Stockholm, Sweden
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
31 Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 70,000 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are not required to pay fees
Key Summary
Introduction
In the Master's Program in Computational Physics, you will learn how to translate a mathematical model of a physical phenomenon into a robust computer program and then how to analyze the results from your calculations. You will study courses in programming, and mathematical and numerical methods and deepen your knowledge of physics.
This two-year program gives you advanced knowledge and broad qualifications in the application of numerical methods and modern computational techniques on a range of physical problems while continuing your physics education with advanced courses in classical and modern physics. You are provided with a basic course block in mathematical methods, high-level language programming, and numerical methods. This is followed by advanced courses in statistical physics and in the course in computational physics, you will learn how to use program packages in the form of numerical libraries to model physical phenomena. During the second year, you will choose to specialize in subjects like quantum chemistry, condensed matter physics, analytical mechanics, numerical methods, machine learning, or how to use large parallel computers.
The last phase of the program consists of the master thesis project, where you get to apply your acquired model-building skills to take on current problems in modern physics. With support from an experienced supervisor, you will be trained in planning, performing, and reporting a research project. We offer the possibility to carry out long projects, up to one year, either in one of our research groups at the department or through a company outside of the university, giving you direct experience of the private sector working environment.
Curriculum
The program represents two years of full-time studies (120 credits), out of which 30, 45, or 60 credits are allocated to the master thesis project. Within the program, there is a lot of freedom to choose the courses that best suit your interests and your physics profile. There is also room for you to broaden your competence thanks to a large number of optional courses.
Year 1
1st Semester
- Mathematical Methods in Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7048
- Numerical Methods for Physicists II, 7.5 credits, BE7001
- Programming and Computer Science for Physicists, 7.5 credits, DA7011
- Optional courses*, 7.5 credits
2nd Semester
- Simulation Methods in Statistical Physics, 7.5 credits, FK8028
- Statistical Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7058
- Computational Physics, 15 credits, FK8029
Year 2
1st Semester
Optional courses*, 0 or 15, or 30 credits
2nd Semester
Degree project, 30, 45, or 60 credits
* Optional courses
In order to give you the ability to customize the program to your interests and needs, you have the possibility to choose among a number of optional courses. Most of these courses will normally be taken during the second year and compromise approximately half a semester. The courses can be selected from the broad range of courses offered by the Department of Physics and by the Department of Mathematics, but should in each case be approved by us. Below you will find a list of recommended courses that fulfill the level and content requirements for the Master's program:
- Analytical Mechanics, 7.5 credits, FK7049
- Condensed Matter Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7060
- Electrodynamics, 7.5 credits, FK7045
- Introduction to Quantum Information and Quantum Computation, 7.5 credits, FK7052
- Machine Learning for Physicists and Astronomers, 7.5 credits, FK7068
- Quantum Chemistry, 15 credits, FK7059
We also recommend the Second Cycle courses in scientific computing given by the Department of Mathematics. Choose the appropriate semester and then look under Scientific Computing. You can also choose a few courses on a basic level (maximum 30 credits), for example in Computer Science.
Independent project
The master thesis project usually starts during the second year but may start as soon as you have earned at least 45 credits of advanced courses in physics. The project is normally 45 credits but 60- and 30-credit projects are also possible. Several of the research groups at the Department of Physics work in computational physics and can offer suitable projects. It is also possible to do your graduation project in industry or at other departments as long as the content of the specific project is such that it qualifies as a computational physics project.
Career Opportunities
With this degree, you will have modern, up-to-date knowledge of physics and computational science. Your ability to understand, analyze and translate a great variety of problems to computer models is requested in high-tech industries and research companies and a large fraction of our alumni work with modeling and programming.
This degree also has a wider application and your skills are attractive in different areas ranging from academic particle physics over medical imaging all the way to fund analysis in the Bank of England!
An internship is a great way to test your skills and gain work experience in a real-world environment. During your master's studies, you can add an internship course and get the chance to experience working life before you graduate. You can choose a course of 7.5 ECTS or 15 ECTS depending on how long you want the internship to be.