Physics with Fusion and Plasma Physics
Gain the skills you need to prepare for a research career in plasma physics with a focus on fusion energy.
Deepen your knowledge of plasma physics and its application to fusion to prepare for a research career
Receive expert training in research skills including plasma simulations and experimental diagnostics
Complete a three-month, full-time research project with options to interact with international fusion laboratories
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£17,500 Home
£38,500 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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First class Honours in Physics, or a relevant Scientific or Engineering discipline
Course overview
Enhance your physics knowledge for a research career with this full-time Master's course focusing on plasma physics.
You'll gain a solid foundation to understand and work with plasma in tokamaks, stellarators, and laser-driven fusion devices, along with other applications.
The course covers theoretical, computational, and experimental aspects, allowing you to specialize through project choices.
A key component is a three-month project on plasma physics, usually tied to fusion, conducted with academic groups or external laboratories.
You'll explore advanced mathematical and computational methods, receive training in research skills, and complete a project culminating in a scientific report and presentations.
This course prepares you for doctoral research in plasma physics and fusion or positions in the growing commercial fusion sector.
MSc Physics streams
This is one of several MSc Physics streams available at Imperial. You may wish to consider choosing one of the following streams:
- Physics (generic stream)
- Physics with Extended Research
- Physics with Fusion and Plasma Physics (this stream)
- Physics with Quantum Dynamics
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Please note, starred modules may be substituted with an alternative optional module if the content has already been covered at undergraduate level.
Core modules
Study the basic topics of plasma physics in a more detailed and mathematical way. Create advanced theoretical methods to improve the quantitative analysis of plasma physics needed for research.
Explore the advanced plasma physics concepts specific to laser-driven fusion and the associated fields of shock physics and high-energy density physics.
Uncover the connections to laboratory astrophysics and high-intensity laser plasmas.
Dive into the advanced plasma physics concepts specific to tokamaks, stellarators, and other magnetic confinement devices.
This module includes particle confinement, magnetic equilibrium and stability, and plasma-surface interaction.
Discover key mathematical methods used by physicists including basic linear algebra and vector space theory.
Learn the essentials about the nature of plasma and start your journey on mastering the key models such as single-particle motion, magnetohydrodynamics and kinetic theory.
Gain practical experience with essential simulation tools in plasma physics research while improving your Python skills. Develop a clear understanding of key experimental diagnostics for plasma measurement and learn how to effectively analyse experimental data.
Develop a foundational understanding of the statistics behind large-scale data analysis in the physical sciences.
Covers key concepts underpinning the application of machine learning to the experimental sciences.
Complete a three-month, full-time project on plasma physics.
Carry out a self-study project in a topic of your choice relevant to fusion or plasma physics.
You’ll also choose one or two optional modules – from a broad set common to MSc Physics – to the value of at least 7.5 ECTS. Selected examples are outlined here.
Optional modules
Further your knowledge of supersonic compressible flows, shock physics, inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics.
Explore why QFT (Quantum Field Theory) is essential to understand nature at smallest scales. You’ll also learn how to use Feynman diagrams to describe physical processes using perturbation theory.
Acquire a mathematically rigorous understanding of laser physics and learn the basic mechanisms of laser action.
Understand the key physical concepts underlying laser and nonlinear optics and their contemporary applications.
Study how the co-operative behaviour of many simple constituents can lead to the emergence of new physics that could not have been predicted directly from the microscopic laws of motion.
Analyse the way physical properties can be manipulated at the nanoscale compared to bulk materials and how that underpins modern electronic devices.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Lectures
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Lecture recordings
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Practical work
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Problem classes
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Tutorials
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Self-study project
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Problem sets
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Self-study project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Research skills/project
- Self-study project
- Coursework and examinations
- 42% Research skills/project
- 8% Self-study project
- 50% Coursework and examinations
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Dissertation
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Examination
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Oral presentation
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Poster
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Practical
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Oral assessment
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Written report
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Applications open on Friday 27 September 2024
- Applications close on Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Applications open on Friday 17 January 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Applications open on Friday 28 March 2025
- Applications close on Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
Round 4
- Applications open on Friday 16 May 2025
- Applications close on Friday 4 July 2025
- Decision by Thursday 31 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH07-01-01
- Descriptor: Physics
- Supervisor name: Professor Michele Dougherty
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2025 entry
£17,500
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2025 entry
£38,500
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary for plasma physics or fusion doctoral research.
Position yourself to enter an international laboratory or the rapidly developing commercial fusion sector as a researcher.
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Physics graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a variety of employment sectors.
Employment opportunities exist in a wide range of fields, including space science & technology, computational fluid dynamics, ocean & climate modelling, and laser technology.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 7512
- Email: l.sanchez@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Robert Kingham
and Dr Yasmin Andrew
Visit the Department of Physics website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications