Overview
The Department of Physics provides an academically stimulating and supportive environment for doctoral researchers. We are an international community of academic staff and students, active in cutting-edge research and industry engagement.
We are a research intensive Physics department, best known for our leading contribution to diverse fields of condensed matter physics.
Building on our traditional strengths in fundamental physics we address the UK Grand Challenges. Our most significant contributions and innovations are in the areas of 2D and van der Waals materials, novel devices for energy harvesting, spintronics, high-frequency electronics, novel computing approaches and artificial intelligence.
Our research strengths lie particularly within the areas of condensed matter and materials, with a good balance between theory and experiment.
Research School of Materials
The Department of Physics is also part of the research infrastructure of the Research School of Materials, which covers several departments. All of these departments have access to an extensive range of research equipment.
Research specialisation
The department specialises in theoretical and experimental condensed matter physics and nanoscience. Areas of applied physics include cardiovascular dynamics, neural networks, drug delivery physics, population dynamics and psychoacoustics. Work is also ongoing to investigate Terahertz radiation.
The recent growing interest in terahertz science and technology is due to its many important applications in physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, and medicine, including THz imaging, spectroscopy, tomography, medical diagnosis, health monitoring, environmental control, as well as chemical and biological identification. The department is also conducting ground breaking work in quantum computing and spintronics.
Why you should choose us
Where you'll study
The department is based on the west side of campus and boasts excellent teaching and research facilities, including recently refurbished laboratories for physics and engineering.
In addition, the University’s £17 million STEMLab facility includes a state-of-the-art physical sciences laboratory, designed for physics students to explore the fundamentals of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum phenomena, waves, solid state and thermal physics.
It also includes a physics and optics laboratory, allowing for the practical examination of optics and the behaviour of light, electromagnetism, thermodynamics and mechanics.
We also have a departmental observatory, featuring a 16-inch equatorially-mounted Meade telescope, 8inch GPS mobile optical telescope, Coronado solar telescope, and an Elliot Instruments spectrometer.
Our research
Impactful research is central to the culture of our Physics department with many of our staff actively engaged in both theoretical and applied research, industry projects, and working closely not only with colleagues across the University's science and engineering departments, but with collaborators across the globe.
Being an expanding Department of Physics, we have implemented a structure of flexible/mobile interacting research groups.
- Condensed matter and materials physics
- Medical and biological physics
- Quantum and complexity physics
Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Condensed matter and materials physics is the branch of physics that studies the properties of the large collections of atoms that compose both natural and synthetic materials. This branch of physics has many practical applications and is currently producing many advances in fundamental physics.
Research taking place at Loughborough includes:
- Theory of strongly correlated electron systems
- Neuromorphic devices
- High-frequency solid-state physics
- Two-dimensional and van der Waals systems
Medical and Biological Physics
Physical processes govern all aspects of life in the universe, including life itself. This theme is interdisciplinary, physicists within the department collaborate with mathematicians, biologists, chemists, clinicians and more to improve our understanding of the behaviour of living organisms and to improve patient care with novel technologies.
Our research includes:
- Modelling for medicine and biology
- Ultra-sensitive superconducting magnetic sensors
- Portable gamma imaging for nuclear medicine
- Soft matter systems
Quantum and Complexity Physics
Physics has the tools for investigating extremely complex systems, finding their most general properties and making detailed predictions about their behaviour. This creates the grounds for both the development of future technologies, and the understanding of most complicated natural phenomena.
Complexity physics
The Department has a long-standing expertise in modelling complex (chaotic and stochastic) dynamical phenomena in solid state and condensed matter physics, economy (econophysics), human behaviour (psychophysics), complex network dynamics, brain physics, artificial intelligence among many other mathematically challenging phenomena. We have an ongoing collaboration with the Loughborough School of Business and Economics on modelling price dynamics and collective behaviour of economic agents, with School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and Salk Institute for Biological Studies on modelling physiological and psychophysical experiments and now working on extending our research towards geological, populational, ecological, and environmental research.
