MSc Physics: Admission, Eligibility, Colleges, Syllabus, Subjects, Distance Education, Jobs and Scope 2023

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Sounak Banerjee

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MSc Physics is a two-year-long postgraduate level course in India. MSc Physics eligibility needs candidates to have minimum 50% marks in their bachelor degree (preferably BSc Physics Hons.) from a recognized university.

Admission to most of the top MSc Physics colleges in India like Hindu College, Hansraj College, Fergusson College, Ramjas College, etc is taken through entrance exams. Some of the popular entrances for MSc Physics admission are DUET, JNUEE, IPU CET , OUCET, BITSAT, BHU PET, etc

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The MSc Physics Syllabus covers 10 different domains of Physics, including quantum mechanics, astrophysics, optics, nuclear physics, among others. One can pursue MSc Physics distance education from colleges like Annamalai university, Alagappa university, Madurai Kamaraj University, etc within the maximum duration of 5 years. The eligibility criteria for the course to be studied from distance is the same as the criteria required for a regular course. However, admission is offered on the basis of merit. MSc Physics distance education can be pursued within a range of INR 12,000 to 60,000.

MSc Physics Highlights

MSc Physics Eligibility Criteria in India

MSc physics eligibility criteria for admission is discussed below:

  • A candidate should come to the course after a minimum of 10+2+3 years of continuous study.
  • For being eligible for most universities, a candidate must have a BSc physics Honours degree with a minimum of 50% marks in graduation, but some very good universities also demand 55% marks.
  • However, some universities like Delhi University also grant admission to candidates with BSc in electronics, mathematics and engineering graduates.
  • The minimum mark criteria for these candidates seeking admission to Delhi University is 60%.

The other MSc Physics eligibility criteria like age limit and caste-based qualifications vary from University to University.

MSc Physics Admission Process in India

Admission to this course in most of the top MSc physics colleges like Hindu College, Miranda House, Hansraj College and more are done on the basis of marks obtained in the entrance test.

Following are the basic steps any candidates need to take for MSc physics admission 2023:

  • Application for the course:

    • The first step for admission to MSc physics courses is applying for the course through the application portal of the university.
    • Most of universities provide a joint application form for both the entrance exam and the course application.
    • However, for universities like JNU, entrance exams are conducted by NTA, and the candidates will have to apply through the NTA website also.
  • Entrance Exam:

    • Entrance exams are compulsory for most of the top universities. A candidate willing to take admitted for the MSc physics course must qualify in the entrance examination.
    • Many universities like DU, JNU, BHU, have their own entrance examination, while some colleges like all the Fergusson College,Ramjas College, etc take admission through common entrance exams.
  • Merit list and counseling:

    • After the results of entrance examinations are published, the universities release a list of successful candidates who are called for document verification.
    • A candidate must check the university website regularly for any updates in this issue.
  • Interview and Enrollment:

    • This is the final step for the admission process in which a candidate needs to appear for an interview. The interviewer may or may not ask subject based questions to the candidates, depending on the policies of the institution.
    • At this step, the candidate must also present all the original transcripts and other essential documents required to establish his eligibility.
    • After his eligibility is proved, he is granted admission to the course.

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MSc Physics Entrance Exams in India 

Entrance Exams Registration Exam Dates
CUET PG April 2023 June 1 – 10, 2023
BITSAT February 2023 June 2023
NEST February 2023 June 2023
IIT JAM September 07 – October 11, 2023 February 12, 2023
DUET April 2023 July 2023
TISS NET December 14 – January 15, 2023 January 28 – February 28, 2023

MSc Physics Syllabus

This course is aimed at imparting knowledge on the advanced principles of Physics. A part of MSc Physics Syllabus includes seminars, lectures, workshops and practical lab work.

Students will be required to complete a research project towards the last two semesters and this forms an integral part of the MSc Physics syllabus. 

In the final evaluation, class assignments, end-semester exams, internships and project reports are taken into account.

There might be variations in the MSc Physics subjects from college to college. Following are the major MSc Physics subjects included in the syllabus for two years is as follows:

Year 1 Year 2
Mathematical Methods Nuclear Physics
Classical Mechanics Relativity and Cosmology
Quantum Mechanics Classical Electrodynamics
Electronics Advanced Optics
Solid State Physics Statistical Mechanics
Atomic Spectroscopy Group Theory
Molecular Spectroscopy Astrophysics
Curriculum

MSc Physics Important Books to Follow

Tabulated below are some of the books to understand the complex MSc Physics subjects in a better way.

