The National University of Ireland, Maynooth
MSc Theoretical Physics and Mathematics
Maynooth, Ireland
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,000
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
This course is intended introduce graduates in theoretical physics, mathematics, and related disciplines to current ideas and methods at the forefront of modern theoretical physics and mathematics research, including
- Topics in theoretical physics: gravitation and cosmology, fluid mechanics, condensed matter physics, quantum information and subatomic physics.
- Topics in pure mathematics: functional analysis, algebraic and differential topology, representation theory, Riemannian and non-Riemannian geometry.
Although the topics are diverse, there are commonalities which mean that the same mathematical and numerical methods can often be used in different fields, and there are many intersections between these topics. This MSc will also introduce descriptions and methods originally developed in theoretical physics and mathematics, which have found application in a wide range of other fields including biological systems, finance and computer science. It introduces students to the forefront of current research through a supervised project and may serve as an entry point to a research degree.
Full-time students will take 30 ECTS each semester, plus the 30-ECTS research project over the summer. The 60 ECTS of taught modules normally includes at least 40 ECTS at 500- and 600-level. The 500- and 600-level modules each have at least 3 contact hours per week including tutorials/problem classes. Several reading modules and advanced final year undergraduate modules are included to allow flexibility to address the needs of the students, given the likely diversity of their backgrounds.
Many graduates of this programme will wish to pursue PhD study in the areas of theoretical physics or mathematics, often with a view to an academic or research career. An MSc in these areas provides a strong and necessary foundation. For application to many PhD programmes, it is an essential qualification.
Outside academia, the expertise gained in a theoretical physics and mathematics MSc is frequently applied in industries such as financial mathematics, data science and high-performance computing. Graduates from theoretical physics and mathematics MSc programmes are highly sought after in the financial and IT sectors. It is important to emphasise that mathematics and physics provide the theoretical foundations on which the software and algorithms used in these industries is based. Graduates with advanced degrees in mathematics and theoretical physics are therefore well-equipped to make fundamental contributions: shaping new theoretical developments at the coalface in these areas.