Physics and Astronomy MScR Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Physics and Astronomy Year of entry: 2026 Study options Full-time MScR | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates Key facts School School of Physics and Astronomy College College of Science and Engineering PhD by Distance Not available School location King's Buildings campus Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme The one-year MSc by Research in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh is a postgraduate degree that allows you to conduct in-depth research in a specific area of physics and astronomy. The programme includes:independent research project with a supervisorcomprehensive literature review, research methods, data analysis, and conclusionscore training in research skills, such as research methods, data analysis, and academic writingspecialized training sessions, workshops, or conferences related to the research areadissertation (15,000-20,000 words)The programme covers a range of research areas, including astrophysics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, soft matter physics, and theoretical physics.The programme provides you with advanced research skills, specialized knowledge, and a deep understanding of your chosen field.Regardless of the area of study, you will be assigned two supervisors to guide your research projects and identify suitable training and development pathways. You will have access to our cutting-edge facilities and expertise, and be supported by our Graduate School administration team. Applying How to apply You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply As part of your online application, you will need to provide: a personal statementrelevant knowledge/training skillsand, if applicable:your research topicdetails of any published workYou will also need to provide some or all of the following supporting information and documents:a research proposalname of supervisor (if known)research project (if applying to an advertised project)copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksreferencesevidence you meet the English language requirementscertified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MScR Physics and Astronomy (1 year) After you apply Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.Checking the status of your applicationWe will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.Receiving our decisionWhat to do if you receive an offer:Receiving an offerAccepting an offerSubmitting supporting documents Academic Technology Approval Scheme If you need to apply for a student visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme. Academic Technology Approval Scheme Funding, fees and costs Funding Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Featured fundingResearch Council studentshipsResearch scholarships for international students Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Full-time MScR Physics and Astronomy (1 year) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Costs Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in physics or a related discipline. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details Research profile The School of Physics and Astronomy is made up of three institutes. Our MSc by Research programme is applicable for study in any of these institutes.Institute for Astronomy (IfA)The IfA is one of the UK's major centres of astronomical research, with special strengths in survey astronomy, cosmology, active galaxies and the formation of stars and planets.Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems (ICMCS)ICMCS carries out research in many different areas related to soft and hard condensed matter. Research themes include:astrobiologycomputational materials physicsextreme conditions physics and the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC)physics of living matterquantum orderingsoft matter physicsstatistical physics and complexityInstitute for Particle and Nuclear Physics (IPNP)The Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics seeks to explore nature at the smallest scales. It comprises three research groups: Nuclear PhysicsParticle Physics ExperimentParticle Physics Theory Our research community The School of Physics and Astronomy has a vibrant research community, with many research groups and facilities available to students. Programme structure The programme typically lasts 12 months, with the majority of the time spent on research projects. You will work closely with a supervisor to conduct research and write a dissertation. There may be some taught courses or training sessions available, although the focus is on independent research.Our students undertake experimental research, often in small collaborations. You will be encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the experiments, including design, construction, implementation, data analysis and presentation of results.Key ComponentsResearch Project: You will undertake a significant research project, which is the core component of the degree. The project should demonstrate originality, critical thinking, and a contribution to the field.Dissertation: The research project culminates in a dissertation, which is a written report of the research findings. The dissertation is typically around 15,000-20,000 words.Supervision: You are assigned two supervisors who provide guidance, support, and feedback throughout the programme.Training and Development: You may participate in training sessions, workshops, or conferences to develop your research skills, academic writing, and presentation abilities.Specific requirements and programme details may vary depending on the supervisor or research group. It's essential to check with the relevant supervisor or the School of Physics and Astronomy for the most up-to-date information.AssessmentThe dissertation is the assessment component, accounting for your overall grade. Support The School has a Pastoral Support team consisting of our academic staff which offers support to all of our Postgraduate Research Students.The University offers several support and assistance facilities including the Student Wellbeing Service.Student Wellbeing Service Facilities Depending on your area of research, you will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, computational resources, and/or international collaborations. You’ll have access to the resources of some of the top facilities in the UK, Europe, and worldwide.Astrophysics and AstronomyThe IfA shares the historic and beautiful Royal Observatory Edinburgh site on Blackford Hill with the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC). This allows the astronomers within the University to work in close scientific collaboration with the STFC-funded scientists and instrument builders within the UK ATC.Royal Observatory EdinburghUK Astronomy Technology CentreSTFCCondensed MatterYou will have access to the resources of some of the top facilities in Europe and the UK. COSMIC is a cross-disciplinary centre for optical characterisation, control and imaging of complex materials, which offers world-class equipment and a far-reaching research network.We host the UK Centre for Astrobiology, where scientists study the responses of molecules to life in extreme environments – including the space environment. The Centre also simulates extraterrestrial environments, and maintains a subsurface biology laboratory 1.5km underground at the Boulby Mine in Yorkshire.Nuclear and Particle PhysicsWe have an in-house development programme of advanced particle and photon detection systems and state-of-the-art simulation software and analysis techniques. We also host the Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, building connections across the School and with the School of Mathematics. Careers Career opportunities The School has a strong track record of producing high-quality research and graduates who go on to successful careers in physics and astronomy.Graduates can pursue careers in academia, industry, or government, or proceed to further study, such as a PhD. Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Graduate School AdministratorSchool of Physics & AstronomyJames Clerk Maxwell BuildingPeter Guthrie Tait RoadThe King's Buildings CampusEdinburghEH9 3FD Gradschool.Physics@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5812
