PhD in Physics
Join our rich and thriving academic community and deliver projects on key research areas in physics.
Start dates
January
April
July
September
(semester dates)
Meet us
Meet us online or on campus and find out more about postgraduate study at York.
Find out moreOur research community nurtures close to 150 research students, covering everything from nuclear physics and astrophysics to the physics of life. Join our rich and thriving academic community and deliver projects on key research areas in physics.
Your research
As a doctoral student, the focus of your work will be an independent research project.
Join one of our leading research groups, which brings together expertise in fields such as Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear Physics, Plasma and fusion science and technologies, and Quantum Communication.
Research projects
Our academics are working on a wide range of projects suitable for research students to join.
Funding
Explore Physics, Engineering and Technology funding for postgraduate researchers and wider postgraduate support.
Supervision
We encourage you to find out about our academics and get to know how their work and expertise fit with your research interests.
Research projects
Our academics are working on a wide range of projects suitable for research students to get involved with.
Training and support
Our research programmes combine training in specialist areas with wider scientific skills. We provide training which will equip you with skills in a wide range of research methods, supporting your growing expertise and enhancing your employability.
Alongside your research, taught modules will help you develop specialist skills and relate your project to developments in the field. You'll choose from a wide range of Masters and undergraduate modules in specialist areas to complement your research, such as:
You'll also take part in a transferable skills programme, covering soft and hard skills.
Course location
You will be based on Campus West. Most of your training and supervision meetings will take place here, though your research may take you further afield.
Entry requirements
You should have, or expect to obtain, an MPhys degree at 2:1 or above, or an MSc in Physics.
We will also consider applicants with a Masters in a closely related field, applicants who have relevant industry experience, and applicants with a BSc at 2:1 or above where sufficient relevant experience can be demonstrated.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must provide evidence of your ability.
Applying
Take a look at the supporting documents you may need for your application.
Find out more about how to apply.
Funded projects
If you are applying for an advertised research project, which gives full details of the project, you do not normally need to submit a research proposal but you must include the project name. You should contact the project leader, who may ask you to submit a research proposal.
Research proposals
If you are not applying for a particular research project, you should contact the member of the academic staff you wish to work with, who may provide you with a research/project outline.
The research proposal needs to describe the nature of your proposed study and give some indication of how you will conduct your research. The purpose of this exercise is to ensure that you and your potential supervisor(s) have matching research interests. The proposal should be 250 to 350 words in length. It must be in English, and be in your own words.
Careers and skills
Your PhD will help to extend your qualifications by training you to complete research in a specific area of experimental, computational or theoretical physics. You will become equipped with transferable skills around creativity and innovation, mathematics and problem solving to become an expert in your field, prepared for the next stage in your career.
Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.
Career opportunities
- Physicist
- Software developer
- Principal data scientist
- Product engineer
- Academic researcher
- Lecturer or teacher
Discover York
Accommodation
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.
Why York
Discover more about our researchers, facilities and why York is the perfect choice for your research degree.
York Graduate Research
Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.