Name of the Books Name of the Author
Mathematical Methods  Paul Goldbarts
Solid State Physics, Device and Electronics K. Vijaya Kumar & T. Sreekanth
Mechanics  D.S Mathur
Electricity and Magnetism James Clerk Maxwell
Optics  Ajay Ghatak

MSc Physics Top Colleges in India

MSc Physics Top Colleges Comparison

Parameters Miranda House Hansraj college Fergusson College
College overview Miranda House is one of the reputed colleges for women at the University of Delhi. It offers both bachelor's and master degree courses in Physical Sciences and. Life Sciences, etc Hansraj college is one of the best colleges affiliated with delhi university. The college offers various undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Established by the Deccan Education Society (DES) in 1885, Fergusson College is affiliated to the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).
Location Delhi Delhi Pune
Eligibility Graduation in Physics or equivalent B.Sc. with 50% from a recognized university. 10+2+3 Qualification in science
Admission Process Entrance Exam  Entrance Exam  Entrance Exam 
Average Annual Fee INR 16,170 INR 16,554 50,780
Average Annual Package  INR 6.6-8LPA INR 5-5.5 LPA 6-10LPA
Top recruiters Accenture, Facebook, Infosys, Capegemini, Grail Research, KPMG, etc Barclays, Infosys, Genpact, IBM, Accenture,Grail Research, etc Asian paints, Titan, NDTV, SONY India, OBEROIS group, Infosys, Genpact, etc

MSc Physics Top Colleges Admission Tips

To get into any top MSc physics colleges of JNU, Delhi University, BHU, etc a candidate should keep the following points in mind:

  • Every University has a minimum percentage requirement of minimum 50% and some universities go even higher upto 60-65%. So, a candidate must attain good marks in BSc to be eligible for this course.
  • In order to get admission to a good MSc Physics college, one needs to crack the entrances positively. Therefore, one needs to know that questions for MSc Physics entrance exams generally follow MCQ patterns. 

Check the table below to know some of the topics of the MSc Physics entrance exam syllabus.

Mathematical Methods Classical Mechanics
Thermodynamics Electrodynamics and Optics

The number of questions varies from 25 to 50 and the time allotted is around 3 hours. However, the questions asked are generally not straight questions and a great understanding of Physics needs to be applied to solve them.

  • Be it increasing your hold on the toughest topics of Physics, bruising the basic topics, solving mock and sample papers or to remain updated, do all the needful for cracking these exams.
  • Polish your personality for personal interview round to secure admission into any top college offering MSc Physics.

Stay up-to-date with the admission process, important dates and other relevant notices.

Important Links:

MSc Physics Distance Education in India

MSc Physics distance education is one of the popular courses pursued by students in India. This course can be pursued after the students are done with their regular bachelor’s course in science with a minimum of 50% marks from any recognized university. 

The following points are essential in order to pursue MSc Physics distance education:

  • The minimum duration of this course from distance is 2 years and the maximum duration is 5 years.
  • Admission to MSc Physics distance education is mainly offered on the basis of scores obtained at the graduation level.
  • The cost to pursue this course ranges from INR 12,000 to 60,000 on average annually .

Some of the colleges offering MSc Physics distance education are mentioned below.

College name Average Annual Fee (INR)
Annamalai university 11,800
Alagappa university 55,000
Madurai Kamaraj university 12,750

MSc Physics vs MSc Applied Physics Course Comparison

Parameters Miranda House Hansraj college Fergusson College
College overview Miranda House is one of the reputed colleges for women at the University of Delhi. It offers both bachelor and master degree courses in Physical Sciences and. Life Sciences, etc Hansraj college is one of the best colleges affiliated under delhi university. The college offers various undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Established by Deccan Education Society (DES) in 1885, Fergusson College is affiliated to the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU).
Location Delhi Delhi Pune
Eligibility Graduation in Physics or equivalent B.Sc. with 50% from a recognized university. 10+2+3 Qualification in science
Admission Process Entrance Exam  Entrance Exam  Entrance Exam 
Average Annual Fee INR 16,170 INR 16,554 50,780
Average Annual Package  INR 6.6-8LPA INR 5-5.5 LPA 6-10LPA
Top recruiters Accenture, Facebook, Infosys, Capegemini, Grail Research, KPMG, etc Barclays, Infosys, Genpact, IBM, Accenture,Grail Research, etc Asian paints, Titan, NDTV, SONY India, OBEROIS group, Infosys, Genpact, etc
Why Study?

