Skip to main content

Welcome to the Department of Physics at Durham

The Physics Department is a thriving centre for research and education.

We are proud that our Department closely aligns the teaching and learning experience for its students with the research-intensive values and practices of the University. Research-led teaching is embedded at all levels from first year laboratory reports to our final year MSci flagship individual research projects.

The Department incorporates the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, is home to the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology and the Institute for Computational Cosmology. The Ogden Centre is also the base for our innovative outreach programme for school children and their teachers.

A graphic showing an on-campus scene of students walking past the modern, glass-sided library building with the University's Physics and Astronomy Top 100 ranking emblazoned on it

Find out more about us
2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2024
3rd for Physics and Astronomy in the Complete University Guide 2024
96%
96% of our research outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
This is the image alt text

Just got your grades?

We look forward to welcoming you to Physics. Find out what to do next below.

Before you arrive Welcome and Induction

News

Winners of 2024 Physics Award for Excellence Announced

Congratulations to the winners of The 2024 Physics Award for Excellence this year’s winners are -
Stocki image of a winners trophy and confetti

Durham joins cutting-edge astronomical project BlackGEM

We have become part of an incredible space project called BlackGEM. This partnership grants us access to advanced telescope array in Chile, boosting research and educational opportunities.
BlackGEM project signing ceremony

Higher Education Minister visits Ukrainian summer camp at Durham University

The UK’s Higher Education Minister has visited Durham University to show her support for an education and recreation summer camp for Ukrainian young people. Baroness (Jacqui) Smith visited the University’s Physics Department to meet young participants in a three-week residential summer school organised by the charity fund Tomorrow, UAPhysicsOnline and OneUkraine gGmbH (CORRECT) and in coordination with Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Jacqui Smith watches as Ukrainian summer school students demonstate a Physics experiment

Art-Science Collaboration on Apocalyptic Space Threats

On 23 June, Durham academics Dr Richard Wilman (Physics) and Dr Nikita Chiu (Responsible Space Innovation Centre) participated in a public panel discussion on cosmic endings and space-based threats. The event was organised by Heidelberg University's Centre for Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic Studies (CAPAS) and took place after a performance of the astronomically-inspired opera “Collision”.
Richard Wilman in discussion in theatre

CfAI Head of Optical Design gives award winning talk at the SPIE Astronomical Telescopes & Instrumentation Conference in Japan

Ariadna Calcines Rosario, Head of Optical Design at Durham’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI), has received the Award to the Best Oral Presentation of the over 100 given at the SPIE Astronomical Telescopes & Instrumentation Conference in Yokohama, Japan.
Ariadna best talk award

Durham University physicists play key part in UK’s quantum future

We’re playing a key part in the UK’s drive to develop quantum technology to benefit a wide range of areas including healthcare, computing and security.
A laser beam being directed through mirrors in a laboratory

Dr Alex Guttridge awarded prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship

Dr Alex Guttridge has been awarded a prestigious Royal Society University Research Fellowship. The Fellowship enables Dr Guttridge to research the topic of programmable assembly of ultracold molecules in optical lattices.
Photo of Dr Alex Guttridge smiling at camera next to an optics bench

Breaking barriers: embracing neurodiversity in neutron and muon science

“Diversity of thought benefits everyone, but when the focus is on the short-term costs of making changes, disabled people are often deterred from asking for what they need.”
Photo courtesy: Science and Technology Facilities Council)

New image shows galaxies are bigger than we thought

We’re part of an international team of astronomers who have been able to take a photograph of the halo of gas around a galaxy for the first time.
A spiral galaxy at the centre of the picture surrounded by purple and blue gas, against a starry backdrop

International Masterclass on Particle Physics

On March 22, Durham University's Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) hosted the International Masterclass on Particle Physics—a hands-on event where high school students analysed real data from the Minerva neutrino detector. Over one hundred students from six local high schools—Durham Johnston, Durham Sixth Form, Newcastle High School for Girls, Thirsk School and Sixth Form, Wellfield Academy, and Sunderland Sixth Form—participated in the event.
International Masterclass on Particle Physics

How medieval chroniclers interpreted solar eclipses and other celestial events

The evolution of technology has allowed scientists to analyse celestial events in much greater detail. Medieval chroniclers didn’t have that luxury but Giles Gasper in our History department and Brian Tanner in our Physics department say that doesn’t mean there isn’t lots we can learn from the ways in which they talked about these events and understood the universe.
Stars in the solar system depicting a celestial event

Durham Physicists receive funding for EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fusion Power, making fusion energy commerical and meeting net zero goals

Researchers in the Physics Department at Durham University will receive funding for the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Fusion Power from the UK’s biggest-ever investment in engineering and physical sciences doctoral skills.
3D Render fusion reactor nuclear fusion, tokamak inside heated plasma, toroidal shape, clean energy

 

Study with us

Undergraduate study

Find out more about our BSc and MPhys courses.

Students in labs peering into microscope

Postgraduate study

Discover more about our taught courses and research degrees.

Postgrad study button pic

Our research

We are one of the top Physics Departments in the UK for research, as recognised in repeated assessments and league tables.

According to REF2014, 100% of our research impact and 94.2% of our research outputs were judged to be internationally excellent.
Find out more
Cosmic Ray Cosmo Simulation
This is the image alt text

Look Closer at the Faculty of Science

Whether it’s our world-leading research that seeks to empower and inspire, our commitment to educational excellence across eight academic departments, or our focus on the next generation of scientists through our ground breaking science outreach and engagement. We push forward, break down barriers, asking the big questions and getting answers. Watch our short video to find out why there’s more to science at Durham than meets the eye.

Find out about the Faculty of Science

 

This is the image alt text

Open Days & Visits

We can offer personal tours of the Physics Department by arrangement, in addition to the University’s standard open day offerings. to discuss a department tour, please see ‘Arrange a personal tour’ below.

Undergraduate open days Postgraduate open days

Experience Durham by arranging a personal tour

Arrange to have a personal tour of our department buildings and facilities, meet departmental staff and get a feel for what it would be like to study here.

Arrange a personal tour

Find us on social media

Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages

 

Student updates

What it's been like studying Physics

3rd year Physics student Jack reflects on his studies during the pandemic

Physics Rochester Building

Day in the life of a 3rd year Physics student: My Industrial Project

Physics student Gabriel tells us about his Team Project module at Durham

Student pouring liquid nitrogen

Get in touch

Contact us to find out more about our department.

Department of Physics
Durham University
Lower Mountjoy
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
United Kingdom

Questions about studying here?

Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.

Your Durham prospectus

Order your personalised prospectus and College guide here.