Physics and Astronomy PhD

The wide range of expertise within the School of Physics and Astronomy enables the School to offer a variety of opportunities for higher degrees by research.

The School specialises in a wide range of research areas and postgraduate students are fully integrated into these areas.

We aim to offer a challenging and supportive environment, in which our students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in industry, research or academia. We have an established track record of research excellence and host world-class laboratories to support our wide range of research activities. Research in the School also involves worldwide collaborations and the use of leading-edge national and international facilities.

You will be supervised by a team of experts who will support your progress and help you to achieve your potential. You will be assigned a mentor from another research group who will act as your personal tutor.

Programme aims

To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in the academic world, industry or to pursue a variety of other opportunities in which a strong background in physics, astrophysics or computing is useful and important.

Distinctive features

• Research students take specialist academic courses and courses to develop their communication and personal skills.
• There is a full programme of seminars and the individual research groups hold regular meetings where members present new results and discuss their research in detail.
• There is an annual postgraduate conference and a research student poster competition.
• There are active collaborations with research groups overseas and regular attendance at major international conferences by staff and students.