Mathematics and Physics MPhys - 2027/8
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MPhys Mathematics and Physics
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Mathematics and Physics |
| Ord | Mathematics and Physics |
| DipHE | Mathematics and Physics |
| CertHE | Mathematics and Physics |
Professional recognition
Institute of Physics (IOP)
Recognised by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of eligibility for Associate Membership.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | UCK21007 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | UCK21010 | 600 credits and 300 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Mathematics, statistics and operati (Intg Masters), Physics, astronomy and astrophysics
Other internal and / or external reference points
NA
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences - Mathematics & Physics
Programme Leader
DIAZ TORRES Alexis (Maths & Phys)
Date of production/revision of spec
01/05/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- Allow students flexibility in studying specialist subjects in areas of physics and mathematics or in other areas of interest that are related to likely professional pathways for physics graduates
- Develop students' base of knowledge, understanding and practical/computing skills, plus their mathematical, conceptual, communication and problem-solving skills, so as to prepare them for employment or further study with the expertise expected of a physicist or mathematician
- Develop students' base of knowledge, understanding and practical/computing skills, plus their mathematical, conceptual, communication and problem-solving skills, so as to prepare them for employment or further study with the expertise expected of a physicist or mathematician up to FHEQ Level 7
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| A thorough understanding of core mathematical and physical principles | K | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Well-developed problem-solving and analytical skills | K | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| An ability to use computers, both for scientific computation and general use | K | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Acquisition of specialist knowledge and understanding, particularly towards | K | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Analyse and solve mathematical and physical problems proficiently | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Identify relevant physical principles in unseen problems | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Appreciate ways in which mathematical thinking can be applied to problems in the real world | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Make mathematical formulations of physical problems; make computational formulations of mathematical problems | C | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Use existing knowledge to assimilate more advanced physical and | C | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Use computers and IT for data analysis, presentation, scientific and mathematical computing and general purpose applications | P | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Plan and undertake an individual project and access relevant literature | P | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Effectively present numerical and graphical data | P | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Clearly and accurately communicate results, including report writing | P | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Formulate problems into soluble form | T | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Solve problems with well-defined solutions | T | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Solve open-ended problems | T | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Undertake independent investigations | T | BSc (Hons) | |
| Read demanding texts | T | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Communicate complex information in a clear and concise fashion | T | Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Manipulate precise and intricate ideas | T | DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Construct logical arguments | T | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Pick up and use new IT packages | T | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) | |
| Pick up and use new computer languages | T | CertHE, DipHE, Ord, BSc (Hons) |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and 7). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Integrated Master's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over five academic years, consisting of 600 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6, 7 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Honours) (360 credits)
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT1030 | CALCULUS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| MAT1031 | ALGEBRA | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| MAT1034 | LINEAR ALGEBRA | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| PHY1033 | FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| PHY1036 | OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| PHY1039 | PROPERTIES OF MATTER | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| PHY1040 | ATOMS AND QUANTA | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| MAT1042 | MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 1 optional module
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose 60 credits of options in each Semester.
Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 4 - FHEQ Level 7
Students on the MPhys pathway must take the PHYM060 MPhys MaP Project module.
Choose 5 options overall, to maintain a 60:60 credit balance between Semesters 1 and 2.
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT1030 | CALCULUS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| MAT1031 | ALGEBRA | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| MAT1034 | LINEAR ALGEBRA | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| PHY1033 | FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICS | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| PHY1036 | OSCILLATIONS AND WAVES | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| PHY1039 | PROPERTIES OF MATTER | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| PHY1040 | ATOMS AND QUANTA | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| MAT1042 | MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
NA
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Choose 1 optional module
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students must choose 60 credits of options in each Semester.
Professional Training Year (PTY) -
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHYP006 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| PHYP007 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR STUDY) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| PHYP008 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (WORK-STUDY 50/50) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) -
NA
Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
Module Selection for Year 4 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 7
Students on the MPhys pathway must take the PHYM060 MPhys MaP Project module.
Choose 5 options overall, to maintain a 60:60 credit balance between Semesters 1 and 2.
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | Y | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
Note that for MaP MMath/MPhys students the PTY may be taken either between FHEQ Levels 5 + 6, or between FHEQ Levels 6 + 7.
This programme is aligned to the University of Surrey's Five Pillars of Curriculum Design, namely: Global and Cultural Capabilities; Employability; Digital Capabilities; Resourcefulness and Resilience, and Sustainability.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: Students engage with mathematical, physical, and technological advancements which are useful for addressing access to clean energy, healthcare, communication, and transportation. Students take part in scientific outreach in both core and optional modules, enabling our graduates to promote mathematical and scientific literacy. This programme includes Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity workshops.
Employability: Students develop scientific and mathematical expertise, problem-solving abilities, presentational skills, and other transferable skills sought by employers. These skills are highly valued in finance, engineering, data science, and technology. Students learn to apply concepts using Python. The capacity to analyse and resolve complex problems through physical and mathematical reasoning is highly valued by employers.
Digital Capabilities: By integrating digital tools, programming skills, and data analysis techniques into the curriculum, our programmes equip students to employ physical and mathematical knowledge in a digital context, fostering the digital acumen essential for success in today's technology-driven world.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: Students address challenging problems, tackled both individually and in groups, encourages students to develop resourcefulness and resilience by exploring innovative approaches and thinking critically.
Sustainability: Mathematics and physics can address challenges related to energy, climate change, resource management and environmental conservation. By employing mathematical and computational modelling, data analysis, and optimization techniques, students learn to assess environmental and economic systems for informed decisions promoting sustainability.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.