MPhys Physics with Industrial Placement 60 months Undergraduate Programme By Heriot-Watt University |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

60 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

25,808 GBPTuition Fee/year

Scholarship

5Scholarships

Starting Month

SepStarting Month

Programme overview

Main Subject

Physics and Astronomy

Degree

MPhys

Study Level

Undergraduate

Study Mode

On Campus

The MPhys Physics with Industrial Placement programme combines advanced physics education with a Year 4 industrial placement in photonics, quantum technology, and engineering.

Our Physics with Industrial Placement MPhys programme will equip you with a broad education in physics, supported by a range of computational and mathematical skills that are highly valued across modern industries. This five-year programme includes an industrial placement in Year 4, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting and gain hands-on experience through Heriot-Watt's established network of industrial partners in the photonics, quantum technology, or engineering sectors.

From revolutionising medical imaging and developing ultra-fast computing to powering green energy solutions and shaping the future of communication, physics is at the core of many of today’s most exciting technological advances. This programme goes beyond the classroom to show how physics drives progress in emerging sectors and transforms society. You’ll learn how to translate theoretical understanding into practical outcomes, gaining insight into how physics operates in research labs, development teams, and high-tech industries.

Your industrial placement is a key part of the programme. It allows you to work alongside professional physicists and engineers on live projects, helping you to explore potential career paths, build professional networks, and develop the kind of workplace experience and problem-solving skills that significantly boost your graduate prospects.

You’ll investigate how the universe works, from the unimaginably small to the unimaginably vast. Along the way, you’ll develop your ability to measure, model, and predict the physical world, gaining the adaptable skillset of a physicist — analytical thinking, data handling, programming, teamwork, and communication.

Topics include fields and forces, photonics and optics, and thermal physics. You’ll explore the quantum world of subatomic particles, the unique properties of laser light, and the challenging ideas of quantum mechanics and cosmology. Later, you’ll build expertise in areas such as electromagnetism, laser physics, solid-state physics, and quantum theory, engaging with current research and frontier technologies.

Our MPhys programme provides a more advanced understanding of physics and a deeper engagement with specialist areas. Your final year culminates in an individual research project, where you will demonstrate your mastery of experimental, theoretical, or computational physics — preparing you to shape the future of science and technology.

Heriot-Watt has been ranked second in Scotland for Physics based on student experience by the Guardian (2024). This means you’ll have a personal learning environment, in which you can speak directly to your academic tutors about the programme, what’s happening in the wider physics industry, get extra support when necessary, and build relationships with your teaching staff.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Physics and Astronomy

Degree

MPhys

Study Level

Undergraduate

Study Mode

On Campus

The MPhys Physics with Industrial Placement programme combines advanced physics education with a Year 4 industrial placement in photonics, quantum technology, and engineering.

Our Physics with Industrial Placement MPhys programme will equip you with a broad education in physics, supported by a range of computational and mathematical skills that are highly valued across modern industries. This five-year programme includes an industrial placement in Year 4, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a real-world setting and gain hands-on experience through Heriot-Watt's established network of industrial partners in the photonics, quantum technology, or engineering sectors.

From revolutionising medical imaging and developing ultra-fast computing to powering green energy solutions and shaping the future of communication, physics is at the core of many of today’s most exciting technological advances. This programme goes beyond the classroom to show how physics drives progress in emerging sectors and transforms society. You’ll learn how to translate theoretical understanding into practical outcomes, gaining insight into how physics operates in research labs, development teams, and high-tech industries.

Your industrial placement is a key part of the programme. It allows you to work alongside professional physicists and engineers on live projects, helping you to explore potential career paths, build professional networks, and develop the kind of workplace experience and problem-solving skills that significantly boost your graduate prospects.

You’ll investigate how the universe works, from the unimaginably small to the unimaginably vast. Along the way, you’ll develop your ability to measure, model, and predict the physical world, gaining the adaptable skillset of a physicist — analytical thinking, data handling, programming, teamwork, and communication.

Topics include fields and forces, photonics and optics, and thermal physics. You’ll explore the quantum world of subatomic particles, the unique properties of laser light, and the challenging ideas of quantum mechanics and cosmology. Later, you’ll build expertise in areas such as electromagnetism, laser physics, solid-state physics, and quantum theory, engaging with current research and frontier technologies.

Our MPhys programme provides a more advanced understanding of physics and a deeper engagement with specialist areas. Your final year culminates in an individual research project, where you will demonstrate your mastery of experimental, theoretical, or computational physics — preparing you to shape the future of science and technology.

Heriot-Watt has been ranked second in Scotland for Physics based on student experience by the Guardian (2024). This means you’ll have a personal learning environment, in which you can speak directly to your academic tutors about the programme, what’s happening in the wider physics industry, get extra support when necessary, and build relationships with your teaching staff.

Admission Requirements

79+
30+
6+
169+
59+
    • Standard entry requirements
      • Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Physics and Maths, with one at A.
      • A-Levels BBB. Must include Physics and Maths, with both achieved at B.
      • International Baccalaureate 30 points. Must include Physics and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
      • BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
      • HNC A in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
      • HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
      • Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.


      Minimum entry requirements *
      • Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Physics and Maths, both at B.
      • A-Levels BCC. Must include Physics and Maths with one at B.
      • International Baccalaureate 28 points. Must include Physics and Maths, both at Higher Level 5.
      • BTEC Extended Diploma DMM. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
      • HNC B in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.
      • HND BB in graded unit. Must be relevant science subject including sufficient Physics and Maths.

5 Years
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
9,790 GBP
International
25,808 GBP

Scholarships

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Master Bachelors Open

Value

$21800

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

International Merit Scholarship

International Merit Scholarship
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$2000

Deadline

30 Jun 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary

Heriot-Watt University Expenses Bursary
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$525

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships

Heriot-Watt Sports Scholarships
Master Bachelors Open

Value

25% tuition fee waiver

Deadline

31 Jul 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)

IMechE Scholarships (for Mechanical Engineers)
Bachelors Master Open

Value

$218000

Deadline

31 Aug 2026

Application requirements

QS Event Attendance is NOT required

Entry requirements

You must be admitted to this school to be awarded

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