MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research

Why choose Herts?

Employability: learn crucial analytical and problem-solving skills to equip you for your career in research or industry
Cutting-edge research: be at the frontier of research in the field through a specialist lecture series with guest lectures
Active research culture: participate in an active research community alongside internationally recognised experts

Funding available*

The normal entry requirements for the programme are a 2:1 or above Honours degree (or equivalent) in physics, mathematics or a closely related subject, where the degree is accredited by a professional statutory regulatory body such as the Institute of Physics (or a body of equivalent standing in a related subject or overseas).

If you wish to join the course with a 2:2, applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, where entry may be possible based on additional information and/or an interview.


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

Upon graduation, you’ll be well-equipped for a career in a variety of industries and stand out with advanced analytical and problem-solving skills. Theoretical physics graduates go on to careers in IT and technology, banking and investment management, in consultancy, and in a variety of other areas including the energy and environmental sectors, materials science, telecommunications, and engineering.

The course also provides you with the building blocks for PhD study and a research career in academia. This is an exciting time to progress onto a pathway in research and academia due to increased investment in the UK in the mathematical and physical sciences. Your skills as a theoretical physics graduate will be in high demand.

About the course

Theoretical physics addresses foundational questions: What is our universe made of? And how does it work? Throughout this course, you’ll be exposed to the elegant and unifying mathematical ideas that underpin humanity’s best answers to these questions to date.

You’ll explore the fundamental physical theories which govern the behaviour of space, time and matter. From the quantum field theories that allow us to compute amplitudes in high-energy particle scattering experiments, to the geometry of black holes and other curved spacetimes, you’ll gain exposure to the key concepts of the field.

This is just the start of your journey. Through project work and research seminars, you will explore the latest research and undertake your own scientific exploration.

Why choose this course?

Research-informed teaching and scientific exploration is the core focus of the course. Bringing you to the forefront of research in the field, this course will ensure you are fully prepared to pursue a career in research academia, or in industry applying your skills and knowledge to solve a range of business needs.

You’ll benefit from being taught by experts within the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics. Our researchers are internationally recognised for their expertise in areas of theoretical physics, including:

supergravity, strings and generalised geometry
scattering amplitudes in gauge theory
integrability in quantum field theory
quantum groups and integrable systems.

You will work side-by-side with our academics, contributing to seminars and participating in an active research culture.

Find out more about the Mathematics and Mathematical Physics research group.

Unique to this course, you’ll also attend a lecture series on Recent Advances designed to expose you to the latest cutting-edge research and the material which is underpinning modern developments in the field.

The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics is also a member of the South East Physics NETwork (SEPNET). You’ll have access to a rich collection of resources, including:

networking opportunities
lectures and events
access to research
opportunities for placements and careers.

Find out more about the South East Physics NETwork (SEPNET).

The University of Hertfordshire was ranked 2nd in the East of England (after Cambridge) for Physics and Astronomy (2023 Complete University Guide).

What will I study?

The course aims to develop hard skills in conceptualisation and critical thinking, mathematical and scientific writing, and also soft skills – in communication, teamwork and presentation– which are highly transferable as well as being vital in academic research.

Your core modules will each be taught across two hours of lectures and one hour of classroom tutorials per week. Assessment will be a mix of exams and course work assignments. Core topics include:

Quantum Field Theory
Relativity and Field Theory
General Relativity
Groups and Representations

Optional modules provide you with the opportunity to customise your degree. These include:

Lagrangian Dynamics
Statistics and Analysis
High Energy Astrophysics
Physics of Elementary Particles.

In addition to these, you’ll benefit from a series of Recent Advances lectures designed specifically to explore active topics in the field and bring you closer to the research frontier. This module will bridge the gap between traditional teaching, and the more collaborative and open-ended style of working with real-life research. Teaching is in the form of two to three lectures a week delivered by staff and visiting academics. Assessment takes the form of a series of written essays.

The course requires a substantial commitment of individual study time, especially in the core Research Project module. This project allows you to develop your research skills with the support of a staff member. However, you’re expected to be able to work with a substantial degree of independence.

