Master of Physics (Hons) in Theoretical Physics (Plus Optional Placement Year)

at University of York United Kingdom

Understand the forces at work where power and money intersect with ideals. Grapple with the problems that shape society, explore the theory behind policy and question the morality of competing systems of government. By what right do our rulers govern? What conditions create poverty and how does wealth interact with political unrest?

Our flexible course lets you tailor your degree to your strengths. You'll learn with a diverse and international student body. Our active Club of Politics, Economics and Philosophy (PEP) encourages debate beyond the classroom, and with opportunities to study abroad you can develop a truly global perspective.

Study the cultural meanings and associations of the various styles, genres and mediums in which English literature is produced. Explore a range of different critical and theoretical perspectives on advanced literary study on this flexible Masters programme.

Choose the modules that interest you the most, and develop an understanding of how English literature engages with a range of political, social and aesthetic issues.

Taught and supervised by world-leading scholars, the course will develop your research skills, which you'll apply to a substantial piece of independent research. This will provide you with a foundation for doctoral research, as well as transferable skills for related careers in teaching, publishing, arts management and journalism.

Chemistry is often referred to as the 'central science'. It covers topics as diverse as quantum mechanics and the study of atomic particles, to the molecular nature of biological systems and the Human Genome Project.

This degree will give you a strong grounding in fundamental chemistry. You'll also develop specialist knowledge of green chemistry, which is increasingly important in industry as regulations tighten and chemical resources become harder to find.

Course highlights

• Raw materials and life cycle assessment
• Benefits of green chemistry to human health
• Catalytic methods in asymmetric synthesis
• Technological challenges in process development
• Structure, function and action of biocatalysts
• Biofuels and fuel cells

Combine the study of French and Italian with investigations into the nature of language itself. Spend a year abroad studying, working or teaching in Italian and French-speaking countries, consolidating your language skills.

You'll be taught in French and Italian, so you'll become confident using your languages as a means of communication, and for critical thinking. You'll gain an understanding of French and Italian culture and societies which will underpin your abilities as a high-level communicator in both languages.

Your communication skills will be complemented by investigations into the science and structure of language through a range of linguistics modules. The course has flexibility in terms of how much French, Italian and linguistics content you study over the four years. By the end of your studies, you will be equipped for a range of professional roles that call for expertise in language, linguistics and culture.

Accounting is the language of business. It gives managers, investors and governments the information they need to make financially-sound decisions.

In the increasingly complex modern business environment, there is a high demand for skilled professionals who can work flexibly in teams across business boundaries. You’ll need strategic focus and the ability to influence decision making and apply judgement responsibly.

This course places accounting and finance skills in a broader business context. You’ll gain the technical skills and problem solving abilities you might expect from an accounting and finance programme, but will have also have the opportunity to develop strong communication skills, a broad commercial awareness and a critical approach to business problems.

Accredited by a number of professional bodies, this academically challenging and vocationally relevant degree is an ideal stepping stone into careers in accountancy and management.

Combine the study of French with investigations into major philosophical questions.

You'll be taught the language component of the course in French, and will become confident using French as a means of communication, as well as for critical thinking. You'll gain an understanding of French culture and society which will underpin your abilities as a high-level communicator in the language.

By combining the study of the French language with philosophy, you'll gain an unparalleled insight into the work of thinkers such as Descartes and Sartre. You'll study the philosophical relationships between our language, our world and our minds and develop your skills in writing, reasoning and analysis.

The course has flexibility in terms of how much French and philosophy content you study over the four years. Your skills and understanding of how a language works, how we communicate and how we reason will give you a solid foundation for a huge variety of careers.

Study widely and deeply in poetry and ideas from the classical period to the present day. Engage with a cross-cultural approach, and place issues of translation and cultural exchange at the heart of the study of poetry from classical to post-colonial poetics.

You'll be able to focus on the poem and the poet with an emphasis on theory and form, and be able to construct a distinct, individually chosen programme of study from a wide range of options. This will include the opportunity to take a workshop in poetry writing with our creative writing faculty.

Taught and supervised by world-leading scholars, the course will develop your research skills and you'll be able to apply these to a substantial piece of independent research. This will provide you with a foundation for doctoral research, as well as transferable skills for related careers in teaching, publishing, arts management and journalism. ?

Environment, Economics and Ecology is a unique interdisciplinary degree that advances your critical abilities to tackle real-world environmental challenges, manage economic and social pressures in a sustainable manner, and integrate the benefits that people derive from the environment into policy decisions and practice.

It focuses on ecosystem services as the linkages between human and natural systems, and the need for a holistic socio-ecological approach to understand challenges and solutions to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Theoretical physics provides the tools for constructing the mathematical framework of the physical world.

On a foundation of advanced physics, you'll build your understanding of theoretical techniques. You'll use mathematical analysis and an array of computational methods to address complex problems. You'll learn key skills of analysis and research, write scientific reports to industry standards, and simulate huge physical systems using our supercomputers.

In your fourth year, you'll apply and develop your skills on a paid industrial placement. This gives you the chance to gain practical, real world experience, enhancing your degree and your CV.

Work with world-renowned physicists using sophisticated equipment to probe the nature of existence and push the boundaries of research. You will learn to utilise supercomputers like York's own Viking cluster, developing parallel code to model complex physical systems.

There has never been greater need for scientists who understand how the Earth system functions and responds to human activities, and who can apply this knowledge in the broader social and economic context of managing the environment to ensure a sustainable future.

Research-led teaching with a multi-disciplinary focus will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental problems such as climate change, air pollution and energy transitions.