Master's Programme in Physics 120 credits
About the programme
The Master’s programme in Physics gives you the opportunity to acquire wider and deeper knowledge and abilities within one or several subareas in physics. You are free to choose courses according to your own interests and ambitions, but we also offer three special profiles: Computational Physics, Advanced Materials and Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. The study atmosphere is international and you can choose to study part of the programme in another country.
Choose between three profiles
Possibility to study abroad for a semester
Degree project within research group
While studying
Each term comprises two study periods and you will usually take two parallel courses for each study period. You are free to choose courses according to your own interests. Many courses include laboratory exercises or computer based projects. For every course you get three examination opportunities per year, the first directly after the course finishes.
Exam project close to research
The programme ends with an exam project comprising a minimum of 30 ECTS. You will work independently with your project supervised by one of our scientists. You can do your project in one of the research fields of the Department of Physics.
We have research in Condensed Matter Physics, Organic Electronics, Nanophysics, Photonics, Optical/Laser Physics, Biological Physics, Plasma Physics, Flame Dynamics, General Relativity, Statistical Physics, Quantum Physics, Computational Physics, Complex Networks, Space Physics and Physics Education.
You can also implement your project outside of the department, for example in a company or in another university, in Sweden or abroad.
World-class research on optical measurement methods
Aleksandra Foltynowicz, professor of physics at Umeå University, has always been interested in technology, physics, and mathematics. Today, she works on developing new optical measurement methods to study molecules in the gas phase.
Study abroad?
The Department of Physics at Umeå University provides high quality education and research, and we have received funding for several promising young scientists. The study atmosphere is international and students also have the opportunity to complete part of their studies abroad.
Programme overview
Future and career opportunities
The programme gives a good foundation for PhD studies and research in higher academic institutions as well as in the industry. As the programme is flexible it can easily be adapted to the labour market and physicists often work as engineers in various physics-related fields.
In general, studies in physics give you good training in analytical thinking and problem solving in combination with high competence in mathematical model building and computer usage. These skills make physicists useful also in other fields of the labour market, for example in the insurance, finance and economy sectors.
Programme director
Apply
-
Autumn 2025
-
Master's Programme in Physics
International admissions round
Autumn 2025 / Umeå / English / On site
Show more Show less
StartAutumn Term 2025
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-M5014
Eligibility A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in physics including a course in Quantum Mechanics of minimum 6 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
DegreeAfter completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Physics).
ApplicationApplication deadline was 15 January 2025. The application period is closed.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
-
Master's Programme in Physics
Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
Autumn 2025 / Umeå / English / On site
Show more Show less
StartAutumn Term 2025
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-P5014
Eligibility A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in physics including a course in Quantum Mechanics of minimum 6 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
DegreeAfter completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Physics).
ApplicationApplication deadline was 15 April 2025. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Submit a late application at Universityadmissions.se.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
-
-
Autumn 2026
-
Master's Programme in Physics
International admissions round
Autumn 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
Application opens 16 October 2025Show more Show less
StartAutumn Term 2026
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-M5014
Eligibility A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in physics including a course in Quantum Mechanics of minimum 6 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
DegreeAfter completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Physics).
ApplicationThe online application opens 16 October 2025 at 13:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 January 2026.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
-
Master's Programme in Physics
Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
Autumn 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
Application opens 16 March 2026Show more Show less
StartAutumn Term 2026
Number of credits120 credits
Type of studiesOn site
Study pace100%
Length2 years
Study locationUmeå
LanguageEnglish
Application codeUMU-P5014
Eligibility A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 75 ECTS in physics including a course in Quantum Mechanics of minimum 6 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.SelectionAcademic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS)
DegreeAfter completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). In Swedish, Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is called Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen. The degree is awarded in the main field of study (Physics).
ApplicationThe online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
Application and tuition feesAs a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 76,150
Total fee: SEK 304,600
-
How to apply
Apply online via universityadmissions.se
You apply to our programmes and courses via universityadmissions.se – the official website for higher education applications in Sweden. There, you can track your application, check that your documents have been registered, and log in to find our your admission results.
Late applications
Admissions to most programmes and courses typically close after the final application deadline. However, some programmes and courses may still accept late applications if seats are available. These are marked “Open for late application” on universityadmissions.se. Please note that late applications are not guaranteed to be reviewed.
More about application and admission
Research excellence at Umeå University
Be a part of a world-class environment for teaching and research – where the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 geneediting began, and where innovation continues to shape the future.
-
Innovative with international impact
Research for society, nature and the future. Read about our research research environments and infrastructure.
-
Open climate for groundbreaking research
Emmanuelle Charpentier credits the research environment in Umeå as a key factor in her discovery.
Questions about the programme?
Good to know
How to apply
A step-by-step guide to apply for studies at Umeå University.
Chat with our students
Are you wondering what it's really like to study at Umeå University?
Experience Umeå
Northern Sweden’s largest city – diverse, dynamic, and student-friendly.