What physics and astronomy degree programmes are offered at The University of Manchester?

Updated

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Manchester lists undergraduate, taught master's, and postgraduate research programmes, and its course and programme finder lets you filter by study level. Use the finder if you already know whether you want a bachelor's, an integrated master's, a taught MSc, or a research degree; the lists below summarise what appears on the department's study pages.

Undergraduate programmes

The department lists these undergraduate courses (with separate 2026 and 2027 entry lists):

  • Mathematics and Physics BSc
  • Mathematics and Physics MMath&Phys
  • Physics BSc
  • Physics MPhys
  • Physics with an Integrated Foundation Year BSc/MPhys
  • Physics with Astrophysics BSc
  • Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
  • Physics with Study in Europe MPhys
  • Physics with Theoretical Physics BSc
  • Physics with Theoretical Physics MPhys

The BSc and MPhys variants matter if you are choosing between a three-year degree and an integrated master's; the "with Astrophysics", "with Theoretical Physics", and "with Study in Europe" titles indicate a specialist or year-abroad route rather than a different subject.

Taught master's programmes

The taught master's list on the department's pages includes:

  • Nuclear Science and Technology MSc
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics MSc

These are the two named taught MSc courses in the source material. If you want a taught postgraduate course in another area of physics, the finder is the place to confirm whether one is offered.

Postgraduate research programmes

Research degrees are listed as MSc by Research and PhD/MPhil across these areas:

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Biological Physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Fluids and Soft Matter Physics
  • Nuclear Physics
  • Particle Accelerator Physics
  • Particle Physics
  • Photon Physics
  • Physics
  • Soft Matter and Liquid Crystals Physics
  • Theoretical Physics

Note that Nuclear Physics appears as MSc by Research and PhD/MPhil, while Particle Accelerator Physics is listed as MSc by Research and PhD (not PhD/MPhil) in the source. Check the individual programme page before applying if the exact award title matters to you.

How to search by study level

The course and programme finder on the department site is organised by study level:

  1. Choose your study level: Undergraduate (2027 entry), Undergraduate (2026 entry), Taught master's, or Postgraduate research.
  2. Select a course from the drop-down list for that level.
  3. Use the A–Z lists (undergraduate 2027 entry, undergraduate 2026 entry, taught master's, postgraduate research) if you prefer browsing everything at once.

The expected result is a course page for the programme you selected, which is where entry requirements and application details would sit. If a course does not appear under your chosen level, it is not offered at that level in the current listing.

If you are an international student

The department provides a dedicated international students section covering information for studying physics at Manchester as an international applicant. Start there alongside the course finder, since entry requirements and application routes can differ from the standard UK listings.

Practical next steps

  • Attend an open day if you want to see the department before applying; the study pages point to open days as the way to learn more.
  • Use the 2026 versus 2027 undergraduate lists deliberately: they are separate entries, so pick the year you would actually start.
  • For research degrees, compare the MSc by Research and PhD/MPhil options in your subject area before contacting the department.