MSc Physics Jobs and Scope in India

With a comprehensive knowledge of concepts in Physics, students with MSc Physics degrees can find employment in private as well as in the Government sector. Jobs are available in research labs, IT fields, the automobile industry and various government-owned Scientific Research and Development Organizations. 

According to the projection made by BLS, during 2012-2022 jobs for physicists would go up by 10%. Teaching profession is also open for these professionals.

Some of the major private companies have a large scope of employment for MSc Physics students are:

  • Maruti Udyog
  • Tech Mahindra
  • Infosys
  • Wipro
  • CTS

While in Government sector major recruiting organizations are:

  • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
  • Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
  • Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
  • National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
  • Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)

Various  MSc Physics Jobs and their description of above-listed companies are:

Job profile Job Description Average salary
Research Fellow A Junior research fellowship prepares the candidate to take on the role of a university professor. If the work of the junior research fellow is satisfactory, they are promoted to senior research fellow. 7 LPA
Research Scientist A research scientist is hired to carry out research in the said field and design and conduct experiments to make significant contributions to the study of physics. 10 LPA
Medical Physicists The job of the medical physicist involves the development of techniques and equipment that would be used by medical staff to diagnose illness and treat patients. 6.5 LPA
Radiation Physicist The prime job of the radiation physicist is to ensure the smooth functioning of medical devices which use radiation. 5 LPA
Research Associate They are professionals hired to carry out research and be a part of an ongoing research program within a research facility. 4 LPA
MSc Physics Salary Trends

Source: Payscale

MSc Physics scope has equal demands in the industry, Research and academic fields. Due to this reason, the future scope for this course is huge.

Even in the past few years, the demand for physicists has increased so much that the salary trend for physics graduates looks very optimistic. 

Among cities, Hyderabad had the highest salary hike of almost 25% for analytics professionals. However, the IT sector offers the best salary packages to job seekers. An average salary in this sector ranges between 3 lakhs to 7 lakhs for entry level candidates with a regular growth rate of 30% every year. 

Check the options available for higher studies after MSc Physics below:

  • M.Phil in Physics: M.Phil. in Physics is a pre-doctorate course that teaches and prepares students to work in the research industry for broader academic application.
  • Ph.D in Physics:  A Ph.D  in Physics includes 5 or 6 core courses, with research and dissertation on the core areas of physics like Matter Physics, High Energy Physics, Optics and Laser Physics, and Materials Science, and Electronic Science, etc.

In case students consider to study further the two above mentioned courses are the immediate options for higher studies.

MSc Physics: FAQs

Ques. Which is between IIT Delhi or DU better for MSc physics? 

Ans: Both Institutions are very reputed institutions, but IIT Delhi has better rankings than DU.

Ques. Can I study MSc Physics in IISc Bangalore?

Ans: Unfortunately, IISc Bangalore does not provide an MSc physics course. Instead of MSc physics, it provides integrated MSc PhD in Physics courses which can be pursued after completing BSc physics.

Ques.Which colleges in Delhi are best for studying MSc Physics?

Ans: Miranda House and Hindu College are two best colleges in Delhi for studying MSc Physics courses.

Ques. Should I go for MSc Physics or MSc Astrophysics?

Ans: This decision should be taken based on your future career preferences. Astrophysics will restrict you only to astronomical physics, but if you do an MSc physics course then you will be able to pursue astrophysics along with the other fields of Physics as well.

Ques.I am a B.Tech graduate but want to move to a science background. Am I eligible for the MSc Physics course?

Ans: Yes, many top universities, including the Delhi University and the IITs admit candidates with BTech degrees to MSc physics course.

Ques: What is the average cost to study MSc Physics?

Ans: The average cost to pursue this programme from any top MSc Physics colleges in India ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 2,50,000.

Ques: Is MSc Physics distance education available in India?

Ans: Annamalai University, Alagappa University and Madurai Kamaraj University are some of the universities offering the course from a distance.

Ques: What is the  MSc Physics scope ?

Ans: There are plenty of career opportunities available in various industries for these graduates and some of them is to become Junior Research Fellow, Research Scientist, Medical Physicist, Radiation Physicist, Research Associate, etc.

Master of Science [M.Sc] (Physics) : 32 answered questions

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Ques. How is Delhi university for an MSc in physics?