Quantum engineering
The fabrication and control of macroscopic artificial quantum coherent structures, such as quantum bits (qubits), quantum computational devices and simulators, quantum sensors and quantum metamaterials, have achieved significant progress over the last 20 years. The fundamental impossibility of a direct modelling of such systems with classical means requires developing new approaches to their design, characterization, and optimization, which constitute an emerging discipline of quantum engineering. The development of this discipline will play the decisive role in the Second Quantum Revolution.
Our research groups are flexible and strongly engage in enhanced cross-communication and collaboration between the five Departments of the School, namely, between Physics, Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science and the Mathematics Education Centre. We have several Interdisciplinary Research Centres involving staff and PhD students from all five Science departments encouraging interdisciplinary research:
Centre for the Science of Materials
Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical Modelling
Interdisciplinary Science Centre from Laboratory to Fabrication (Lab2Fab)
Your development
Support from your supervisor
You will be assigned supervisors with expertise in the selected research area, as well as opportunities to consult other departmental academic staff if appropriate.
Skills and experience
A PhD programme will give you the opportunity to develop new and highly sought after skills which can set you up for a range of careers. It’s a chance to make a novel contribution to knowledge, to become a world expert in a particular field, and it can open a range of doors with different employers. You'll also enhance your interpersonal skills, such as networking and relationship building, which will be invaluable in your future career.
At Loughborough University you will become part of our Doctoral College and benefit from an extensive doctoral training programme, alongside our suite of activities designed to support you at every stage of the doctoral process. Links with other specialist support services across the University, such as the Careers Network, will give you access to help and advice and work with colleagues across academic schools to attract external funding to support doctoral study.
In addition to the University’s extensive training provision, we also provide departmental seminars and training courses to support your research, and students can develop their skills further by supporting undergraduate teaching through employment in teaching laboratories, computer classes or drop-in sessions.
Your future career
Graduates of the Department of Physics have gone on to pursue wide-ranging positions. Others have gone on to pursue further research or take up careers in academia.
Recent graduate destinations include:
- BAE Systems, Software Engineer
- MBDA, Physicist
- University of Warwick, Research Fellow
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (Nigeria), Lecturer
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
A 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) in physics or a related discipline.
Afghanistan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Masters | 95% | 85% | 70% |
Albania
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010) | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8 |
Algeria
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Argentina
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Argentina | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.0 |
Armenia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bakalavri Kochum | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Magistrosi Kochum | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Australia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Honours degree (AQF level 8) | First Class, 80% | Upper Second, 70%, H2A | Lower Second, 60%, 2B |
Ordinary degree - AQF Level 7 pass (mark 46 or 50) | High Distinction (80% or 85%) | Distinction (75% or 80%) | Distinction (70% or 75%) |
Austria
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Degree/ Diplomstudium / Magister degree | A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden | 60% or B or 3.0 (or 2) | 50% or C or 2.7 (or 3) |
Azerbaijan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bakalavr Diplomu | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 |
Diplomu (Specialist Diploma) | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Bahamas
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Degree from University of the West Indies only | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) | 2:2 (GPA 2.5) |
Bahrain
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Bangladesh
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
BUET or 'Good Private' University - 4 year degree | BUET - 1st (70%) / 3.5 | BUET - 2nd (60%) / 3.0 | BUET - 2nd (55%) / 2.75 |
Other universities - Masters (1-2 years) following a 3 or 4 year degree | 80% / 4.0 | 65% / 3.25 | 50% / 2.5 |
Belarus
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Specialist Diploma (5Yr) | 9 | 7 | 5 |
Belgium
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelor degree | Magna Cum Laude | Cum Laude | 60%/12 |
Licenciaat | 80% | 70% | 60% |
Licencie | 17 | 14 | 12 |
Belize
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Degree from University of the West Indies only | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) | 2:2 (GPA 2.5) |
Benin
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Maitrise | 18 | 15 or Bien | 12 or Assez Bien |
Bermuda
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Degree from University of the West Indies only | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) | 2:2 (GPA 2.5) |
Bolivia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private) | 85/78 | 75/66 | 67/55 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Botswana