Unique to the Advanced Research pathway, the Research Seminar module takes these ideas one step further. You’ll take an active role, in conjunction with staff, and work collaboratively with peers, taking turns to synthesise and present topics for a series of individual seminar-style talks. You’ll develop strong skills in public speaking and presentation skills, which are vital both within academia and in industry.

Throughout your studies, you’ll be allocated a personal tutor who will be the first port of call for all academic issues and is available for 1:1 drop-in sessions.

Where will I study?

Learn in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, opening in 2024, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones.

You will benefit from two new dedicated physics teaching labs. The new building will also be home to the Centre for Climate Change Research and the Wolfson Centre for Biodetection and Instrumentation Research, which have both been created in response to the most pressing global challenges.

You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.

The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Groups and Representations	15 Credits	Compulsory
Representation theory of groups plays an important role in abstract algebra as well as having important applications in other disciplines such as theoretical physics or crystallography. It provides a concrete way to study groups and their properties by representing them as a group of matrices, which is significantly more accessible than a generic group. This approach has been very fruitful in developing our understanding of groups over the last century and, among other applications, allowed for a proper description of elementary constituents of nature. This module will provide a rigorous introduction to the main ideas and notions of groups and their representations, including representations of finite groups and Lie groups. It will also have a strong computational strand: a large part of the module will be devoted to explicit computations of representations and character tables.
The Physics of Elementary Particles	15 Credits	Optional
The module will provide an account of the particle physics of the standard model, our most complete theory of the fundamental rules governing the microscopic nature of matter and forces. The material will cover everything from the early ideas of the start of the twentieth century through to the modern picture, which represents our current understanding and has only been confirmed much more recently by large international experiments, such as those based at CERN. In this module you will develop your skills in problem solving and research enquiry, scientific writing and information searching, and conceptualisation.
Lagrangian Dynamics	15 Credits	Optional
This module introduces the powerful mathematics used in the study of dynamical systems. We start with the calculus of variations, a topic which deals with "extremisation" questions in geometry, e.g. "What shape does a soap-film form?", or "What curve is formed by a heavy chain hanging under its own weight?". These techniques can be applied to mechanical systems, and it turns out that the laws of motion themselves arise from extremising some quantity – the "action". This Lagrangian perspective gives a powerful way to compute a system's equations of motion and to understand its symmetries. Finally the module describes how the Hamiltonian formalism reduces these second order equations to first-order, and in so doing introduces the concept of phase space while touching on the rich topic of symplectic geometry. The module develops skills in research enquiry and problem solving, analysis and evaluation, and conceptualisation and critical thinking.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Relativity and Field Theory	15 Credits	Compulsory
Relativistic field theory is a central topic in high energy physics, in the contexts both of accelerator physics and of astrophysics. This theoretical physics module aims to give a grounding in classical relativistic field theory and associated mathematical techniques. Thus, we start with the Lorentz symmetry group and build up 4-vector notation, the notions of vectors, covectors and tensors, and of scalar and vector fields on Minkowski spacetime. In particular we discuss the wave equation for a massive real scalar field in 3+1 dimensions, and the use of Green's functions in its solution. We discuss the relativistic form of Maxwell's equations of motion and introduce the 4-vector gauge potential. We then move on to Lagrangian field theory and the principle of least action. The role of symmetry principles in Lagrangian field theory is emphasised, and Noether's theorem introduced. In particular we give the action for Maxwell theory and discuss its origin in U(1) gauge symmetry. If time permits we shall introduce spinor representation of SO(3,1) and the Dirac equation for spin-half particles. The module develops skills in research enquiry and problem solving, analysis and evaluation, and conceptualisation and critical thinking
General Relativity	15 Credits	Compulsory
Einstein's revolutionary theory describes gravity as the curvature of space-time, and emerged from his "happiest thought" - that gravity vanishes in a free-falling elevator (and the equivalence of gravity and acceleration). Follow Einstein's thought processes and learn the relativistic theory of gravity, which predicts some of the most mysterious (but observed!) astrophysical phenomena – black holes, the expanding Universe, and gravitational waves. In this module you will develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation, scientific writing and information searching, and conceptualisation.
Quantum Field Theory	15 Credits	Compulsory
Quantum Field Theory (QFT) is a powerful framework for fundamental particle physics. It underpins the Standard Model of elementary particles, possibly our most precise and well-tested scientific theory. QFT treats particles as excited states of underlying fields, uniting classical relativistic field theory with quantum mechanics. Learn about path integrals, Feynman diagrams and rules, and their application to scattering processes in particle accelerators, where new particles (such as the Higgs boson) continue to be discovered in some of the most ambitious "big science" projects ever undertaken.
