Department of Physics

We are one of the UK's top Physics departments and have a reputation for high-quality teaching, driven by outstanding research, performed in an inclusive and welcoming community.

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.

Find out more about us

2nd in the UK for Physics The Guardian University Guide 2023

6th in the UK for Physics and Astronomy - Complete University Guide 2023

96% of our research outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

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Before you arrive Welcome and Induction

News

Spin out company Kromek raises £15m in flotation

A Durham University spin out company specialising in digital colour x-ray imaging has been attracting the attention of investors worldwide after its shares began trading on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s international market for growing companies. Kromek raised £15m to help fund expansion and future growth in a successful, oversubscribed, flotation on 16 October that valued the company at £55m.

Queen’s Award for Durham University academic

A Durham University academic has been awarded The Queen's Award For Enterprise Promotion, the UK's highest accolade for business success, for his work in promoting enterprise and business in the North East. The award to Professor Brian Tanner, Professor of Physics & Dean of Knowledge Transfer at Durham University, recognises his involvement in enterprise promotion over 30 years, nationally and internationally.

Durham researchers named among world’s best

Three of our professors have been named among the world’s best for the quality and influence of their research, highlighting the global strength of Durham’s research.