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's degree | A or 80% | B or 70% | C or 60% |
Brazil
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
Brunei
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Brunei | First | Upper Second (60%/B/3.1) | Lower Second (50%/C/2.7) |
Bulgaria
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education) | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Cambodia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 years | 90% or 9 or 4.0 | 80% or 8 or 3.5 | 70% or 7 or 3.0 |
Cameroon
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce | 1st or 15 | 2:1 or 14 | 2:2 or 12.5 |
Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise or a 4 year Licence | 20 or GPA 3.7 | 20 or Bien (GPA 3.4) | 20 or Assez Bien (GPA 3.1) |
Canada
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0/percentage scale | 3.7/85% | 3.3/75% | 2.7/68% |
Out of 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
Out of 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Chile
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Grado de Licenciado / Título (Profesional) de [subject area] (4 years) | 6 | 5.5 | 5 |
China
Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:
First class (70%) | Mid 2:1 (65%) | 2:1 (60%) | Mid 2:2 (55%) | 2:2 (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shanghai Rank Top 250 | 85% | 81% | 80% | 78% | 77% |
Shanghai Rank 251-500 | 89% | 84% | 83% | 81% | 80% |
Shanghai Rank 501+ | 92% | 87% | 86% | 85% | 82% |
Affiliated colleges
The University will consider students from Affiliated Colleges in the following way:
Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities in the top 250 Shanghai rankings will considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-84%.
Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are 251-500 in the Shanghai rankings will considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 82%-87%.
Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are above 500 in the Shanghai rankings will considered as follows:
- School of Business and Economics: not considered
- All other programmes if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 82%-87%.
Universities given special consideration
Applicants from a small number of Chinese universities that specialise in business, management, finance or creative arts will be given special consideration by the University. The full list of these universities and the Shanghai band under which they will be considered can be found in the PDF below.
Download the list of Chinese universities given special consideration here
Colombia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 4.5 | 3.75 | 3.2 |
Costa Rica
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licenciado | 9 | 8 or 80 | 7 or 75 |
Croatia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.0 |
Cuba
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Cyprus
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Cyprus | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
Czech Republic
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr | 1 | 1.5 | 2 |
Denmark
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale) | 12 | 10 | 7 |
Dominican Republic
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 year Licenciado | 3.8 | Magna Cum Laude 3.5 | Cum Laude 3.2 |
Título de [subject area] | - | 85% | 82% |
Ecuador
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Título de Licenciado | 8.5 | 8 | 7 |
Título de [subject area] | 85% | 80% | 70% |
Egypt
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Egypt | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 |
Universities only | BA 90%, BSc 85% | BA 80%, BSc 75% | BA 65%, BSc 65% |
El Salvador
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
5 year Licenciado | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
Título de Ingeniero | 85% | 75% | 65% |
Arquitecto | - | Muy Bueno | Bueno |
Estonia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad | 5 or A | 4 or B | 3 or C |
Ethiopia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's | A/GPA 4.0 | A/GPA 3.5 | B/GPA 2.8 |
Finland
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Kandidaattii/Kandidat (out of 3) | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Maisteri/Magister (out of 5) | 4.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
France
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur | 14 | 13 | 11 |
Georgia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4-year degree (% = new system) | 5 (95%) | 4.5 (85%) | 4 (75%) |
Germany
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
Ghana
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Ghana | First | Upper second/60% | Lower second/50% |
Greece
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Universities | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6 |
TEI and non-University Institutions | 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 |
Grenada
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Degree from University of West Indies - classification | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Degree from University of West Indies - grade / percentage | A | B / 75% | C / 55% |
Degree from University of West Indies - GPA | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Guatemala
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4years | 90% (public university) / 95% (private university) | 80% (public university) / 85% (private university) | 60% (public university) / 70% (private university) |
Guyana
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's | GPA 4 | GPA 3.5 | 3.0 |
Honduras
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5 | GPA 5 or 90% | GPA 4 or 80% | GPA 3.5 or 70% |
Hong Kong
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
Hungary
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Iceland
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
