This section will address how to select which program you should attend.
MOTIVATIONS FOR DEGREE
A postgraduate degree in Physics will equip you with the following:
- You will learn how to conduct research in a comprehensive manner
- You will gain important lab-based and technical skills
- You will learn some transferable skills like time management, self-management and communication skills
- And you will gain a deeper understanding of the area of Physics you choose to concentrate on.
Career Pathways
Graduates of Physics have a variety of career pathways open to them in the UK. Some of the sectors they frequently enter after finishing this degree are: research/academia and teaching, engineering, consultancy, aerospace and defence, energy etc. Please note: this information has been taken from UK-based sources. Opportunities in Pakistan may vary. If you hope to work in Pakistan after completing your degree, it is recommended that you discuss the available career options with your professors, or try to connect with Pakistani students/alumni of your prospective course.
TYPES OF DEGREE
The following postgraduate degrees are available for Physics in the UK:
- Master’s Degrees
- MSc (Master of Science)
- MRes (Master of Research)
- MPhil (Master of Philosophy)
- PhD/DPhil (Doctor of Philosophy)
Master’s degrees may also be divided into Taught and Research degrees.
PROGRAM SELECTION
How to select the best option for yourself (among degrees/programs within this field)
Master’s Degrees
A Master’s degree in Physics, on the other hand, is much shorter. It will usually take you 1-2 years of full-time study and will allow you to specialize in an area of your interest. After completing this degree, you can go into a range of professions (including teaching at the high school level, and possibly at the undergraduate level in some universities). Physics Master’s degrees are typically quite intensive because students are enrolled in the program for such a short time. But a degree like this will definitely: help you broaden your existing knowledge, or help you study a new area of Physics, or give you important training for a particular job/career pathway. Do note: a Master’s degree can be expensive and it is difficult to receive sufficient funding -- so before applying, you should be sure that you can make the required investment. To find out more about the differences between an MSc and an MPhil, please go through this link.
Master’s degrees are typically divided into Taught and Research degrees. For more information, please read the section below.
Taught vs. Research
A Taught Master’s course will typically be 1-2 years in length (3 years if you do part-time study). In it, you will typically attend lectures, perform practicals, complete coursework, give exams, and produce a dissertation of 10,000-20,000 words on a research topic of your interest. You will usually graduate with an MSc (Master of Science) at the end of your study.
A Research Master’s course will also be 1-2 years in length (2-4 years if you do part-time study). But in this degree type, you will spend most of your time working on single or multiple independent research projects. There might be some lectures, but you will mostly spend your time doing independent research and will be required to prepare and submit a thesis at the end of your course. Once you finish the course, you will gain an MRes (Master of Research).
Useful Resources
- The Master’s Route: this resource will give you some more information on whether or not a Master’s degree in Physics is suitable for you
The undergraduate Master’s degree:
Most universities in the UK give their undergraduate students the option of graduating with a Master’s degree (i.e. MPhy or MSci). An undergraduate Master’s degree will improve your chances of employability and can help you gain entry into some PhD courses as well.
So if you already have an undergraduate Master’s degree, you will most likely not need a postgraduate Master’s degree - unless you want to specialize in a different area of Physics. Otherwise, you can go straight into work or apply for a PhD directly.
Doctorate Degrees
A doctoral degree is awarded when a candidate has successfully completed a piece of original research. doctorate degree will typically require 3-4 years of full-time study (sometimes more). You will be required to do independent research, and write/publish a thesis. If you want to become a Research Physicist or a Professor, you should consider doing a doctorate degree. Funding this degree is less challenging than funding a Master’s degree, because most universities will give you a grant or some funding to help you pay for your study/research. You will, however, need to invest a number of years to complete this degree -- so make sure that is something you are sure you can do, before choosing to apply.
FIELD/SUB-FIELD SELECTION
How to select the best option for yourself (among specializations and sub-fields within this field)
You can choose to specialize in the following areas: Applied Physics, Atmospheric Physics, Atomic Physics, Cosmology, Electricity and Magnetism, Engineering Physics, Mechanic Physics, Medical Physics, Molecular Physics, Nuclear Science, Nanoscience, Optics, Particle Physics, Physics of Matter, Quantum Physics, Radiation Physics, and Theoretical Physics.
