(Full time) 2019 start
Physics and Business Management MSc
Overview
This unique interdisciplinary Professional Science Masters programme, developed in partnership between The School of Physics and Astronomy and Leeds University Business School, offers you the opportunity to develop both high level physics competencies and key business management skills.
The programme will be especially relevant to you if you are working in, or seeking a career within, the SME advanced technology sector, where a strong background in both applied fundamental science, and an understanding of commercial and business environments is highly desirable. However, the programme will equally be of value to those seeking a more commercially focussed role in larger organisations.
Employers regularly state that STEM graduates lack commercial awareness - this programme will seek to address this skills deficit.
Course content
A unique feature of this programme is that you will not study the Physics and Business Management elements in isolation of each other. The large research project will form a capstone for the programme that brings together both the business and scientific elements to solve a business-specified problem. The research project will be carried out in conjunction with industry, where appropriate, and will bring together both business and scientific elements to solve a business-specific problem.
You will benefit from:
- the highest standards of research informed teaching
- internationally excellent research quality
- academic staff at the forefront of their subjects
- a variety of teaching and assessment methods
- state-of-the-art facilities
- working in an active, interdisciplinary environment, with researchers from physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering and business backgrounds.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Strategic Management 15 credits
- Systems Thinking and Consulting Practice 15 credits
- Research Design and Analysis 15 credits
- Interdisciplinary Research Project 45 credits
- Advanced Group Industrial Project 15 credits
- Current Research Topics in Physics 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Creation 15 credits
- Effective Decision Making 15 credits
- Managing for Innovation 15 credits
- Advanced Management Decision Making 15 credits
- Innovation Management in Practice 15 credits
- Soft Matter Physics: Liquid Crystals 15 credits
- Quantum Many-Body Physics 15 credits
- Winds, Bubbles and Explosions 15 credits
- Bionanophysics 2: Advanced Bionanophysics Research 15 credits
- Superconductivity 15 credits
- Soft Matter Physics: Polymers, Colloids and Glasses 15 credits
- General Relativity 15 credits
- Quantum Information Science 15 credits
Learning and teaching
Teaching methods involve a combination of lectures, tutorials, case studies, workshops and contact with relevant industries. The final stage of study is an individual extended research project which is typically carried out within a research group and may also include external industrial involvement.
Assessment
Assessment is based on course work, research project performance and written exams which take place at the end of the semester in which the module is taught.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in physics or a related physical science (in most cases). Applicants with engineering degrees will normally not be considered, unless they have a strong background in at least two of the following areas: astrophysics, quantum physics, biophysics, soft matter, or condensed matter.
A 2:2 degree with significant industrial experience may also be considered.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the School of Physics and Astronomy Admissions Team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
31 July 2019 - International applicants
31 August 2019 - Home/EU applicants
This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a scheme called the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). If you are an international (non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen) applicant and require a student visa to study in the UK then you will need an ATAS certificate to study this course at the University of Leeds.
To apply for an ATAS certificate online, you will need your programme details and the relevant Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code and descriptor. For this course, the CAH code is: CAH07-01-01 and the descriptor is: Physics.
More information and details on how to apply for your ATAS certificate can be found at GOV.UK.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences Postgraduate Admissions Policy 2019
Fees
- UK/EU: £10,500 (total)
- International: £22,750 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
The School of Physics and Astronomy offers a range of scholarships for UK, EU and International students.
Find out more about our scholarships.
Career opportunities
You’ll receive sector-specific training to suit your own career objectives and be given the guidance to apply your knowledge by experts from both the business and science communities.
You’ll be well-placed for senior roles in industry, whether that be within small high technology companies looking to develop new markets, or large corporate organisations looking to manage growth and change, in sectors such as Aerospace, Consumer Electronics, Energy and Power, Healthcare, IT and Telecommunications.
Many such organisations need skilled employees with the ability to apply their scientific knowledge in a business management capacity. Furthermore, graduates are increasingly finding careers in companies that are applying digital technologies to improve their business.
Careers Support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.