India
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Institutions listed on the Indian Ranking of Higher Educational Institutions Framework |
65% (First) | 60% (First) | 55% (Upper second) |
All other Indian institutions | 70% (First with distinction) | 65% (First) | 60% (First) |
Indonesia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Sarjana I (S1) from A (or B) credited Universities | 3.7 (4.0) | 3.3 (3.7) | 3 (3.3) |
Iran
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Iran | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Iraq
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Iraq | 80% | 75% | 70% |
Ireland
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Republic of Ireland | First (70%) | Upper second (60%) | Lower second (50%) |
Israel
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
3 yr Bachelor Degree | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Italy
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diploma di Laurea | 109/110 | 104/110 (or 27) | 100/110 (or 26) |
Ivory Coast
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures | 16 | 14 (Bien) | 12 (Assez Bien) |
Jamaica
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) or B | 2:2 (GPA 2.0) or C |
Japan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Japan | 85% | 80% or B or 3.0 | 70% or C or 2.0 |
Jordan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3 or 3.5/5 or 75% | 2.8 or 65% |
Kazakhstan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 5.0/percentage scale | 4.5 or 90% | 4 or 85% | 3.5 or 80% |
GPA 4.33 scale | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.2 |
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3 |
Kenya
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Kenya | First / 70% / A | Upper second / 60% / B | Lower second / 50% / C |
Kosovo
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Kosovo | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Kuwait
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Latvia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Latvia | 9 | 7 | 6 |
Lebanon
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
American | 90% (3.5) | 80% (3.2) | 70% (2.8) |
French | 18 | 15 | 12 |
Liberia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's | 4.0 or 90% | 3.5 or 85% | 3 or 80% |
Libya
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine | 85 (3.6) | 75 (3.0) | 65 (2.5) |
Other bachelor's degree from a university | 90 (4.0) | 85% (3.6) | 75% (3.0) |
Lithuania
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Lithuania | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Macau
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Macau | 1st or GPA 3.7 | 2:1 or GPA 3.0 | 2:2 or GPA 2.5 |
Macedonia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Macedonia | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Malawi
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's only | MSc 75% | MSc 70% | MSc 65% |
Malaysia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Classification | First Class | 2.1 | 2.2 |
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Malta
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Malta | 1st (80%) | 2:1 (70%) | 2:2 (55%) |
Mauritius
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Mauritius | 1st or 70% | 2:1 or 60% | 2:2 or 50% |
Mexico
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Mexico | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Moldova
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate) | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Mongolia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) | 90% or 3.5 | 80% or GPA 3.2 | 70% or GPA 3.0 |
Morocco
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Morocco | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Mozambique
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 year Licenciatura | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Myanmar (Burma)
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
2 year Master's degree | 5 or 85% | 5 or 75% | 4.5 or 65% |
Namibia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Namibia | 80% or A | 70% or B | 60% or C |
Nepal
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's (after 3 year bachelor degree) | 90% or 3.9 GPA | 80% or 3.8 GPA | 65% or 3.3 GPA |
Netherlands
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Netherlands | 8 | 7 | 6 |
New Zealand
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8 | First (7.0) | Upper Second (6.0) | Lower Second (4.0) |
3 Year degree (360 credits) - Level 7 | A+ (9.0) | A- (7.0) | B+ (6.0) |
Nicaragua
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licenciatura (4 year) | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Nigeria
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
7 point Scale | 6 | 5 | 4 |
5 point scale | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
4 point scale | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
Norway
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Norway | A | B | C |
Oman
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
Pakistan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 option) | A- or GPA 3.7 | B or GPA 3.0 | C+ or GPA 2.6 |
2 or 3 year bachelor's plus Master's | First (60%) | Second (55%) | Second (50%) |
Palestine
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelor Degree | A / 90% / 3.7 | B+ / 85% / 3.3 | B / 80% / 3.0 |
Panama
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 91 (A) | 81 (B) | 71 (C) |
Papua New Guinea
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Papua New Guinea | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Paraguay
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 4.5 (85%) | 4 (80%) | 3.5 (75%) |
Peru
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Philippines
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE) | Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0 | Magna cum Laude 3.5 / 92% / 1.5 | Cum Laude 3.0 / 87%/ 2.0 |