Note: this is a general list. All universities may not offer courses in each of these areas, but will definitely offer courses in some. It is highly recommended that you visit your prospective university website to find out which courses are available. Websites will typically list the modules that each area focuses on. In addition to that, you can go through this Institute Of Physics resource which lists Master’s degrees available in the UK (note: this resource was developed in 2007, so you are advised to use it only as a general guideline and visit university websites for more recent data).
Choosing a Master’s course
For Master’s programs, you should look at your future goals/career objectives. You should select your course on the basis of the following: the sort of learning you want to gain from your postgraduate degree, the career objectives you hope to meet after completing thie degree, and the career prospects the sub-field has in the UK/in Pakistan, etc.
Choosing a Ph.D. course
“During the course of a postgraduate degree, you are expected to become an expert in the area in which you specialize. In particular, you should reach the point where you know more about that specific topic than your supervisor does. You will, therefore, have to work quite a lot on your own, which means you need determination, stamina, and enthusiasm. In my view, the most important criterion in your choice of Ph.D. is not the institution where you might study but the project. You need to be genuinely excited by the topic in order to drive yourself to keep through the frustrations (of which there will be many). So, find an area that interests you and find the departments that do active research in that area by looking on the web. Check out the recent publications by staff in each department, to ensure that they are active and to have something to talk about at interview!” (Source: Telescoper).
ALLIED FIELDS
If you are interested in Physics, you might also like:
- Postgraduate Mathematics
- Postgraduate Chemistry
- Postgraduate Biology
ACTION-STEPS/RESOURCES
- How to apply: Unlike the undergraduate admissions procedure, there is no central admissions system for postgraduate courses, although UKPASS may allow you to apply to courses at some universities. For the rest of the courses, you will apply to individual universities (using their university/course-specific application form).
- No. of universities to apply to: you should apply to around 6 courses that are aligned with your research interests. If you apply to less than that, you may lose out to the competition.
- When to apply: Some undergraduate students choose to apply in their final year; others choose to apply later. You should decide based on: a) what your short-term goals are, b) your area(s) of interest and the universities that are offering those, and c) if you can fund your study (Master’s).
Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on program selection (under the tab of ‘selection’).
A lot of our tips talk about how you can strengthen your application, but you can build a stronger application when you’ve done the things this program values in the years prior to the application. The application itself is the communication part (in which you communicate what you've done to the admission committee); but this section gives guidance on the substance part (what you can actually do before you apply). In this section we talk about what you can do in the years leading up to applying that can make you an ideal candidate. Supplement the following tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘Pre-Application’) to become a competitive applicant.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Degree Requirement:
Students interested in applying for postgraduate Physics in the UK should ideally have a first degree (i.e. undergraduate degree) in Physics or a closely-related area (Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology) or a relevant postgraduate degree. Some universities will, however, require degrees in specific subject areas (like a BSc in Physics). So it is recommended that you visit your prospective course website, find out what its specific requirements are and then apply.
CourseWork and Transcripts:
Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on transcripts (under the tab of ‘transcripts’).
GPA Requirement:
Most high-ranked Physics courses will expect you to have at least the equivalent of an Upper Second Class (2:1) undergraduate degree from your educational institute. This means that your overall grade should roughly be at least at a B or B+ Grade (60-70%) or a CGPA of approximately 3.3 -- but please check your prospective university website for exact equivalence. The most competitive universities will typically require a higher overall GPA or percentage (a first-class honors equivalent, or 70% and above), and the less competitive universities will accept applicants will lower grades.
You can find specific requirements listed on your prospective course website. Make sure to go through the Country Index option (if listed) to find out what the minimum requirement is for students coming from Pakistan.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research experience is almost always a requirement for postgraduate study. Even if the university does not formally state that it is required, it is always safer to have some experience under your belt - especially if you are applying for a PhD or a research-based Master’s degree. You can consider doing a final project in an area of your interest during your undergraduate study, or you could do a RAship (research assistantship) with a faculty member whose areas of research are aligned with yours.
