Master of Physics (MPhys)

MPhys Physics

Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F305 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .

Course unit details:
Properties of Matter

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHYS20151
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit will primarily cover Solids and Liquids, Thermodynamics, and Kinetic Theory of Gases.

Aims

The unit aims to:
Develop the ideas of classical thermodynamics.
Explain the properties of solids, liquids and gases.

Learning outcomes

ILO 1 Explain and calculate properties of gases, liquids and solids.
ILO 2 Explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and the concept of entropy.
ILO 3 Use the formalism of thermodynamics and apply it to systems in thermal equilibrium.

Teaching and learning methods

22 hours of lectures, weekly problem sheets, online discussion forum.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 10%
Written exam 90%

Recommended reading

G.C. King, Physics of Matter (Manchester Physics Series, Wiley). 
S. Blundell and K.M. Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics (2nd edition, Oxford University Press). 
F. Mandl, Statistical Physics (2nd edition, Manchester Physics Series, Wiley

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Paul Walmsley Unit coordinator
Anna Scaife Unit coordinator

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