Stockholm, Sweden
DEGREE TYPE
MSc
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
Four study paths are proposed: Particles and Cosmos, Quantum Matter, Atomic-Molecular-Optical physics, and finally General Physics. These reflect the areas of expertise of our researchers. General Physics is proposed to students who wish to keep a general profile or have not yet decided on a profile area. Strong R&D-oriented master projects are proposed.
The program covers detector physics and data analysis, quantum information, nanotechnology, particle physics, cosmology, atomic, molecular, laser, and attosecond physics, and has ramifications to domains such as astrophysics, atmospheric science, molecular biophysics, and astrobiology.
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 facultative and optional courses.
Curriculum
With a combination of mandatory, eligible, and optional courses you acquire a solid base in the analysis of data, experimental physics, and experimental methodology. This is complemented by at least one theoretical course. The last phase of the program consists of the master thesis project. We offer the possibility to carry out long projects, up to one year. Knowledge and skills acquired in the program find applications in many areas of industry and research.
Year 1
1st Semester
- Programming and Computer Science for Physicists, 7.5 credits, DA7011
- Eligible courses*, 22.5 credits
2nd Semester
- Statistical Methods in Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7061
- Eligible courses*, 22.5 credits
Year 2
1st Semester
Optional courses**, 0, 15, or 30 credits (the Physics Degree Project could start already in the 1 semester)
2nd Semester
Physics Degree Project, 45 credits, FK9002 (or Physics Degree Project, 30 credits, FK9001, or Physics Degree Project, 60 credits, FK9003).
*Eligible courses
At least one of the experimental courses:
- Physical Measuring Techniques, 7.5 credits, FK7063
- Detector Physics 7.5 credits, FK7056
At least one of the theoretical courses:
- Analytical Mechanics, 7.5 credits, FK7049
- Elektrodynamics, 7.5 credits, FK7045
- Statistical Physics, 7.5 credits, FK7058
Between 15 and 22.5hp of eligible courses, depending on the study path.
**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. The optional courses represent in a total of 15 to 45 credits, depending on the scope of the master thesis project. The optional courses can be chosen freely among all the physics courses proposed at Stockholm University.
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 usually carried out in one of the research groups of the physics department. The master thesis project may also be carried out at a different university or in a company. During the master thesis project, you are given the opportunity to participate in the activity and life of the research group. You work with a research question in a professional research environment where you are in contact with graduate students and researchers. While still a university environment, it provides a unique opportunity to dive deep into a professional environment and develop important soft skills (independence, perseverance, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and troubleshooting) before going further to industry or graduate studies.
Career Opportunities
A master's degree in physics opens up industry and institutions working with research and development, as well as doctoral studies. Many large experiments are carried out internationally and a master's degree in physics from Stockholm University opens up job opportunities at international laboratories, including the upcoming international facilities MAX IV and ESS in the south of Sweden. There is an increasing worldwide need for academics with advanced knowledge in physics. Among relevant areas, we find research, development, and usage of detectors and sensors, analysis of experimental data, energy production, applications of laser technology, instrumentation for medical applications, nanotechnology, telecommunications, photonics, and quantum information.
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.