MSc Medical Physics

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Glasgow

Program Overview

The MSc in Medical Physics trains you to apply physics directly within clinical and healthcare environments — from medical imaging to radiotherapy and nuclear medicine. It’s a great fit if you have a background in physics or a related science and want a career that blends analytical skill with improving patient care.

Curriculum Structure

Across the year, you’ll build a solid understanding of how radiation and imaging technologies work, while gaining practical skills used in clinical science.
You begin with core topics such as Radiation Physics in Imaging, The Physics of Medical Imaging, and Programming Skills for the Clinical Scientist, which give you the scientific foundation and computational skills needed in modern medical physics.
Later, you move into more applied study through modules like Body Systems Measurement and Imaging and Radiotherapy Physics, where you focus on using radiation and imaging techniques for diagnosis and treatment. The year concludes with a research dissertation in Medical Physics, often carried out alongside clinical or hospital-based teams.

Focus areas (string):
Medical imaging physics; Radiation physics and protection; Radiotherapy physics; Diagnostic imaging; Clinical measurement; Nuclear medicine.

Learning outcomes (string):
You’ll understand the scientific principles behind imaging and radiotherapy, develop hands-on competency with clinical measurement and instrumentation, strengthen your computational and data-analysis skills, and complete a research project grounded in real medical physics practice.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The MSc is accredited by the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), ensuring it meets UK professional training standards for future clinical scientists and medical physicists.

Reputation (employability rankings):
The University of Glasgow is consistently recognised as a leading UK institution with strong connections to hospitals and the wider healthcare sector, helping graduates progress into NHS roles, research positions and international clinical-science careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the biggest strengths of Glasgow’s MSc Medical Physics is how much real clinical exposure you get. The programme is closely connected to the local NHS Clinical Physics department, so you learn in environments that use the same technologies, workflows and safety standards found in modern hospitals. You’ll work with advanced imaging and radiotherapy equipment, interact with practising clinical scientists, and often carry out your dissertation within an actual NHS setting — giving you experience that feels genuinely “real-world” from the start.

To give you a clear picture of what this looks like in practice, here are the hands-on elements you’ll benefit from:

Access to a wide range of hospital-grade imaging systems, including MRI scanners (1.5T, 3T and 7T), PET and SPECT units, CT systems, interventional-radiology equipment, and radiotherapy linear accelerators.
Teaching delivered by NHS medical physicists who bring day-to-day clinical experience directly into your classes and practical sessions.
Practical activities and clinical-environment placements throughout the year, with many students completing their research dissertation inside an NHS department working on projects with real diagnostic or treatment relevance.
Training in data analysis, programming and statistical methods used in image processing, treatment planning and instrumentation development.
Exposure to a large regional NHS Clinical Physics & Bioengineering service, allowing you to observe and learn across areas such as diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, and radiation protection.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from Glasgow’s MSc Medical Physics often move into impactful roles within healthcare, research, and medical technology. Many step into positions such as clinical scientist/medical physicist, radiation protection specialist, medical imaging physicist, or researcher in healthcare technology or diagnostics. The programme prepares you with the scientific depth and clinical awareness needed to work confidently in environments where physics directly supports patient care.

Here’s how the University helps you move toward those roles:

You’ll have access to dedicated postgraduate career support, including guidance on NHS interviews, CV building, clinical-scientist training pathways, and employer networking events.
The degree is fully accredited by the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), which gives your qualification strong professional recognition in hospitals and clinical-science training schemes.
Because much of the teaching comes from practising NHS medical physicists, you build insight and connections that reflect real clinical practice — a major advantage when applying to healthcare roles.
The skills you develop — from imaging physics and radiotherapy to data analysis and instrumentation — are valued not only in the NHS but also in medical-technology companies, research labs, and safety/regulatory sectors.
Graduates have an excellent record of progressing into trainee clinical scientist posts, hospital-based roles, research groups, and PhD programmes.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, this MSc provides a strong platform for a PhD in medical physics, biomedical imaging, radiotherapy physics or related areas. Many students also move into formal clinical-scientist training routes, which lead to fully qualified roles in hospital medical physics departments.