosmology, metamaterials and nanotechnology, biophysics, and quantum science.
- Get access to state-of-the-art lab spaces and supercomputers, including for experimental nanoplasmonics, bio-imaging, near-field optics and nanophotonics, including those managed by the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
- Benefit from talks, seminars, and conferences with leading physicists – including Nobel Laureates – hosted by the Department, their research groups and physics student societies.
- Central location gives you easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society and the Royal Institution.
- Take modules from the Departments of Mathematics and Informatics, and from other universities including Royal Holloway.
- Excellent tutorial support, extensive course-specific interactive teaching and extensive project work.
- 6th in the UK for producing the most employable graduates (Times Higher Education Graduate Employability rankings 2025).
One of the great things about the Physics MSc is the huge amount of choice in modules: you get to choose nearly all your modules and topics, so you can curate a degree that focusses in on any area you want
AlexiaPhysics MSc
Course essentials
Our Physics MSc offers an advanced understanding of significant research elements in rapidly developing and exciting fields. You'll join a friendly, supportive department and learn from internationally renowned scientists, with links to major collaborations like the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the LIGO gravitational wave observatory, and the European Space Agency's exoplanet exploration project.
Alongside core modules that build your research, analytical, and communication skills, you'll have the freedom to customise your study path with a wide range of innovative optional modules. This includes courses from the Departments of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Royal Holloway's Physics Department. Some modules also feature group projects and training in advanced experimental techniques.
In the summer, you'll complete a substantial research project where you'll develop skills in planning, execution, and dissemination. This project offers an exciting challenge that will build your independence, initiative, and resilience by undertaking a literature review followed by a novel research investigation, whether experimental or theoretical. Potential project topic include the effects of dark matter on stars, quantum computing in many body systems, metamaterials for sensing, or the search for neutrinos in gravitational wave events.
For experimental or numerical projects, there's even the option to join major active research projects alongside PhD and Postdoc researchers, with some students publishing their work in academic journals.
The majority of learning for this degree takes place at the King’s College London Strand Campus, with occasional lectures and practical sessions taking place at the Waterloo Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
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
Credit value:
UK 180/ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026
Administrative bodies
Regulating body
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.
Base campus