Master in Physics at University of Catania
Two-year English-taught MSc in Physics (LM-17) at the University of Catania, with curricula from applied physics and astrophysics to quantum technologies and theoretical physics. Entry needs a recent physics and maths degree with quantum mechanics and English at B2.
Master
2 years
Catania
English
University of Catania
Physics is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-17) taught in English at the University of Catania in Sicily. Non-EU applicants need a bachelor's of at least three years from the last six years, with physics, maths and an introductory quantum mechanics course, plus English at B2 such as IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 80. Non-EU students living abroad pay a single all-inclusive yearly charge, and the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
Detailed entry requirements
Catania's Physics master asks non-EU applicants living abroad for a bachelor's of at least three years obtained no more than six years earlier, a background in physics and maths that includes introductory quantum mechanics, English at B2, and at least 50 out of 100 in the committee's ranking. Reviewed 8 October 2026. [1]
Degree requirement
You need a first-level degree or higher, obtained abroad, that lasts at least three years and gives access to master's study in the country where it was awarded. [1] For Physics, the degree must have been obtained no more than six years before, and you need: [1]
- An adequate academic background in physics and mathematics
- At least one introductory course in quantum mechanics
Final-year students can apply if they graduate by 31 July 2026. The call does not set minimum credit numbers or a minimum grade. [1]
What this means for your transcript
The committee reads your transcript and the official syllabi of your courses, not just the name of your degree. As a guide, based on the rule above:
- Usually a fit: a B.Sc. in Physics, or a B.Sc. with physics and maths as main subjects, that includes a quantum mechanics paper and was awarded in the last six years.
- Check carefully: a B.Tech or B.E. in Engineering Physics or Electronics, or a B.Sc. in Mathematics or Chemistry with physics as a subsidiary subject, where the quantum mechanics course decides the fit. A degree awarded more than six years ago also falls outside the rule.
- Often short: a B.Tech in Mechanical or Civil Engineering, a BCA or a B.Com, which rarely include an introductory quantum mechanics course.
English
English at B2 or higher, shown by one of: [1]
- IELTS overall 5.5 or higher
- TOEFL 80 or higher
- Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) or higher
- A statement from the university that awarded your bachelor's or master's that its official language was English
- Citizenship of an English-speaking country
Selection and ranking
A committee of at least three lecturers checks your file and scores it out of 100. You need at least 50 to be eligible, and ties go to the younger candidate. The committee may ask for an online interview or test. [1]
- Academic CV: up to 50 points
- Relevance of your previous studies: up to 40 points
- Reference letter: up to 5 points
- Motivation: up to 5 points
2026/27 deadlines
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied on the university's Smartedu portal from 10 February 2026 (12:00) to 17 March 2026 (23:59), Italian time. Rankings were due by 6 May 2026. [1]
Final-year students could apply if they graduated by 31 July 2026. Admitted students had 15 days from the admission notice to confirm their place. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
Documents and non-EU steps
The application needs: [1]
- Passport pages with your personal details
- Degree certificate, or an enrolment certificate showing your expected graduation date
- Transcript with exams, marks, the grading scale and, where possible, your GPA
- Official syllabi of every course in your degree, on your university's letterhead or stamped by it
- A reference letter written for this application, preferably by a university lecturer
- A Europass CV in English, your English certificate and a motivation letter in English of up to 4,000 characters
- A signed summary form, plus any other useful documents, such as a declaration of value or statement of comparability
Documents not in Italian or English need an official translation. After you confirm your place, you receive an admission letter for Universitaly pre-enrolment, which is needed for the study visa. Admitted students who confirmed and applied through Universitaly, but whose visa came too late, can ask to enrol in the following year without applying again. [1]
On arrival in Catania you hand in your passport with the study visa, your Italian tax code, an ENIC-NARIC statement of comparability or declaration of value, and a copy of your residence permit application. [1]
Sources and verification
Checked by the ApplyAZ admissions team against the university's official documents listed below. Entry rules can change with each new call, and we re-check them before every application.
- University of Catania, International Relations Office. Public selection for the admission of non-EU students living abroad to English-taught Master's degree programmes, including Physics (class LM-17 R), academic year 2026/27. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
- University of Catania, Department of Physics and Astronomy Ettore Majorana. International Master of Science in Physics programme page, undated. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
About the programme
The International Master of Science in Physics is a two-year master's degree (class LM-17, 120 ECTS) run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy "Ettore Majorana" (DFA) of the University of Catania. It is taught in English in Catania and builds on a bachelor's in physics, taking you deeper into fundamental and specialist subfields, with related courses in mathematics and computer science.
It suits physics graduates who want a research career or a technical role that needs advanced physics, and who have already met quantum mechanics in their first degree.
What you will study
You choose a curriculum when you register and submit a study plan with its compulsory and optional units, plus electives from across the university. The five main curricula mirror the department's research lines: [2]
- Applied Physics
- Astrophysics
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Quantum Physics and Technologies of Matter
- Theoretical Physics
Units in the 2026/27 plan include Advanced Quantum Physics, Quantum Field Theory, General Relativity, Solid State Physics, Machine Learning for Physics, Superconducting Quantum Physics and Computation, Semiconductor Physics and Devices, Medical Physics, Cosmic Structure Formation, and laboratories in nuclear and particle physics, astrophysics, and materials and nanostructures.
