Physics with Fusion and Plasma Physics
Gain the skills you need to prepare for a research career in plasma physics with a focus on fusion energy.
Deepen your knowledge of plasma physics and its application to fusion to prepare for a research career
Receive expert training in research skills including plasma simulations and experimental diagnostics
Complete a three-month, full-time research project with options to interact with international fusion laboratories
Course key facts
Qualification
MSc
Duration
1 year
Start date
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£18,400 Home
£40,400 Overseas
Delivered by
Location
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
Normally a First class Honours in Physics, or a relevant Scientific or Engineering discipline
Course overview
Enhance your physics knowledge for a research career with this full-time Master's course focusing on plasma physics.
You'll gain a solid foundation to understand and work with plasma in tokamaks, stellarators, and laser-driven fusion devices, along with other applications.
The course covers theoretical, computational, and experimental aspects, allowing you to specialize through project choices.
A key component is a three-month project on plasma physics, usually tied to fusion, conducted with academic groups or external laboratories.
You'll explore advanced mathematical and computational methods, receive training in research skills, and complete a project culminating in a scientific report and presentations.
This course prepares you for doctoral research in plasma physics and fusion or positions in the growing commercial fusion sector.
MSc Physics streams
This is one of several MSc Physics streams available at Imperial. You may wish to consider choosing one of the following streams:
- Physics (generic stream)
- Physics with Extended Research
- Physics with Fusion and Plasma Physics (this stream)
- Physics with Quantum Dynamics
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Please note, starred modules may be substituted with an alternative optional module if the content has already been covered at undergraduate level.
Core modules
Study the basic topics of plasma physics in a more detailed and mathematical way. Create advanced theoretical methods to improve the quantitative analysis of plasma physics needed for research.
Explore the advanced plasma physics concepts specific to laser-driven fusion and the associated fields of shock physics and high-energy density physics.
Uncover the connections to laboratory astrophysics and high-intensity laser plasmas.
Dive into the advanced plasma physics concepts specific to tokamaks, stellarators, and other magnetic confinement devices.
This module includes particle confinement, magnetic equilibrium and stability, and plasma-surface interaction.
Discover key mathematical methods used by physicists including basic linear algebra and vector space theory.
Learn the essentials about the nature of plasma and start your journey on mastering the key models such as single-particle motion, magnetohydrodynamics and kinetic theory.
Gain practical experience with essential simulation tools in plasma physics research while improving your Python skills. Develop a clear understanding of key experimental diagnostics for plasma measurement and learn how to effectively analyse experimental data.
Develop a foundational understanding of the statistics behind large-scale data analysis in the physical sciences.
Covers key concepts underpinning the application of machine learning to the experimental sciences.
Complete a three-month, full-time project on plasma physics.
Carry out a self-study project in a topic of your choice relevant to fusion or plasma physics.
You’ll also choose one or two optional modules – from a broad set common to MSc Physics – to the value of at least 7.5 ECTS. Selected examples are outlined here.
Optional modules
Further your knowledge of supersonic compressible flows, shock physics, inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics.
Explore why QFT (Quantum Field Theory) is essential to understand nature at smallest scales. You’ll also learn how to use Feynman diagrams to describe physical processes using perturbation theory.
Acquire a mathematically rigorous understanding of laser physics and learn the basic mechanisms of laser action.
Understand the key physical concepts underlying laser and nonlinear optics and their contemporary applications.
Study how the co-operative behaviour of many simple constituents can lead to the emergence of new physics that could not have been predicted directly from the microscopic laws of motion.
Analyse the way physical properties can be manipulated at the nanoscale compared to bulk materials and how that underpins modern electronic devices.
You will explore the physics of plasmas in the solar system, from the Sun and solar wind to planets, comets, and moons. You will apply plasma-physics concepts to understand and predict space weather and other space phenomena.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Virtual learning environment
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Lectures
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Lecture recordings
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Practical work
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Problem classes
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Tutorials
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Self-study project
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Problem sets
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Self-study project
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may vary depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Research skills/project
- Self-study project
- Coursework and examinations
- 42% Title 1 goes here
- 8% Title 2 goes here
- 50% Title 3 goes here
Assessment methods
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Coursework
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Dissertation
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Examination
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Oral presentation
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Poster
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Practical
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Oral assessment
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Written report
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 2 closes on Wednesday 7 January 2026
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Monday 29 September 2025
- Applications close on Wednesday 7 January 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 8 January 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Decision by Wednesday 6 May 2026
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 29 April 2026
- Decision by Thursday 2 July 2026
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH07-01-01
- Descriptor: Physics
- Supervisor name: Professor Stefan Soldner-Rembold
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Fees and funding
Home fee
2026 entry
£18,400
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee
2026 entry
£40,400
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
The maximum value of the loan is £12,858 for courses starting on or after 1 August 2025.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note:
- The loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start.
- If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
Gain the knowledge and skills necessary for plasma physics or fusion doctoral research.
Position yourself to enter an international laboratory or the rapidly developing commercial fusion sector as a researcher.
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Physics graduates at Imperial are highly sought after in a variety of employment sectors.
Employment opportunities exist in a wide range of fields, including space science & technology, computational fluid dynamics, ocean & climate modelling, and laser technology.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: ph-pgt@imperial.ac.uk
Course Co-Directors: Dr Robert Kingham and Dr Yasmin Andrew
Visit the Department of Physics website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications