Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces
Gain the skills you need to undertake future PhD study in fundamental theoretical physics.
Gain the skills you need to undertake future PhD study in fundamental theoretical physics
Benefit from world leading research in some of the most exciting areas of theoretical physics study.
Flexible learning options allow you to study full-time or part-time
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year, 2 years
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
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Fees
£16,000 Home
£37,000 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 mathematics with theoretical physics options
Course overview
Gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a PhD in fundamental theoretical physics. This course bridges the gap between undergraduate physics and maths, and the research frontier.
During your studies, you'll acquire a unique insight into topics including the unification of fundamental forces, the early universe, quantum gravity and quantum field theory.
This course is designed to start your research career and was founded by the Theoretical Physics Group at Imperial College London. This group is internationally renowned for its world leading research and established by Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam.
Your studies will conclude with a summer working on a supervised project in a specialist area. This can involve original research that expands on your existing knowledge of theoretical physics and leads to the writing of a dissertation.
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 study four core modules.
If you studied Quantum Field Theory and Unification modules as an undergraduate, you will need to replace these modules with alternative options.
Core modules
Discover the properties required for the Lagrangian of a field theory and understand how the form of the Standard Model Lagrangian follows from symmetries.
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.
Develop a deeper understanding of quantum electrodynamics and broaden your knowledge of quantum mechanics, Feynman diagrams and renormalization.
Learn about the role of symmetry in physics, examine group theory and representation theory, and understand the importance of Lie groups and Lie algebras.
You’ll also choose four optional modules.
Optional modules
Deepen your appreciation of quantum field theory, examining path integrals, renormalisation and Non-Abelian gauge field theory.
Unpick the theory of classical black holes in General Relativity and discover why they will continue to play a central role in our future understanding of the quantum nature of spacetime.
Learn about the fundamentals of relativity and cosmology, including FRW, thermal physics, radiation era physics and inflation.
Explore examples from mechanics, quantum theory, electromagnetism, general relativity and gauge theory and learn about their application in physics.
Develop your understanding of the Standard Model, consider anomalies and their consequences, and explore grand unification and its difficulties.
Understand the fundamentals of string theory and enhance your knowledge of branes and brane spectroscopy.
Deepen your appreciation of supersymmetry, learn about superspace and superfields transformations and acquaint yourself with the supersymmetric Standard Model.
Acquire the mathematical techniques and conceptual background necessary to understand the foundations of quantum mechanics.
Familiarise yourself with key concepts on this introduction to some of the more advanced topics in the theory of groups.
Consider key concepts of general relativity including the new world view of 4 dimensional Lorentzian spacetime and how the universe can be modelled by the Friedman metric.
Advance your knowledge of the mathematical foundations of QI, uncover the essentials of entanglement theory, and learn about different aspects of quantum communication.
Build your expertise in Quantum Theory of Matter, exploring topics including the integer quantum Hall effect, the Berry phase and topology in condensed matter physics.
You will spend the summer working on a supervised project in a specialist area. This can involve original research and leads to the writing of a dissertation.
During your project, you’ll design and undertake a theoretical analysis and prepare assessed technical reports and presentations.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Lectures, problem classes and seminars
- Independent study
- 20% Lectures, problem classes and seminars
- 80% Independent study
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Independent research project
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Lectures
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Problem classes
Assessment methods
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Reports
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Written examinations
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
Full-time
£16,000
Part-time
£8,000per year
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
Full-time
£37,000
Part-time
£18,500per year
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?
Obtain a solid grounding in fundamental theoretical physics for further PhD study.
Physics graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a variety of employment sectors.
Common career paths for Physics graduates include professional roles in the technology industry, research and development, and academic research.
Other potential career paths include space agencies and healthcare/medical physics.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 7512
- Email: l.sanchez@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Professor Kellogg Stelle
Visit the Department of Physics website.
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Request info
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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