Poland
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003) | 5 | 4.5 / 4+ | 4 |
Portugal
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Portugal | 18 | 16 | 14 |
Qatar
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Romania
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diploma de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Russia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Russia | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Rwanda
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits) | 1st, 16/20 (80%) | 2:1,14/20 (70%) | 2:2, 12/20 (60%) |
Saudi Arabia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
GPA 5.0 scale | 4.5 | 3.75 | 3.5 |
Senegal
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees | 16/20 or Tres Bien | 14/20 or Bien | 12/20 or Assez Bien |
Serbia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Sierra Leone
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Honours degree or masters | 1st (70%) | 2:1 (60% or B) | 2:2 (50% or C) |
Singapore
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Classification | First | Upper second | Lower second |
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.7 | 3.0 | 2.7 |
GPA 5.0 scale | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Slovakia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Slovakia | 1.5 or B | 2.0 or C | 2.5 or C/high D |
Slovenia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Slovenia | 9.5 | 8.5 | 7 |
South Africa
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Classification | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Percentage scale | 75-100% | 70-74% | 60-69% |
South Korea
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA out of 4.5 | 4.0 / A | 3.5 / B | 3.0 / C+ |
GPA out of 4.3 | 4.0 / A | 3.0 / B | 2.7 / C+ |
Spain
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto | 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 |
UCM grading | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
Sri Lanka
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree | 90%, GPA 3.70 | 80%, GPA 3.30 | 70%, GPA 3.0 |
Sudan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Sudan (North and South) | 1st or 70% or B+ | 2:1 or 66% | Mid 2:2 or 60% or B |
Sweden
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Sweden | - | Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 90 credits at VG | Overall grade of G with a minimum of 90 credits at G |
Switzerland
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Switzerland | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Syria
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
State universities 4 years of study | 80% | 70% | 60% |
Private universities 4 years of study | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Taiwan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Category 1 (4 year degree) | 80% | 75% | 70% |
Category 2 (4 year degree) | 85% | 80% | 75% |
Tajikistan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Tajikistan | - | 4.5 | 4 |
Tanzania
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Tanzania | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Thailand
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Trinidad and Tobago
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT | 1st or B+ or 70% | 2:1 or B or 65% | 2:2 or B- or 60% |
Tunisia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu | 16 (tres bien) | 14 (bien) | 11 (assez bien) |
Turkey
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
Turkmenistan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr | 5 | 4.5 | 4 |
Uganda
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Uganda | 1st or 4.4 | 2:1 or 3.8 | 2:2 or 3.0 |
Ukraine
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5) | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
United Arab Emirates
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.6 |
United States of America
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 |
Uruguay
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licenciado (4 year) | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Uzbekistan
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Bakalavr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma) | 90% or GPA 4.5 | 80% or GPA 4.0 | 70% or GPA 3.0 |
Venezuela
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year) | 18/20 or 8/9 | 16/20 or 7/9 | 14/20 or 6/9 |
Vietnam
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
10-point scale | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
4-point scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Zambia
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
Master's | A or 4.0 or 80% | B+, 3.5 or 70% | B or 3.0 or 60% |
Zimbabwe
First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
---|---|---|---|
3/4 year degree | 1st or 75% | 2:1 or 65% | 2:2 or 60% |
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
Fees and funding
UK fee
- Full-time degree per annum
- £4,500
International fee
- Full-time degree per annum
- £24,100
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
How to apply
Projects which have funding attached are advertised on our online prospectus.
For self-funded projects or those funded by third-party sponsors, you should give an indication of your general field of interest but are not advised to provide a detailed proposal.
If you can't find a suitable PhD project that fits your interests and experience from our advertised opportunities, you can submit a research proposal to the Department of Physics. You are advised to browse our research pages to see the areas of research we are involved with. You can then enquire directly to a particular member of staff and they will be happy to help you develop your research proposal. We also encourage you visit the Department to see our facilities and to meet our academic staff and research students.