Physics Graduate Diploma PgDip
Our Physics Graduate Diploma programme is for graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge and expertise in physics or astrophysics, either for general interest or to enable entry to MSc or PhD programmes. The programme follows the core of the honours years in an Astrophysics or a Physics BSc Hons degree, with introductory material to ease transition into the subject. It is ideal for those with a degree that already provides a grounding in applied mathematics, problem-solving, and academic writing and presentation, and can be combined with our Physics and Astronomy MSc programmes.
- Academic contact: Andy.Buckley@glasgow.ac.uk
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- PgDip: 12 months months full-time;
Why this programme
- The graduate diploma route allows graduates in cognate subjects to augment existing skills with physics and astrophysics specific subject knowledge, opening routes to a new suite of careers and further education opportunities.
- The graduate diploma can be combined with a University of Glasgow 1-year MSc programme otherwise only available to physics and astrophysics graduates.
- The School of Physics and Astronomy is active and highly rated in research spanning physics and astrophysics, from radio and solar astronomy to gravitational waves, particle and nuclear physics to quantum information, and from nanoscale imaging to quantum optics and sensing.
- You will benefit from our membership of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance. The alliance brings together internationally leading physics researchers across Scotland to form the largest physics grouping in the UK.
- You will benefit from direct contact with our group of international experts who will teach you cutting-edge physics and supervise your projects.
Programme structure
The programme includes the central topics of honours physics, with modes of delivery including lectures, seminars and tutorials and computer-lab work. You will have the flexibility to tailor your choice of optional lecture courses and project work toward your specific research topics of interest.
Core courses
- Quantum Mechanics
- Thermal Physics
- Electromagnetic Theory 1
- Honours Computational Physics Laboratory
Optional courses
- Mathematical Methods 1***
- Waves & Diffraction
- Circuits & Systems
- Analytical Mechanics
- Medical Imaging
- Lasers and Non-Linear Optics
- Instruments for Optical and Radio Astronomy* / Stellar Structure and Evolution**
- Cosmology* / High Energy Astrophysics**
- Solid State Physics
- Atomic Systems
- Particle Physics
- Semiconductor Physics
- Mathematical Methods 2***
- Energy and the Environment
*Offered in alternate years starting 2026/27.
**Offered in alternate years starting 2027/28.
***Students may take either Maths Methods 1 or Maths Methods 2, depending on prior background.
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.
Career prospects
Successful completion of this programme will equip you for graduate-level careers in physics and in disciplines such as:
- data-science
- quantitative analysis
- software engineering.
It will also equip you to progress to a Masters or PhD programme in physics or astrophysics.
In particular, this programme guarantees entry to MSc programmes in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow. This opens up a variety of future options in:
- academic research based in universities, research institutes, observatories and laboratory facilities
- industrial research in a wide range of fields including energy and the environmental sector, IT and semiconductors, optics and lasers, materials science, telecommunications, engineering
- banking and commerce
- higher education.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26
PgDip
UK
- Full-time fee: £8560
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £19800
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Entry requirements
2:1 or above in a first degree in a cognate subject: e.g. Maths, Chemistry, Computing Science, Engineering. Previous study must include modules in Mathematics, providing a core of calculus and linear algebra needed for physics study.
English language requirements
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
- 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford English Test
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Tests
- Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham.
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Postgraduate events
