Particle and Nuclear Physics MSc
Awards: MSc
Study modes: Full-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Particle and Nuclear Physics
The study of Particle and Nuclear Physics brings together advanced experimental techniques, computational techniques, and theoretical understanding.
The experiments are typically large collaborations working at international laboratories using highly sophisticated detectors. These detector technologies also find applications in medical physics and other forms of position sensing.
The computational aspects deal with large data sets and use machine learning and other advanced techniques in data science.
Theoretical nuclear and particle physics aims to interpret the experimental results in terms of mathematical models of the structure and evolution of the physical world.
Taught courses
The taught element of the programme includes two compulsory courses and a minimum of three specialist courses which will bring you to an advanced level in the required subject material. You will also have the opportunity to select courses from a range of options depending on your interests and career ambitions.
Dissertation
Following the taught component of the programme, you will undertake a three-month research project leading to a dissertation. You will be based within one of the projects of the Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics as part of an international collaboration, and may have the opportunity to visit a leading research laboratory.
Recent dissertation projects included:
- precision studies of the Higgs boson, and matter-antimatter asymmetries at LHC
- neutron signals for dark matter searches
- photon detectors and HV-CMOS pixel detector R&D
- neutrino interactions
- total-body PET imaging
- future collider R&D
- radioactive modules
- searches for exotic physics using anomaly detection
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Particle and Nuclear Physics | 1 Year | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
By engaging with and completing the MSc in Particle & Nuclear Physics, you will acquire core knowledge of current experiments in nuclear and particle physics and gain a theoretical understanding of nuclear and particle physics.
The programme aims to develop research and problem solving skills. You will gain the skills to apply advanced data analysis techniques to large data sets, critically assess research activities and design future experiments.
This programme provides an exposure to frontier activities in experimental nuclear and particle physics and develops general transferable skills related to data analysis, research and communication.
This provides a platform for employment in research, science-based industry, medical physics, education and a wide spectrum of professions that call for numeracy and data analysis skills.
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in physics or a related subject with sufficient physics content. In particular we expect that you will have completed a quantum mechanics course.
University level mathematics and basic programming skills are essential. During your degree you should have gained experience in at least one of the following: C/C++, Java, Python, R, Matlab, Haskell, ML and you should state this information on your application. If you are in doubt on this point please contact the Programme Director.
We may also consider your application if you have relevant experience; please contact us to check before you apply.
Students from China
This degree is Band C.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- 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.
- PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also 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:
We 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).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
If you are not an EU, EEA or Swiss national, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance certificate in order to study this programme.
Tuition fees
| Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | Particle and Nuclear Physics | 1 Year | Full-time | Tuition fees |
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 money
taking out a loan
family support
personal savings
income from work
employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Featured funding
UK government postgraduate loans
If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.
The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:
- your programme
- the duration of your studies
- your tuition fee status
Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.
Other funding opportunities
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- Marketing & Recruitment Coordinator, Irene Mariani
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5254
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Christos Leonidopoulos
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 6769
- Contact: Christos.Leonidopoulos@ed.ac.uk
- School of Physics and Astronomy
- University of Edinburgh
- James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FD
- Programme: Particle and Nuclear Physics
- School: Physics & Astronomy
- College: Science & Engineering
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
MSc Particle and Nuclear Physics - 1 Year (Full-time)
| Programme start date | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| 8 September 2025 | 31 August 2025 |
Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.
We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.
We will make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis, but hold the majority of applications until the next published selection deadline.
We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.
If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:
- your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know, or
- your application is still being considered and will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline. We will be in touch once a decision is made
Due to high demand for this programme, we operate on a series of selection deadlines.
We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.
We may make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis. However, the majority of applications will be held until the advertised deadline.
We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.
If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:
- your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know
- your application is still being considered, it will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline, and we’ll be in touch once a decision is made
The final deadline may be extended if any places remain on the programme.
Selection deadlines
| Round | Application deadline | Decisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 December | 1 March |
| 2 | 31 March | 31 May |
| 3 | 31 May | 31 July |
You must submit one reference with your application.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- Marketing & Recruitment Coordinator, Irene Mariani
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5254
- Contact: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
- Programme Director, Christos Leonidopoulos
- Phone: +44 (0)131 650 6769
- Contact: Christos.Leonidopoulos@ed.ac.uk
- School of Physics and Astronomy
- University of Edinburgh
- James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road
- The King's Buildings Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH9 3FD
- Programme: Particle and Nuclear Physics
- School: Physics & Astronomy
- College: Science & Engineering