● Top Answer By Savi Sharma on 05 Jul 23

Ans. The Department of Physics and Astrophysics, Delhi University is one of the oldest and highly regarded departments of the institute. The faculty pool is actively involved in their own research work and encourages the students to do the same. researchers in their respective fields. This department has a plethora of experimental and theoretical studies.  Like every coin has two sides, this department has its own sets of weaknesses too. One of the main drawbacks is the high intake around 300. Thus high intake makes it difficult to get equal attention from teachers related to research, Ph.D. guidance, and seminars. It is also very challenging to organize any scientific or non-scientific programs because the batch size is very large and not every student can be convinced. The exams of this department are challenging and the limited resources make things more so.  If you are a sincere student who is ready to commit yourself to hard work and persistence you will excel here without any doubt.Read more
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Ques. Can I apply for an MSc in physics through a distance learning course from IGNOU after completing a BE in electronics?

● Top Answer By Shruti Jaiswal on 17 Oct 22

Ans. IGNOU offers an Integrated MSc in Physics, so you can pursue an Integrated MSc in Physics through IGNOU. Minimum Duration: 2 Years for an Integrated MSc in Physics Maximum Time: 3 Years Rs. 14,000 for the course Age Restrictions: The minimum age is 24 years. There is no upper age limit. Eligibility: To be eligible, the candidate must have a BSc in Mathematics/Physics. BE/BTech in Applied Physics/Radio Physics and Electronics/Computer Science Engg./Electronics Engg. Mechanical Engg, Instrumentation Engineering/Photonics/Applied Opto-electronics are also required. It is an Integrated MSc-PhD Programme in Physics and Astrophysics, which has been launched in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bangalore. After completing their MSc, students are given a stipend following DST guidelines. It is intended to provide students with a research orientation beginning at the post-baccalaureate level. The following broad research areas are being considered: the Sun and Solar System, Stellar Physics, Extragalactic Astronomy, Theoretical Astrophysics and related areas of Physics, and Instrumentation. A written test is used to select candidates, who are then interviewed. The session starts in July. The Program is delivered in both residential and face-to-face settings. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics offers an excellent hostel facility at a very low cost. Every student receives a book allowance of Rs 5000/- per year. Every student is assigned a mentor, who is a senior scientist. There will be a lateral exit option after my MSc. Those who receive at least 60% on their MSc exams will be eligible to pursue a Ph.D. The MSc program consists of 17 required courses and 2 electives. These classes are spread out over four semesters.Read more
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Ques. Which institute is better for M.Sc. Physics IIT Kanpur or IIT Madras?

● Top Answer By Raveesha Pandey on 30 Jul 21

Ans. Both IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras are excellent institutes for M.Sc in Physics, considering the student is actually interested in learning the subject to the core. The points below give a brief overview of IIT Madras, stating some of the advantages of choosing it over IIT Kanpur. ? Professors will help you to get involved in challenging projects during your course, with specializations in complex topics like cosmology, etc. ? The main motto of the faculties of IIT Madras is to build their students to at least a certain limit of knowledge, over anything else. ? Most of the professors have a solid foundation in advanced concepts of theoretical physics, for example, Prof. M V Satyanarayana, Prof. M Pattabiraman, Prof. V Balakrishnan, Prof. A Lakshminarayan, etc. ? Although the level of questions set during the exams at IIT Madras is always up to the mark, almost no students fail in the institute due to the teaching facilities offered throughout the year. ? Talking about the campus of IIT Madras, it is extremely beautiful, being close to the sea as well. Therefore, although both the institutes are equally excellent, IIT Madras can be a better option for students interested in Physics, considering the points listed above.Read more
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Ques. Between MSc physics at BITS Goa and MSc physics at BITS Hyderabad, which one should one choose?

● Top Answer By Anamika Pathak on 10 Aug 21

Ans. You should definitely go with BITS Goa. The physics faculty at the institute is really good and no one can reiterate this enough. If you happen to take courses like Mechanics and OScil, you will realize this in the first year itself. Moreover, the college festival, Waves, is a major highlight. Many discussions regarding the best departments in the college have always had synchronous replies with physics being the major answer. The faculty members are well versed in the field and are dedicated individuals. But if you are still confused, you must know that the curriculum and syllabus are the same on all three campuses. Your degree will finally specify that you graduated from BITS Pilani. Read more
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Ques. What is the standard of the Integrated M.Sc. in Physics at NIT Rourkela?