How the programme is taught
Teaching mixes lectures, exercises and laboratory work, assessed through oral and written exams, practical tests and reports. The thesis carries 30 to 40 ECTS and may include time in companies, research groups or institutions in Italy or abroad. The first five curricula are run in close contact with research bodies and companies in the area, including INFN, INAF, CNR, INGV, ENEL and STMicroelectronics. The department also lists a sixth curriculum, Nuclear Phenomena and Their Applications (NUCPHYS), linked to a joint Erasmus Mundus master with universities in Spain and France. [2]
Career paths
The degree gives a solid base for research doctorates, second-level university masters and specialisation schools. In Catania it leads directly into the department's three PhD programmes: Physics; Materials Science and Nanotechnology; and Complex Systems in physics, social and economic sciences, biology and life sciences. The thesis period in companies and research institutions also helps graduates move into research and technical roles in public research bodies and industry.
Fees and scholarships
Catania sets a single all-inclusive yearly charge for non-EU students who apply from abroad, covering the university contribution, the regional tax and stamp duty. The five highest-ranked Physics applicants were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years, with the second year confirmed if they had passed at least 30 CFU by 15 October 2027. [1] ERSU Catania also runs scholarships based on merit and family income, and the degree can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
Physics applicants need a degree awarded no more than six years earlier, with a background in physics and maths that includes at least one introductory quantum mechanics course. Applications go through the university's Smartedu portal with your CV, reference letter, motivation letter, course syllabi and English certificate, and the committee scores files out of 100, with 50 needed to qualify. For 2026/27 the window ran from 10 February to 17 March 2026, and the 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
If admitted, you confirm your place within 15 days, complete Universitaly pre-enrolment with your admission letter and apply for a type D study visa. If the visa arrives too late, you can ask to enrol in the following year without applying again. [1]
How ApplyAZ helps
ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities. We can include this programme in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes that fit your profile, so your plan never rests on a single application.
For eligible students who start with us, a named person owns each stage, from A to Z:
- We check your transcript against Catania's entry rules for this programme.
- We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose.
- We prepare and submit your Smartedu application, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment.
- We help you declare your family income for reduced fees and file your ERSU Catania scholarship application at the right time and in the right format.
- We prepare your visa file.
With operations in all 20 Italian regions, we follow each region's scholarship rules and deadlines as they change. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa, so no one can promise an outcome. You pay in milestones, and every service you pay for is either delivered or its fee is refunded (terms apply).
Programmes at Italian public universities can be tuition-free for eligible students. Check if you are eligible and book a one-to-one consultation session with one of our Italy experts, or see how ApplyAZ works.
Questions and answers
What bachelor's degree do I need for Catania's Physics master?
A first-level degree of at least three years, or higher, obtained no more than six years before, with an adequate background in physics and maths that includes at least one introductory quantum mechanics course. [1]
Is there an entrance exam?
No fixed written exam. The committee scores your file out of 100: academic CV (50), relevance of your studies (40), reference letter (5) and motivation (5). You need 50 to qualify, and the committee may add an online interview or test. [1]
What English level is required? Do I need IELTS?
English at B2. Accepted proof is IELTS 5.5 overall, TOEFL 80, Cambridge FCE or higher, a statement from your university that your degree was taught in English, or citizenship of an English-speaking country. [1]
When is the deadline for non-EU students?
For 2026/27, non-EU applicants living abroad applied on the Smartedu portal from 10 February to 17 March 2026, and rankings were due by 6 May 2026. The 2027/28 call will set new dates. [1]
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if you graduate in time. For 2026/27, final-year students could apply if they graduated by 31 July 2026, uploading an enrolment certificate that shows the expected graduation date. [1]
I have a B.Tech in Engineering Physics or a B.Sc. in Mathematics. Can I apply?
Possibly. The call asks for a solid background in physics and maths with at least one introductory quantum mechanics course, judged from your transcript and course syllabi. Engineering Physics and Mathematics degrees vary on this, so we check your courses first. [1]
Which curricula can I choose?
Applied Physics, Astrophysics, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Quantum Physics and Technologies of Matter, and Theoretical Physics. The department also lists NUCPHYS, a curriculum linked to a joint Erasmus Mundus master with universities in Spain, France and Italy. [2]
How are the fees set?
Non-EU students living abroad pay a single all-inclusive yearly charge that covers the university contribution, the regional tax and stamp duty. The top five in each ranking were offered a university scholarship of €2,000 a year for two years. [1]
Can someone handle my whole application to Physics at Catania?
Yes. ApplyAZ, an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, checks your transcript against Catania's rules for this programme, handles the application and Universitaly pre-enrolment, helps you file the ERSU Catania scholarship application at the right time and in the right format, and prepares your visa file, for eligible students. Start by checking your eligibility.
I'm applying from India. What is the route into Physics?
A recognised Indian bachelor's of at least three years, such as a B.Sc. in Physics, can meet the rule if it was awarded within the last six years and covers physics, maths and an introductory quantum mechanics course. You also need English at B2, for example IELTS 5.5. The steps are the Smartedu application, the ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. [1] Indian students apply for the type D study visa at the Italian embassy or consulate that covers their state, such as New Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Is the route different from Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka?
No. The academic rules for Physics are the same whatever your nationality. Applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka follow the same steps as India: Smartedu application and ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for their country of residence. Read our guide for students in Dhaka.
I live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman or Bahrain. Where do I apply for the visa?
At the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the country where you legally live, after Universitaly pre-enrolment. The academic rules for Physics are the same whatever your nationality, and Gulf residents follow the same steps: Smartedu application and ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment. Read our guides for Dubai, Riyadh and Doha.
I studied or live in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. What is the route?
The academic rules for Physics are the same whatever your nationality, and your degree is assessed like any other foreign qualification. Non-EU applicants who live abroad follow the same route: Smartedu application and ranking, place confirmation and Universitaly pre-enrolment, then a type D study visa from the Italian mission for where they live. Read our guides for students in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
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