Course summary

Our Physics with Astrophysics and Cosmology integrated master’s course provides a robust foundation in fundamental aspects of physics, astrophysics and cosmology. You’ll explore topics including special and general relativity, quantum mechanics, fields and waves, the physics of planets, stars, galaxies and the universe. You’ll also be trained in key analytical and practical skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, team work and data analysis, preparing you for a wide-range of future-facing careers. You'll join a friendly and supportive department, learning from internationally renowned scientists, including those with links to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the LIGO gravitational wave observatory and the European Space Agency’s exoplanet exploration project. In your first two years, you'll sample core physics fields and develop experimental techniques through integrated lab work. Your third and fourth years involve applying your knowledge and skills to complex astrophysics or cosmology related projects, and providing you with crucial employability skills. Accreditation All our physics degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP). Graduates of accredited degrees are recognised by the IOP as meeting the academic requirements for membership and professional qualifications like Chartered Physicist (CPhys). You also have the opportunity to transfer to the Study Abroad pathway and spend an additional year at a partner institution before returning to King’s to complete your studies. This depends on you reaching a certain grade average and being accepted by a partner university. Key benefits

• Award winning: six former staff and students in the Physics department are Nobel Prize winners.

• Central location gives you easy access to major libraries and many leading societies, including the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society and the Royal Institution.

• Top 10 in the UK for Physics (QS World Rankings by subject 2025).

• Study the skies using King’s own rooftop observatory and telescope.

• Study at the historic Strand Campus where Maxwell discovered electromagnetic radiation, Franklin took photo 51 confirming DNA’s structure and Wheatstone developed the electric telegraph.

• Be part of a diverse student cohort - King’s is one of the leading Russell Group universities by proportion of female undergraduates on its Physics programmes.

• 6th in the UK for producing the most employable graduates (Times Higher Education Graduate Employability rankings 2025).