Do visit your prospective university website to find out more about the recommended research experiences.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Some universities may recommend professional experience, others may not formally state it - but if you can manage to get some professional experience, it can benefit your application. Working as a Teaching Assistant or Lab Assistant during your undergraduate degree could definitely give you important skills that admissions tutors may value. “If you get the chance, make use of your summer vacations by taking on an internship or other opportunities to get a taste of research” (Telescoper). Things like this will add value to your resume.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Although this is usually not required by universities, participating in relevant extracurricular activities during your undergraduate years might help you gain important transferable skills that can come in handy during your postgraduate study. You can participate in extracurricular/super-curricular activities in your university - especially if they help you gain transferable skills (like communication skills or perseverance or time management skills) which can be useful in graduate school.
This section provides an overview of general guidelines pertaining to the application process. It also delineates the key components of the application process.
GENERAL ADVICE
Your application will typically be reviewed holistically - with your personal statement being key, as it will demonstrate your academic ability and areas of interest, alongside your reason for applying. If you are applying for a PhD, you may be required to submit a research proposal, which will also be a very important component.
Refer to the Program Selection Section for further information.
COMPONENTS
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Component
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Is this component required?
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How important is this component (in the overall review of the application for admission)?
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Standardized tests or entry exams
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Required
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Important
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Transcripts (past academic records)
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Required
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Important
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Letters of recommendation
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Required
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Important
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Personal Statement
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Required
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Very important
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Resume or CV
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May be required
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Important when required
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Interviews
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May be required
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Very important when required
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Research Proposal
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May be required
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Very important when required
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Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on overview (under the tab of ‘overview’).
Pakistani applicants suffer most because of inadequate information -- or wrong information -- about essays and personal statements. This section will address those inadequacies specifically in relation to applying for this program. Supplement the following field-specific tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘essay’) to craft a stellar personal statement.
BASIC INFORMATION
You will be required to submit a personal statement to each university you apply to, along with your application. The length of the statement and other guidelines (like what to include etc.) will usually vary by university. These will typically be specified on the course page or the online application. Make sure you go through these carefully to find out what you need to talk about in your statement.
TIPS ON GOOD AND BAD STATEMENTS
What is essential in the statement:
- Since each university will require a different personal statement, it is very important that you curate it according to the program. Follow the guidelines stated by the university you are submitting the statement to. Try to talk about specific modules or research opportunities that the university offers that you are most interested in. You could even consider mentioning faculty members whose research you have found particularly fascinating (if the university recommends that).
What are some elements of exceptional statements:
- Show the admissions committee that you have done your research, and have investigated the area of your interest in depth. Talk about any independent study, research projects, group projects etc. that you have conducted that tie in with your prospective course. Avoid just listing what you did. You need to reflect on this work: what did you learn from it? How are you hoping to take this learning further?
- In some MRes courses, you may have to choose some research themes that you would want to pursue and talk about why you are interested in pursuing those.
OTHER TIPS
How can applicants manage the process of writing?
You can request your professors (and even recommenders) to read your letter and provide feedback.
This section will cover the basics about recommendation letters, which are one of the most important parts of the application process. Supplement the following field-specific tips with general tips (under the tab of ‘recommendations’) to ensure you have strong letters of recommendation.
BASIC INFORMATION
You will typically be asked to submit 1-3 reference letters alongside your application. These can come from your professors, i.e. people who have seen you working in an academic setting, or from an employer, i.e. someone who has seen you working in a professional setting.
Universities will usually specify which kind of reference they prefer - professional or academic. If it is not specified, you should generally follow this: for PhDs and research-based Master’s, try to get letters of reference from a Physics professor or an academic supervisor. If you have done a research project/research assistantship during your undergraduate study, a good option would be to contact the professor you did the project or assistantship with. For a taught-based Master’s degree, it may be acceptable to have an employer write you a reference letter.
