The Master 1 in Physics and Applications (M1PA) is the first year of a programme covering the major interdisciplinary fields of applied research and engineering sciences, as well as advanced instrumentation. In addition to fundamental theoretical teaching, a significant number of teaching units enable students to acquire experimental and digital expertise from the first year onwards
The theoretical and experimental teaching of the M1 Physics and Applications takes place between September and March. It is organised into several thematic tracks which allow students to pre-specialise in the first year of the Master's programme with a view to the M2 year. The thematic areas offered are as follows:
• Energy
• Nuclear Energy
• Medical Physics
• Condensed Matter and Nanosciences
• Instrumentation for Optics and Space
• Instrumentation - Large Instruments
• Physics and Environment
The programme includes a core curriculum (33 ECTS) and a wide range of options (21 ECTS) made possible by the exceptional scientific environment of the Orsay campus and, more broadly, the Saclay Plateau.
A compulsory internship in a laboratory or company, lasting a minimum of 8 weeks, completes the course and allows students to earn 6 ECTS credits.
Information
Skills
Use specialised knowledge of physics with the necessary scientific rigour. Master the tools of the physicist.
Objectives
The M1 Physics and Applications programme aims to provide students with a solid foundation in the major fields of physics and its interfaces with engineering sciences (energy, nuclear science, the environment, nanoscience, medical physics), as well as in cutting-edge instrumentation (optics, lasers, detectors and associated electronics, particle accelerator construction and instrumentation for astronomy).
The core curriculum corresponds to 33 ECTS credits. It includes fundamental instruction in optics and lasers, condensed matter physics and nuclear physics, supplemented by instruction in physics tools (Python programming, signal processing, detection chains, English). Several practical assignments are offered to illustrate fundamental concepts or in connection with the acquisition of tools for physicists. Depending on their thematic track, students choose options relevant to their course of study for a total of 21 ECTS credits.
The M1PA programme gives students access to a dozen M2 specialisations at Paris-Saclay University. Upon completion of the M1, career opportunities include engineer, project manager, researcher and associate professor in physics, medical physician, etc
Career Opportunities
Further Study Opportunities
Master of STePE and other Master of Earth Sciences
PhD
Engineering school
PhD thesis
Engineering, research and development
Master of applied physics
Master’s Degree in Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
Multidisciplinary Engineering School
Generalist Engineering School through Apprenticeship
Engineering Apprenticeship Program in Mechanical Engineering and Production
Engineering Apprenticeship Program in Materials and Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Apprenticeship Program in Energy Engineering
fields of statistical learning, artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis
In particular, this track prepares students for applied research activities, usually undertaken after a PhD, whether in academia or in R&D.
R&D researcher or data modelling and analysis expert in leading-edge companies or laboratories.
2nd year Master’s
Head of project/mission
Research officer
Calendar
Admission Route
Capacity
Available Places
Target Audience and Entry Requirements
Students admitted to the M1 Physics and Applications (M1PA) programme must hold a bachelor's degree in general physics or physics and chemistry. They must have a solid foundation in the following general physics subjects: electromagnetism, optics, quantum mechanics and statistical physics.
The M1PA enrols students who follow the standard curriculum and students who can complete a year of study abroad after establishing a course programme in consultation with the M1 programme coordinators. The programme occasionally welcomes research laboratory staff who are returning to study.
Application Period(s)
From 15/01/2026 to 16/03/2026
From 19/06/2026 to 25/06/2026
Supporting documents
Compulsory supporting documents
Motivation letter.
All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.
Curriculum Vitae.
Detailed description and hourly volume of courses taken since the beginning of the university program.
Additional supporting documents
Certificate of French (compulsory for non-French speakers).
VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).
Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traitement du signal | 4 | Semestre 1 | 14 | 10 | 10 | ||||||
| Optique et Lasers | 5 | Semestre 1 | 24 | 20 | |||||||
| Physique expérimentale S1 | 2 | Semestre 1 | 16 | ||||||||
| Physique Nucléaire | 5 | Semestre 1 | 24 | 20 | |||||||
| Anglais | 3 | Semestre 1 | 25 | ||||||||
| Mathématiques pour la Physique | 2 | Semestre 1 | 18 | ||||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matière Condensée | 5 | Semestre 2 | 24 | 20 | |||||||
| Chaîne de détection et mesure | 3 | Semestre 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | ||||||
| Physique expérimentale S2 | 4 | Semestre 2 | 32 | ||||||||
| Programmation Python et bases de l'IA | 3 | Semestre 2 | 10 | 24 | |||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UE à 6 ECTS | |||||||||||
| Projet informatique en physique médicale | 6 | Semestre 2 | |||||||||
| UE à 3 ECTS | |||||||||||
| Technologies de la transition énergétique | 3 | Semestre 2 | 14 | 7 | 4 | ||||||
| Systèmes et méthodes d'imagerie | 3 | Semestre 2 | 10 | 7.5 | 12 | ||||||
| Outils et indicateurs environnementaux | 3 | Semestre 2 | 18 | 9 | |||||||
| Optique avancée et optique non linéaire | 3 | Semestre 2 | 11 | 12.5 | 6 | ||||||
| Simulation et analyse numérique des systèmes physiques | 3 | Semestre 2 | 12 | 12 | |||||||
| Introduction à la gestion des risques | 3 | Semestre 2 | 24 | ||||||||
| Génie nucléaire – Processus stochastiques | 3 | Semestre 2 | 12.5 | 12.5 | |||||||
| Pollutions physiques et chimiques | 3 | Semestre 2 | 24 | ||||||||
| Fluides complexes et interfaces | 3 | Semestre 2 | 11 | 11 | 3 | ||||||
| Physique des semi-conducteurs | 3 | Semestre 2 | 12.5 | 12.5 | |||||||
| UE libre catalogue S1 et S2 | 2.5 | Semestre 2 | |||||||||
| Subjects | ECTS | Semester | Lecture | directed study | practical class | Lecture/directed study | Lecture/practical class | directed study/practical class | distance-learning course | Project | Supervised studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage | 6 | Semestre 2 | |||||||||
Teaching Location(s)
Training campus