● Top Answer By Ashish Kumar on 14 Aug 23

Ans. Irrespective of the branch and curse you are getting, IITs and NITs have proved their value time and again through the innumerable opportunities and qualitative education they offer. Integrated MSc in Physics is a great option for all the Physics lovers out there. Here are a few key highlights pertaining to the program Students completing this course get a number of higher studies opportunities. The faculties are very cooperative and helpful. Their recommendations are very useful in grabbing the best opportunities abroad.  The standard of academics is average and students have to resort to self-study as the professors aren’t interested in teaching.  The placement scenario is great and the table below is proof of the same: Job Offers  17 Highest CTC INR 11.40 LPA Average CTC INR 5.97 LPA Median CTC INR 5 LPA Lowest CTC  INR 3.6 LPA Some of the top recruiters that have made decent offers to Integrated MSc students in the past include TCS, Mu Sigma, Aakash Institute, iBooks, etc. The final year is meant only for the research project so students can focus o pavement preparation or higher studies.  Overall. NIT Rourkela Integrated MSc in Physics is a great choice if you are interested in Physics and want to pursue an academic or research-oriented career in the same.Read more
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Ques. How should I prepare for my interview in IISc Bangalore for the Integrated PhD course in Physics? I appeared in JAM 2016.

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 17 Jul 23

Ans. I was interviewed at IISc Bangalore for an integrated Ph.D. in Physics. Once you get an interview call, your JAM marks or rank do not matter. You will give an interview to a panel of 5 to 6 professors, each one of whom will be an expert in their field. In the beginning,  you are asked about your UG studies and favorite topics in Physics. After this, you are asked questions and thoroughly examined.  Be very clear with the basics of Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Electrodynamics, and Mathematical Physics. You can be asked anything from them. Truncated Harmonic Oscillator and Finite Square Well are important topics that are routinely asked during a Physics interview.  You should accept it if you do not know about a topic or did not study it. This is because the panelists easily assess what you know and what you do not know. If you do not know a topic and the panelists are in a good mood, you will be asked to get into the ‘let’s figure out’ mode, else, they will move on to another topic. My interview experience at IISc Bangalore was quite good. I was not selected for the iPh.D. Physics program but the interview aided my growth and knowledge. I would recommend you enjoy the interview at IISc Bangalore and also give it well-prepared.  Read more
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Ques. Which one of these two is better for M.Sc in physics, IIEST Shibpur or NIT Durgapur? Are there any placements for M.Sc students at IIEST?

● Top Answer By Akriti Sinha on 16 Aug 22

Ans. NIT Durgapur will be better for an M.Sc Physics. The quality of academics and exposure offered is better than any of the non-tech institutes in the region. Most students prepare for competitive examinations like NET, GATE, JEST, BARC, ISRO, etc. NITD also has collaborations with many national institutes and research labs.  Yes, IIEST offers placements to MSc students. But the salary packages offered aren’t very high. Read more
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Ques. How is the Integrated M.Sc. course for Physics at NIT Rourkela?

● Top Answer By Tithi Aggrawal on 05 Sept 23

Ans. Integrated MSc Physics at NIT Rourkela is good enough, but make sure that you don’t select this institute if you have better options in hand. The main attraction of this institute is the course structure that allows time to excel in other essential courses like Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Mechanics. In addition, you can also study specialized electives like Advanced Quantum Mechanics, Advanced Condensed Matter Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, Nonlinear Optics, Magnetism, Semiconductors, etc. The faculty support and laboratory facilities are very poor. So, you need to rely on online classes from external sources to understand the concept properly. You also need to give more importance to self-study otherwise, you may end up futile here. If you have a passion for physics, then you can choose this collegeRead more
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Ques. How good is IIT Hyderabad for an MSc in Physics?

● Top Answer By Shruti Agarwal on 09 May 23

Ans. My brother had taken MSc in Physics because he was left with no other option but later realized it was the best decision of his life.  Being new, IIT Hyderabad has young and passionate faculty in contrast to old professors with old thinking at older IITs.  The lab equipment are latest and updated because IIT is new  You can take advantage of it being a new IIT by making your mark as a good researcher  There are many buses running to and fro the new campuses to enable easy transit  Ultimately, the final decision is yours to make. It’s good to refer to the website for more details regarding the program before making the final decision. Read more
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Ques. How much rank is necessary in IIT-JAM to get an interview call from IISc, IISER Pune and IISER Kolkata for Int-PhD in Physics?

● Top Answer By Raghubhir Singh on 25 Jan 22

Ans. Students who get admission for Int-PhD in Physics at institutes like IISc, IISER Pune, or IISER Kolkata score decent marks in IIT-JAM. You should have a rank under 300 if you want admission at IISc. The required cutoff for IISER Pune remains under 500. For IISER Kolkata, you will need a rank under 700.  Here is an interview experience shared by a senior researcher at IISERRead more
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