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MSc Theoretical Physics (and similar) in KCL, Nottingham, Durham, Queen Mary

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here might have an opinion of any of the following taught MSc courses?



I shall be graduating with a Physics BSc, so specifically I’m wondering if there is any additional benefit in following any these MSc courses?



If I can try to pre-empt any questions. I am interested in these subjects which is why I’m looking at these five courses. However, although I’m interested in these subjects, I wonder to what extent are they useful ‘out in the real world’. Given the expense and time involved in completing such a course, I am attempting to ascertain to what extent would employers consider it beneficial for a potential employee to have completed one of these MSc courses in addition to a Physics BSc?



Would an employer in the financial sector perhaps (or data analytics) be especially interested in someone who had completed one of these courses? Obviously there aren’t a lot of openings working in sectors specifically related to these courses upon graduation, unless one goes into academia, which I don’t have any particular desire to do. Therefore, I’m wondering how useful is completion of one of these courses if looking for employment afterwards?



Would you suggest that any particular course is especially good to complete, or alternatively not so good?



Or if you have any other comments about any of these courses it would be interesting to hear. Thanks.



King’s College London

MSc Theoretical Physics

kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/graduate/applying/name/theoretical-physics/alpha/STU/header_search//keyword/string-theory





University of Nottingham

MSc Gravity, Particles and Fields

nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/courses/mathematical-sciences/gravity,-particles-and-fields-msc.aspx





Durham University

MSc Particles, Strings & Cosmology

dur.ac.uk/courses/2014/info/?id=5655&title=Particles%2C+Strings+and+Cosmology&ucas-code=F3K209&degree=MSc&year=2014#feesfunding





Queen Mary – University of London

MSc Theoretical Physics

qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/coursefinder/courses/121394.html



MSc Particle Physics

qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/coursefinder/courses/121394.html

Comments

  • Financial sector will be interested in someone who has done a "numbers" degree and so physics falls under that banner. Depending on the area of finance you are interested in then modelling for things like capital holding, catastrophic event losses etc are all wanting people with advance numerical degrees.

    As none are going to be looking at asking you to do particle physics etc then it really comes down to the quality of the university in the first instance and being able to show you've done modelling as a second. Personally, I'd list KCL first, then Durham, Queen Mary and Nottingham.

    Of cause if you want to actually get into physics as a career then the contents of the course and the university's ranking in that particular subject becomes more relevant - eg Abertay Uni in Dundee has a terrible reputation with the exception of its Computer Gaming degree (in making them, not playing them) in which it is very highly respected in the industry
  • Financial sector will be interested in someone who has done a "numbers" degree and so physics falls under that banner. Depending on the area of finance you are interested in then modelling for things like capital holding, catastrophic event losses etc are all wanting people with advance numerical degrees.

    As none are going to be looking at asking you to do particle physics etc then it really comes down to the quality of the university in the first instance and being able to show you've done modelling as a second. Personally, I'd list KCL first, then Durham, Queen Mary and Nottingham.

    Thanks very much InsideInsurance.

    Many potential employers may be aware of the mathematics level required to complete an Theoretical Physics MSc, though I wonder how many would also know about the level of mathematics involved in MSc Gravity, Particles and Fields, MSc Particles, Strings & Cosmology, or MSc Particle Physics courses? i.e. that the maths would be the same. Are these degree titles as "good" as theoretical physics in catching the attention of employers?
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