Recent Advances in Theoretical Physics I	30 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, students will be introduced to a variety of topics in modern theoretical physics beyond those appearing in standard undergraduate programmes. Topics covered are foundational to many areas of current research, from quantum computing to black holes, and are intended to provide a springboard to allow students to engage in research activity. The learning activities will also develop skills in analysis and evaluation, literature searching, conceptualisation and critical thinking, scientific writing, and communication and presentation, key desirables for the CVs of job/research applicants.
Recent Advances in Theoretical Physics II	30 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, students will be introduced to a variety of topics in modern theoretical physics beyond those appearing in standard undergraduate programmes. Topics covered are foundational to many areas of current research, from quantum computing to black holes, and are intended to provide a springboard to allow students to engage in research activity. The learning activities will also develop skills in analysis and evaluation, literature searching, conceptualisation and critical thinking, scientific writing, and communication and presentation, key desirables for the CVs of job/research applicants.
Research Seminar	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students will be active members of a research seminar group. The goal is to learn collaboratively about contemporary topics in theoretical physics. Students will prepare and present seminar-style talks - exercising a substantial control over the choice of topics - and lead the group discussion in the seminars. This is much closer to the reality of scientific work than standard lecture-based learning; it provides valuable preparation for research, while developing skills in research enquiry, problem solving, organisational working, interpersonal/communication skills, and presentation and public speaking.
Theoretical Physics Research Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
Students will carry out a major piece of investigative work at the interface with current research in theoretical or mathematical physics. A successful project will become a key feature of a student's professional profile and CV, often a central talking point in graduate job and/or postgraduate applications. The module develops skills in research enquiry, problem solving, analysis and evaluation, organisational working, interpersonal and communication skills, scientific writing, information searching, conceptualisation, critical thinking, adaptation to context, synthesis and creativity, personal evaluation/development, and ethical awareness and application.
High Energy Astrophysics	15 Credits	Optional
High-energy astrophysics is "the astrophysics of high-energy processes and its application in astrophysical contexts" (Longair). Such processes are typically associated with extreme objects, like black holes, neutron stars, or white dwarfs. A high mass can give rise to high energy processes, like for example in very massive galaxy clusters or near supermassive black holes, but also extreme situations, like collapse of very massive stars to produce a gamma ray burst, or the merger of black holes or neutron stars, which have also been observed to produce gravitational waves. This course will develop in students a deep understanding of the high-energy processes that are important in astrophysics, the key types of astrophysical situation in which they operate, and the methods by which their effects are detected from Earth. The module develops skills in research enquiry and problem solving, analysis and evaluation, communication skills, information searching, conceptualisation.
Statistics and Analysis	15 Credits	Optional
This module develops statistical concepts which are applied in modern physical and astrophysical research. The module will look into the different kinds of distributions and errors. Methods for hypothesis testing and data fitting will be investigated and applied to research data. Monte Carlo and Bootstrapping procedures will be used for error propagation. These statistical methods will be implemented in a procedural language such as Python. The module will cover the syntax and control structures such as loops and logical statements, and building complex programmes by writing and linking separate functions and procedures. In this module you will develop your skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation, and computer programming.

Key staff

Dr Charles Strickland-Constable

Find out more about Dr Charles Strickland-Constable

Dr Charles Young

Find out more about Dr Charles Young

Dr Livia Ferro

Find out more about Dr Livia Ferro

Dr Tomasz Lukowski

Find out more about Dr Tomasz Lukowski

Dr Vidas Regelskis

Find out more about Dr Vidas Regelskis

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research	Download
MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research	Download
MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

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You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students

Full time
- £13545 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
EU Students

Full time
- £18950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
International Students

Full time
- £18950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

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Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
27/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Link
27/09/2025	31/05/2026	Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Theoretical Physics with Advanced Research

Why choose Herts?

Funding available*

Careers

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Where will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025