For more information on how you should select your recommenders and what information your letter of recommendation should contain, please visit your prospective university/program website.
This section will cover everything else related to the application process; including transcripts, interviews, resumes, and standardized tests.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Basic Information:
You may be required to submit a research statement or proposal if you are applying for a postgraduate research course (a PhD or a research-based Master’s). In some universities, it may be optional. If you choose to submit it, it will usually be a crucial part of your application.
In the proposal, you will generally have to identify your areas of interest and why you wish to explore them further. Although specific requirements will vary by university, you will usually have to address some of the following questions in your proposal:
- What is your research question?
- Why is it important or relevant? How does it contribute something new to existing research? Can there be any kind of collaboration?
- How do you plan to conduct your research? You may need to highlight your proposed methodology and a timeline in which you intend to complete your research.
- What kind of resources will you need? This could be faculty advice/supervision, training, other materials, lab equipment etc.
- What is your expected outcome, and what is the potential benefit of your research?
Some universities may also ask you to mention the faculty member(s) you would like to work with. And some may even recommend getting in touch with the faculty member you are interested in working with, before you submit your application. So if your prospective university suggests this, make sure you do it - as this can help you learn more about specific faculty members’ research and the projects they are currently working on.
Keep in mind this is a general guideline, and instructions may vary by university. Therefore, it is highly advised that you visit your prospective university website for more information.
INTERVIEWS
Basic Information:
You may or may not have an interview (depending on the university/course you apply to). Visit your prospective course website to find out: a) if interviews are conducted, b) if they conducted for all applicants or shortlisted applicants, and c) what sort of questions are typically asked in an interview.
Interview Tips:
For PhD applicants
- You can expect the interviewer to ask some questions about your undergraduate degree and the material you studied, but they will be more interested in your final research project (or other relevant research you may have done during your undergraduate degree). The main reason why admissions committees are interested in project work is because this will help them see if you have an aptitude for research. So if you get a PhD interview, you should prepare a short verbal summary (approximately 10 minutes long) of your project work/research experience.
- The admissions committee will also expect you to be fairly well-acquainted with your proposed research topic. So make sure you read up on it. “You will not come across very well if you don’t know what the main issues are. What is the observational evidence? What kind of theories are there? What are the open questions?”. It may also be beneficial if you read a couple of recent papers published by your prospective supervisor (Telescoper).
For Master’s applicants
- You can expect the interviewer to ask questions pertaining to your research proposal (if you are required to submit one) or your statement of purpose - so make sure you are well-prepared to answer those.
RESUME/CV
Basic Information:
You may or may not need to submit a resume, based on your prospective university’s requirements. For PhD programs, a CV/resume will usually be an important part of your application so you should try to give it the necessary attention. You should get other people (like your Physics professors, other tutors etc.) to review it and help you review it. You should also make sure your CV is emphasizing the right skills (like computing). If you have managed to do any relevant internships or research, you should highlight those as well, as they will definitely give your application an edge.
Resume/CV Tips:
Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on building a resume (under the tab of ‘Resume/CV’).
STANDARDIZED TESTS
Basic Information:
As an international applicant, you will be required to take English language proficiency tests. Most universities will allow you to choose between the TOEFL and IELTS (or other proficiency tests)Websites will also state the minimum score you require (in individual reading, writing, speaking and listening components; and overall) to be considered for admission. It is advised that you take the test well before your application deadline, to ensure that your score is sent to your prospective university at the required time. For more information about your course, you should visit the course-specific website.
Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on preparing for standardized tests (under the tab of ‘tests’).
FINAL COMMENTS ON APPLICATIONS
- For PhD applicants: “Contact academic staff at other universities by email and ask them about research, PhD opportunities. That will make a good impression. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Although we’re all keen to recruit good PhD students for our own departments, we academics are conscious that it is also our job to give impartial advice” (Telescoper).
- Complement the above field-specific tips with general tips on final comments on applications (under the tab of ‘overview’)
