Much of our research is carried out in collaboration with other leading universities and laboratories in Europe and worldwide, including CERN, the European Spallation Source, the National Physical Laboratory and high tech industry partners.

Strong funding support is provided by the leading national and international science funding agencies, including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Innovate UK, the European Commission and the Royal Society.

We also have joint PhD studentships with our research collaborations.

Research students in Physics join a lively research community and become fully involved in the research activities of the department, sharing their successes.

The main outcome of the degree is a piece of independent research presented in the form of a dissertation.

An Integrated Masters degree (MSci) qualification at 2:1 or equivalent in Physics, or a Masters of Science degree at Distinction level in Physics, is required for consideration.

Before applying we recommend securing a supervisor in order to apply for your research project.

We advise getting in touch with the Director of Postgraduate Education making an informal enquiry for your chosen research degree to inquire whether there is any other additional material they require you to submit in your application.

Candidates are not required to provide a detailed research proposal, instead a short statement explaining your reasons for choosing the research area and relevant experience, a CV and relevant transcripts should be provided within the applicationinstead.

Within the application please select one of the following research disciplines from the pathway list within the application form: Quantum Materials and Technology or Particle Physics and Astronomy

For Quantum Materials and Technology applicants, when submitting your application through our Applicant Portal, please also email the supervisor named on your application. They will then contact you regarding consideration of an application and the availability of studentship awards.

English language requirements

All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.

The scores we require

• IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
• Pearson Test of English: 67 overall. Writing 76 no other subscore lower than 59.
• Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
• TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
• Duolingo: 120 overall, 135 in Literacy, 135 in Production and no sub-score below 100.

Country-specific requirements

For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see here.

A PhD in Physics develops lifelong transferable skills that underpin any career, whether scientific, technological, managerial or unique.

Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £5,006

EU and International students tuition fee per year**: £26,400

Other essential costs***: -

…How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries. 

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2025/26.

* This figure is the fee for the academic year 2025/26 and is shown as a guide.Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.

** This figure is the fee for EU and international students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27.  

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for all students annually. For further information see fees and funding.

*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.