Physics with Computing

Physics with computing is an integrated master's degree that combines the fundamental science of physics with the computational methods and programming skills that are increasingly central to both physical research and the broader technology sector. Physics explains how the universe works at every scale, developing rigorous mathematical and conceptual tools for understanding matter, energy, space, and time. Computing provides the algorithmic thinking, programming expertise, and data management skills that modern physicists need to simulate complex systems, analyse large datasets, and build the software tools on which contemporary research and industry depend.

At Loughborough, this five-year MPhys degree allows you to combine the study of physics with key aspects of computing and mathematics, building a skillset that is highly sought after in both research and industry. You will study the core of physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and modern physics topics, alongside computing modules covering programming, algorithms, numerical methods, and software development. The integration of these two areas reflects the reality of modern physics practice, where computational fluency is no longer a supplementary skill but a core requirement.

Graduating with an integrated master's provides both the depth of a research-oriented physics education and the applied competencies that employers in industry and technology prize.

Graduates of physics with computing degrees are well positioned for careers in research and development, data science, technology, quantitative finance, simulation engineering, and scientific computing. The combination of strong physical intuition and programming ability is particularly valuable in sectors including aerospace, defence, semiconductors, energy modelling, and the rapidly growing area of scientific machine learning. Many graduates pursue doctoral research in physics, computational science, or related fields, while others move directly into technology companies where the combination of rigorous mathematical thinking and software skills sets them apart from graduates with a single-discipline background.