Master in Physics and Scientific Modelling

Master in Physics and Scientific Modelling is one of 7 English-taught Physics programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 5 institutions. 6 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 8,000 to EUR 17,300; this programme lists EUR 8,000 a year. 6 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

Physics and Scientific Modelling at Roskilde University is a two-year master's programme taught in English. It trains you in experimental, theoretical and numerical methods to solve problems in physics and other fields. The balance between experiments, theory and numeric techniques depends on the courses and projects you choose.

What you study

The programme starts from physics and the laws of nature, but the focus is on independent work: you identify which physical concepts and mathematical and numerical methods are relevant to a given problem. In your projects you can go deep into experimental, computer science or mathematical aspects of modelling. You can also apply physics competencies outside classical physics if you want an interdisciplinary profile.

You can follow one of three predefined thematic profiles:

• Experimental and Computational Physics: practical implementation of physics and scientific modelling, with focus on acquiring data via experiments or scientific computing, and on data analysis and data science.
• Mathematical Foundation of Physics and Scientific Modelling: the role of mathematics in modelling, the mathematical way of thinking and how it differs from physics, with focus on logic and proofs. This profile is relevant for teaching.
• Experimental and Computational Biophysics: data acquisition, analysis and modelling in biophysics, biochemistry and bioscience.

You can also build an individual profile by combining elective courses within Physics and Scientific Modelling. Courses named on the programme page include Experiments and Models: Linear Response and Structure and Dynamics of Condensed Matter (10 ECTS), Integrated Science (5 ECTS), Problem Solving in Physics I and II (5 and 10 ECTS), Probability and Statistics (5 ECTS), Statistical Physics with Scientific Programming (5 ECTS), Scientific Computing and Data Science (10 ECTS), Differential Equations in Models (5 ECTS), Differential Geometry (5 ECTS), Dynamical Systems Analysis (5 ECTS), Biophysical Chemistry (5 ECTS) and Proteomics and Metabolomics (5 ECTS). The exact mix depends on your specialisation.

How the programme is organised

Teaching is split evenly: 50 % courses and 50 % project work. You and your fellow students set the direction of your studies. In the first year you take courses and a Modelling Project (15 ECTS). In the third semester you choose either a Specialisation Project or a Project-oriented Internship (15 ECTS). The programme ends with a 30 ECTS master's thesis in Physics and Scientific Modelling.

You can spend a semester abroad, either as an internship at a partner company or one you find yourself, or as an exchange at a partner university. The programme is linked to the Department of Science and Environment, and you are invited to academic seminars, student-run events such as Natcafé and boardgame nights, and an annual alumni event.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you like to formulate your own problems and work independently with physics, mathematics and data. You should be comfortable with project work and with choosing methods rather than following a fixed curriculum. It fits students who want to combine physics with computer science, mathematics or biophysics, or who aim for a career in research, teaching or data-heavy fields.

Admission, language and next steps

The programme is closed for admission. Only students holding a bachelor's degree from Roskilde University with a legal right of admission (retskrav) can still be admitted. The qualifying bachelor's programmes are listed on the programme page: for example, a Naturvidenskabelig bachelor or the International Bachelor in Natural Sciences with combinations such as Physics + Mathematics, Physics + Computer Science, Physics + Chemistry, Physics + Environmental Biology, Physics + Molecular Biology, or Physics + Filosofi og videnskabsteori. The teaching language is English. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a fee set by the institution. Applications for master's programmes go directly to the institution. Check the programme page for the exact application steps and documentation.

Master’s applications go straight to Roskilde University, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.