Schools MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces at Imperial College London

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An individual with an engineering background is interested in pursuing an MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces at Imperial College London, seeking advice on prerequisites, costs, and work-study balance. The program requires a strong foundation in physics, including Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, quantum mechanics, and special relativity, which may pose a challenge for those without a physics degree. Non-EU tuition fees are approximately £17,750, and while part-time work is possible, it may limit study time and is subject to visa restrictions. Participants emphasize the importance of thorough preparation in mathematics and physics before attempting advanced studies in theoretical physics. Overall, obtaining a physics bachelor's degree is recommended as a more viable path to meet the requirements for the desired master's program.
  • #31
3 days a week should be manageable. The course takes 2 years part time, so that's manageable too.
 
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  • #32
2 years, not so bad I suppose. Personally I don't know how I'd survive on 3 days~£150 a week maybe? so £600 a month (unless I landed a really good part time job). Living in London, where the rent will be more than that alone. Plus having to pay the fees.

Guessing you must have landed a pretty good part time job!
 
  • #33
Azrael84 said:
2 years, not so bad I suppose. Personally I don't know how I'd survive on 3 days~£150 a week maybe? so £600 a month (unless I landed a really good part time job). Living in London, where the rent will be more than that alone. Plus having to pay the fees.

These are good points. Why not take a year out, do a PGCE, and become a part-time physics teacher? Also, when you fail to get a professional career as a string theorist*, you will then also have a respectable career to fall back on...

*OK, you might succeed, but better to cover all bases, especially the most probable ones!
 
  • #34
I've posted this somewhere else recently, hopefully I'm not breaching any rules by pasting it here.

Hi all ,
I recently finished the MSc in QFFF part-time while working full-time in investment banking. My background is a BSc math degree from Imperial.
I spent most of my time self-studying and took vacations for the exams. I went to almost no lectures at all and I wish I had because I would have enjoyed this degree a lot more.
Most rewarding aspect was the thesis which has some remarks I have not been able to find in the literature.
My interest in physics is not related to my field of business in investment banking and I only took this degree for personal intellectual satisfaction. I wouldn't do a PhD in theoretical physics. This degree has, however, increased the range of tools I normally use (mathematical methods etc...)
I can't say how it compares to Part III. I went to a few lectures in Cambridge when I visited a friend and it seems to me that the level of difficulty is comparable. However, there is a lot more to choose from at Cambridge whereas there's a more limited range of courses at Imperial. I believe this was Imperial's Theory Group response to Part III as most lecturers at Imperial are Cambridge educated.
Hope this helps.
 

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