Computational Physics MPhys

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Physics and Astronomy

Year of entry: 2027 (show 2026 entry)

Key facts

UCAS Code

F355

Award

MPhys

Duration of study

4 years, 5 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Start date

September 2027

School

School of Physics and Astronomy

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Accreditation

Available

Placement

No

Second year entry

Available

Open days and events

About the degree programme

The close relationship between physics and high-performance computing is embodied in our Computational Physics MPhys degree programme. 

Most theoretical problems are now sufficiently complex that they cannot be solved by mathematics alone. As experimentation becomes more difficult and expensive, computer simulation has become the most practical way to understand complex phenomena such as:

  • turbulence
  • nuclear reactors and weapons
  • climate change

These are the areas where computational physicists already dominate. In the future, based on current recruitment patterns, the methods of computational physics will also come to dominate other areas such as:

  • financial markets
  • genomics
  • disease control

This physics-based programme is for students interested in computing, modelling and simulation. You will study:

  • programming
  • algorithms
  • problem-solving methodologies

You will receive a thorough education in physics and the associated mathematics and develop the ability to write computer programs to simulate natural systems. 

Compared to the BSc, our MPhys Computational Physics programme provides a broader and deeper exposure to the concepts, methods and phenomena of physics. You will also gain experience of research work through an extended project. This provides a foundation for further research studies in physics.

Watch our video to hear academics from the School of Physics and Astronomy talk about the Computational Physics degree programme.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is usually studied over 5 years, however some students may be eligible to enter in Year 2 and complete the programme in 4 years.

Programme rankings

  • 20th for Physics in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

Programme benefits

  • Be taught by academic staff with links to major research facilities across the world, including CERN, TRIUMF, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and a number of principal astronomy facilities.
  • The degree includes substantial practical experience, including the opportunity to use the University's world-class computing systems.
  • Benefit from an interactive learning experience.
  • This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) and fully meets the educational requirements for Chartered Physicist.
  • Take your knowledge further by completing a major research project in Year 5.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MPhys Computational Physics

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MPhys Computational Physics.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

Textbooks for some compulsory and option courses on this programme cost between £40 and £150.

You are not required to buy all of your textbooks, as they are available in the University library.

Costs for an optional year abroad

If you study abroad in Year 3 through the University's study exchange programme, you will need to pay related costs. These include:

  • tuition fees
  • accommodation and living costs
  • country-specific expenses like travel, visas and insurance

You can use our budget calculator to help estimate your costs.

Find out more about costs for studying abroad

You can also use a tool like Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad to Edinburgh or your home town or city.

Numbeo

If you are away on exchange or placement, you may receive a reduction in your tuition fees for the year. This depends on:

  • the type of placement you are on
  • how long you are away

As an indication, you can see the reductions for students studying away in 2026-27. These are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

Study away fees for 2026-27

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend £1,023 to £2,043 each month on living costs, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

In Year 1, you will study compulsory courses in physics, mathematics and computing (informatics).

Physics

The physics course presents the pillars of physics upon which subsequent material is based. It will develop your problem-solving and study skills, and also includes an introduction to university laboratory work. 

We will introduce you to a wide range of physics topics and how these impact our understanding of the universe, including:

  • waves
  • classical mechanics
  • electricity
  • introductory quantum mechanics
  • nuclear and particle physics
Mathematics

The mathematics course includes mathematical and problem-solving skills in the context of algebra and calculus, with an increasing emphasis on physical applications.

Informatics 

Informatics courses will cover:

  • computation and logic
  • functional programming
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 2, you will study modern physics and physics of fields and matter. 

Supporting mathematics courses will cover:

  • algebra
  • calculus
  • dynamics and vector calculus

You will also be introduced to practical physics, including:

  • programming
  • data analysis
  • experimental techniques

You will also study a course in computer simulation. 

If you start this degree programme in Year 2, you will also take additional introductory courses in classical physics and mathematics. 

You can also choose one or two courses from informatics.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 3, you will study:

  • thermodynamics
  • electromagnetism
  • quantum mechanics

We also offer:

  • a supporting mathematics course covering Fourier analysis, probability and statistics
  • a computing course on numerical algorithms
  • an introductory course to research methods
Quantum computing project

You will complete a quantum computing project. 

You will work in small groups to design, implement and test a program to simulate a quantum computer.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 4, courses will cover a number of topics such as:

  • relativity
  • nuclear and particle physics
  • condensed matter physics
  • modelling and visualisation in physics

You will have the opportunity to take a selection of specialist courses from the School of Informatics.

You will also complete a senior honours project.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Research project

Your final year is largely devoted to a research project chosen from a wide range of topics. 

