Computational Physics
Computational physics is a discipline at the interface of physics and computer science, using powerful computational methods and numerical algorithms to model, simulate, and analyse physical systems that are too complex for purely analytical treatment. From the behaviour of quantum systems and the dynamics of turbulent fluids to the formation of galaxies and the folding of proteins, computational approaches have opened up domains of physics that were previously inaccessible, and the ability to combine physical insight with programming skill and mathematical rigour is increasingly central to research and industrial physics alike.
At the University of Edinburgh, this four-year full-time programme develops your understanding of physics at the deepest level alongside serious training in the computational methods, programming languages, and numerical techniques that modern physics employs. You will study classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, special relativity, and the mathematical physics that underpins all of these, while also developing proficiency in scientific programming and the specific computational tools used in different areas of physics research. A year abroad is incorporated into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study at a leading international physics department and encounter computational and theoretical physics in a different academic environment.
Computational physics graduates are in strong demand in academic research, the technology sector, financial services, defence, environmental modelling, and any field that requires the ability to model complex systems quantitatively. Roles include research scientist, data scientist, software engineer, quantitative analyst, and technical specialist in simulation and modelling. Many graduates continue to doctoral study in physics, data science, or related disciplines, and the combination of deep physical understanding and computational skill is particularly valued in research institutions and technology companies working at the frontier of scientific computing.