MSc Engineering Physics
The master's programme in Engineering Physics bridges the gap between theoretical physics and practical engineering, seeking to develop future technology. Solving complex problems is an integral part of the education, demanding in-depth knowledge of physics, as well as analytical and computational tools. Through specialisations, students become domain experts in one field of physics and go on to advanced industrial R&D positions or PhD studies.
Engineering Physics at KTH
The master's programme in Engineering Physics combines theoretical physics with practical engineering to prepare you to work with future technology. You will learn state-of-the-art experimental and computational methods and develop the skills needed to solve complex problems.
A central part of the programme is the opportunity to specialise within one area of physics. The programme offers five tracks: Theoretical Physics, Subatomic and Astrophysics, Biomedical Physics, Light and Matter Physics, and Quantum Technology. You choose your track when you start the programme and build deep knowledge within your chosen field through a combination of mandatory, track-specific and elective courses. This gives you the freedom to shape your studies based on your interests and goals. During the final semester, you will carry out a master’s degree project in an academic or industrial environment in Sweden or abroad.
Biomedical Physics
The Biomedical Physics track focuses on using physics for applications and research in the life sciences, including biology, chemistry and medicine.
Light and Matter Physics
The Light and Matter Physics track focuses on applications connected to light and matter and allows you to specialize in condensed matter physics, optics or a field in between.
Quantum Technology
The Quantum Technology track focuses on engineering systems to manipulate and measure quantum states with applications in information processing, secure communication and sensing.
Subatomic and Astrophysics
The Subatomic and Astrophysics track covers numerous fundamental science topics at the forefront of contemporary physics.
Subatomic and Astrophysics track
Theoretical Physics
The Theoretical Physics track provides a broad education in fundamental theoretical physics and computational physics.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) in English. Graduates are awarded a Master of Science degree. The programme is given mainly at the KTH Campus in Stockholm by the School of Engineering Sciences (at KTH).
Courses in the programme
The course list shows how the programme is structured over four semesters. Within your track, you combine core courses with elective options to deepen your knowledge in your chosen area of physics.
Courses in the master's programme in Engineering Physics
Future and career
Biomedical Physics
After completing the Biomedical Physics track, both academic and industrial career paths are open to you. If you are interested in research, you can connect with research groups during your studies and often continue to PhD studies. The Science for Life Laboratory is a research infrastructure with a strong focus on enabling technologies. Many research groups from KTH, KI and SU are active there, creating good opportunities for further studies. There are also good opportunities in the rapidly growing medical and biotechnology sectors, with many start-ups and established companies in our region and elsewhere.
Light and Matter Physics
After completing this track, both academic and industrial career paths are open to you. If you are interested in research, you can connect with different research groups during your studies and often continue to PhD studies in Sweden or other countries. If you are interested in industry, you can go on to research and development roles in Swedish or international companies. Optics, photonics and electric materials are enabling technologies in many technology-based companies, and people with relevant skills in these areas are in high demand.
Quantum Technology
After completing the Quantum Technology track, you can pursue a career in the rapidly growing quantum technology sector, both in start-ups and established high-technology companies. The track also provides a solid foundation for further studies leading to a PhD. You can complement your studies with training in entrepreneurship. As a graduate, you will help shape a new technology whose future applications we cannot yet fully foresee.
Subatomic and Astrophysics
After completing the Subatomic and Astrophysics track, you will have good opportunities for a career at international research facilities and university-based research groups. The field is international by nature, deals with large data volumes and uses state-of-the-art detector techniques. Skills in these areas are also in demand in many parts of society, including consulting, medical imaging, space and high-tech companies, for example in the information technology sector.
Theoretical Physics
After completing the Theoretical Physics track, you will have good opportunities for a career as an advanced problem solver, in industrial research or in continued PhD studies. The skills you develop are in demand in the high-tech industry, consulting and information technology companies, and in the finance and insurance sectors. The ability to build models and make predictions is a valuable skill that finds application across a broad range of companies.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Engineering Physics are:
The focus of the programme is to equip you with the ability to develop novel technologies based on the principles of physics and for the benefit of future society. You will gain a deep understanding of your specialisation in physics and a high ability to take responsibility for your own life-long learning. The general problem-solving techniques learnt within the programme can be used for solving problems within several of the sustainable development goals. Obvious examples of this are the biomedical innovation research within the Biomedical Physics track and the research on renewable energy, water cleaning and smart materials in the Light and Matter Physics track.
Faculty and research
The master's programme in Engineering Physics is supported by two departments at KTH, the Department of Physics and the Department of Applied Physics. We are mainly located at the Albanova University Centre, a hub for physics research within the Stockholm area. Our research is divided into several fields covering most parts of modern physics.
- The Department of Applied Physics researches biomedical and X-ray physics, biophysics, laser physics, materials- and nanophysics, nanostructure physics, photonics, quantum and biophotonics.
- The Department of Physics researches condensed matter theory, nuclear physics, particle and astroparticle physics, and physics of medical imaging.
- Albanova University Centre
Key faculty members
Biomedical Physics
Light and Matter Physics
Quantum Technology
Subatomic and Astrophysics
Theoretical Physics