The research project aims to help you identify and cultivate the technical, personal and presentation skills needed to work successfully in a physics-based research and development environment.

Advanced-level courses

You will also complete advanced-level courses in physics and informatics.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 5 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught by specialists in the field through a combination of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • practicals

We take advantage of the latest teaching technology and use these methods to develop your problem-solving skills.

From Year 3, you will also complete group projects and research projects under the supervision of one of the School’s academic or research staff members.

Assessment

Assessment includes a combination of:

  • regular assignments
  • in-class assessments
  • online tests
  • end of semester examinations

Practical and computing courses have laboratory write-ups and checkpoint assessments. 

Other courses are assessed by:

  • presentations
  • peer assessing each other’s work
  • writing critical reviews of scientific literature

Exams take place in December and May.

Sample timetable for Year 1, Semester 1

This is an example of what a timetable could look like for Semester 1 in Year 1, if you were to take Astrobiology as your option course. 

This timetable is based on courses offered in 2025. We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, so some courses might change.

Monday
  • 10am to 10:50am Physics lecture
  • 11:10am to 12pm Astrobiology lecture
  • 12:10pm to 1pm Mathematics lecture
Tuesday
  • 9am to 10:50am Mathematics tutorial
  • 2:10pm to 3pm Informatics 1 – Introduction to Computation lecture or 2:10pm to 4pm Physics workshop
Wednesday
  • 9am to 10:50am Astrobiology tutorial
  • 10am to 10:50am Physics lecture
Thursday
  • 9am to 10:50am Mathematics workshop
  • 2:10pm to 3pm Informatics 1 – Introduction to Computation lecture
Friday
  • 9:30am to 10:50am Informatics 1 – Introduction to Computation tutorial
  • 3:10pm to 5pm Astrobiology lecture 

Support for your studies

You will be fully supported throughout your time in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

All students in the School of Physics and Astronomy have a named student adviser offering advice on well-being and study support issues.

You will also benefit from mentoring by a member of academic staff who will oversee your progress and advise on your academic options.

The Maths Buddies Scheme is a peer support scheme that allows new students to get help from more experienced students. It runs weekly study sessions focusing on support for maths questions and problems.

In addition, the School of Physics and Astronomy has year representatives for every year of each of our programmes. The role of the representative is to act as a link between students and staff, ensuring that students' views on academic matters are heard.

In the later years of the programme, you will be part of a relatively small and friendly group of students.

Our academic staff

Where you will study

Study location

Physics teaching is based at the University's King's Buildings campus.

The King's Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus.

Informatics teaching will take place in the University’s Central Area.

The location of your option courses will depend on what courses you choose.

Academic facilities

From Year 1, you will have access to:

  • the School of Physics and Astronomy's undergraduate laboratories
  • the University's libraries and computer facilities

From Year 2, you will also have access to the Computational Physics Laboratory.

In Year 5, you will typically complete a project in computational physics, where you will be able to access the University's world-class research equipment and facilities.

Our teaching laboratories cover all disciplines of experimental physics.

Virtual tour

Watch our drone video of the James Clerk Maxwell Building at King's Buildings where the School of Physics and Astronomy is based. 
 

Accreditation

Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP).

In addition, the programme fully meets the educational requirements for Chartered Physicist.

Career paths

Many employers recognise that physics graduates have advanced problem-solving skills and the ability to think logically and critically about complex situations. 

Graduates have opportunities in a diverse range of careers using skills gained from this degree, such as:

  • a high level of mathematical ability
  • IT proficiency
  • communication skills

Where our graduates work

Our recent graduates have gone into employment with a wide variety of organisations, including:

  • Google
  • The European Space Agency
  • BBC
  • IBM

Physicists are sought after in many sectors, including:

  • engineering
  • manufacturing
  • energy
  • finance
  • medicine
  • the space industries

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 strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

A number of our graduates go on to further study, for example:

  • PhD research
  • a masters degree in a science or engineering subject
  • a postgraduate diploma in education

Graduate profiles

Read the testimonials of our former students, and find out where their physics degree took them.

Graduate testimonials

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

Apply to one Physics degree

Apply for only one Physics degree as we are only able to consider one application to this subject area. You will have the opportunity to switch between degrees in later years provided the required courses have been passed.  

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2027 entry UCAS deadline: 13 January 2027 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 13 January 2027, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

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

What our students say

Watch our video to hear from students about studying an undergraduate degree in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If 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.

Societies

Sports clubs

The Physics and Astronomy Society is open to all students who are interested in physics and astronomy. They host a variety of events, from observing nights and observatory tours to academic talks.

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

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 adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

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Source data of all entry requirements for this programme