I missed the PhD application deadline, what now? I missed the PhD application deadline (Physics), and apart from applying late, what can I do if I get no position and I have to wait another year? 

I would like to keep doing what I was doing for the Master thesis, and so spend a good amount of time staying in research somehow, so I won't feel like I'm wasting my time. Are there some alternative paths to follow?
Some universities will let you  take classes as an un-matriculated student. But you need some (personal) funding for this.

Some laboratories might hire you as a low level lab technician or assistant. This would give you some funding and a bit of experience. 

Either of the above can give you contacts that might be useful in the future. 

In the rarer case, you might be able to do both. Hire on at a university lab that also lets you take a few courses as a perk.