Mathematical and Theoretical Physics MSc
University of Oxford
Key Course Facts
Course Description
The course provides a high-level, internationally competitive training in mathematical and theoretical physics, right up to the level of modern research.
The course concentrates on the main areas of modern mathematical and theoretical physics: elementary-particle theory, including string theory, condensed matter theory (both quantum and soft matter), theoretical astrophysics, plasma physics and the physics of continuous media (including fluid dynamics and related areas usually associated with courses in applied mathematics in the UK system) and mathematical structures underlying physical theory. If you are a physics student with a strong interest in theoretical physics or a mathematics student keen to apply high-level mathematics to physical systems and their underpinning mathematics, both pure and applied, this is a course for you.
The course offers considerable flexibility and choice; you will be able to choose a path reflecting your intellectual tastes or career choices. This arrangement caters to you if you prefer a broad theoretical education across subject areas or if you have already firmly set your sights on one of the subject areas, although you are encouraged to explore across sub-field boundaries.
The MSc offers a substantial opportunity for independent study and research in the form of an optional dissertation which may be worth a single or double unit depending on the amount of work involved.
Pattern of learning and teaching
You will have to attend at least ten units' worth of courses, where one unit corresponds to a 16-hour lecture course or equivalent.
Depending on how many courses you take in total, and how they split between terms, you can expect to attend two, three or four (or, in exceptional cases, five) lecture courses per term. Each lecture course has roughly two one-hour lectures per week supplemented by roughly four 90 minute classes per term.
The remainder of your study time should be spent on self-study, consolidating on the material covered in lectures, working through the problem sheets set for each class and working independently on your dissertation, if you have chosen to undertake one.
Dissertation
You can opt to offer a dissertation as part of your ten units.
The dissertation is undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor and will typically involve investigating and writing in a particular area of mathematics or physics, without the requirement (while not excluding the possibility) of obtaining original results. A dissertation gives students the opportunity to develop broader transferable skills in the processes of organising, communicating, and presenting their work, and will equip students well for further research or for a wide variety of other careers.
For single unit dissertations you can roughly expect a one hour meeting with your dissertation supervisor at the end of the first term, followed by a further one hour meeting in the second term. Double unit dissertations would have roughly twice this number of meetings.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Graduate Degrees
-
- 7.0
- Undergraduate Degrees
- (no subscore less than 6.0)
Costs
Average student cost of living in the UK
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
Positions of University of Oxford in top UK and global rankings.
See all 38 university rankings of University of Oxford
About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a prestigious research university located in Oxford, England, and is the oldest English language university in the world. It is made up of 39 partly autonomous constituent colleges, six private halls, and a variety of academic departments which are split into four divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
List of 389 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Oxford - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Oxford
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Oxford by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 12425
- postgraduates:
- 9785
- Total:
- 22210
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Theoretical Physics”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
Similar courses
Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) | UCAS Tariff | City | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theoretical Physics MPhys | Queen's University of Belfast | - | - | - | £9250 | £20800 | - | Belfast | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics MPhys | The University of Sheffield | 85% | 5% | 0% | £9250 | £29110 | 162 | Sheffield | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics MPhys | University of Hull | 94% | 5% | 5% | £9250 £9250 | £18300 £19500 | 116 | Hull | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics (with a year abroad) MPhys | The University of York | - | 5% | 9% | £9250 | £28800 | 162 | York | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics with an Industrial Placement Year MPhys | The University of Sheffield | - | - | - | £9250 | £29110 | - | Sheffield | On campus Full-time | |
Physics with Theoretical Physics MPhys | Loughborough University of Technology | 71% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | £27250 | 161 | Loughborough | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics Msci (Hons) | University College London | 85% | 5% | 5% | £9250 | £35000 | 211 | London | On campus Full-time | |
Mathematics and Theoretical Physics MPhys (Hons) | University of St Andrews | - | - | - | £9250 | £30160 | - | St Andrews | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics MSc | University of Bristol | - | - | - | £9250 | £29300 | - | Bristol | On campus Full-time | |
Theoretical Physics (with a year in Industry) MPhys | The University of York | 83% | 5% | 9% | £9250 | £28800 | 162 | York | On campus Full-time |