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Physics, Particle Physics - Master Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

A whiteboard with blue letters that says "the big question"

Description

Are you fascinated by the tiniest components of our world and the forces that affect them? This Master’s programme enables you to take part in the hunt for new knowledge via international experiments such as those at CERN, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. At the same time, you will acquire expertise that is useful beyond the world of research.

In this programme, you will gain an understanding of the fundamental principles that govern the structure of the entire physical world, through the mathematical theories and experimental data that reveal the physics of the known universe. Among other things, the Master’s programme will provide you with specialised knowledge of the standard model of physics, including its fundamental potential to explain the basic principles of physics, as well as its limitations. You will gain insight into the research that strives for explanations outside the framework of the standard model, e.g. with regard to the universe’s dark matter. You will also get an opportunity to immerse yourself in research on the quark-gluon plasma, the extremely energy-dense matter which characterised the early universe.

These areas of knowledge are investigated at CERN, on the border between France and Switzerland. Lund University’s Department of Physics participates very actively in the research at CERN. As a student in the Master’s programme in particle physics, you will visit the facility to study the ongoing research in two of the laboratory’s largest experiments, ATLAS (on the standard model) and ALICE (on quark-gluon plasma). You will also participate actively in analysing fresh data from the experiments. Particle physicists at Lund University are also very active in setting up a new experiment: LDMX – Light Dark Matter eXperiment. Construction will start 2026 at SLAC in California, first data collection to begin 1.5 years later, and one year later LDMX will become one of the most sensitive experiments in the world searching for dark matter. Finally, we have also activities at the European Spallation Source (ESS) under construction in Lund where a fundamental physics program is being developed, which will include searches for neutron-antineutron oscillations and neutrino physics.

The Master’s programme has strong links to research, and provides you with extensive training in processing and interpreting large amounts of data. You will practise both oral and written communication and gain good experience of collaborating in groups. All teaching staff members are active researchers, so the courses are continuously adapted to current research. The proportion of teacher-directed learning is high. The language of instruction is English.

Programme structure

The programme includes two compulsory courses, one in quantum mechanics and one on quantum physics in research and society. During your first year of study, you will also choose between a number of other courses, for example in experimental tools, modern experimental particle physics or statistical mechanics.

During your second year of study, you will continue to build your expertise on the basis of your personal preferences. For example, you can take a course on theoretical particle physics. Your degree project will be equivalent to either 30 or 60 credits and will be done in a research group. During the degree project work, you have the opportunity to be an active member of an international research team and, in certain cases, to visit the experiments or take part in workshops and meetings.

Career prospects

The Master’s programme provides a good basis for research studies in particle physics and prepares you to work in the major international research laboratories. Both the research facilities in Lund – the MAX IV Laboratory and ESS (European Spallation Source) – also contribute to new opportunities on the labour market. A master’s degree in particle physics also prepares you well for a career path outside of academia; many graduates go on to jobs in fields such as information and communications technology, or e-science, where there is a need for expertise in advanced programming and modelling as well as the processing of large amounts of data.

Closed for applications

Application opportunities

Contact

Programme coordinator

Peter Christiansen

Email: peter [dot] christiansen [at] hep [dot] lu [dot] se

Study advisor

Email: studievagledning [at] fysik [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree of at least 180 credits in physics or the equivalent. The degree must include at least 90 credits in physics. 

Proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper-secondary school.

 

Selection criteria

Based on grades awarded for previous academic courses, particularly qualifying courses, and a statement of purpose for the application (from the applicant’s “Summary sheet”).

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Autumn Semester 2024

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

2 September 2024 - 7 June 2026

Application

Closed for applications

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 

Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit a 'Summary Sheet' when you apply for this programme.

Summary Sheet for the Master's programmes in Physics (PDF, new window)

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme 

 

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 340 000

First payment: SEK 85 000

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations

More information and testimonials about this Master's