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, home to the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology and to 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

6th in the UK for Physics The Guardian University League Tables 2020

4th in the UK for Physics and Astronomy - Complete University Guide 2021

Joint 1st in the UK for internationally excellent and world-leading research impact (REF 2014)

4th in The Guardian University Guide 2020 and The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020

News

Durham Physics Department gains an 'Entrepreneur in Residence', in association with the Royal Society

Sixteen entrepreneurs, senior scientists and business leaders have been awarded a place on the Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence scheme for 2021. We are delighted to welcome Dr Rodger Sykes to the department here at Durham as a newly awarded Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.

Researchers from the Quantum Light and Matter section climb the ladder of rotational states

Researchers from the Quantum Light and Matter section in the department of physics have recently demonstrated the coherent manipulation of the internal rotational state of molecules cooled to within one-millionth of a degree of absolute zero.

Quantum Light and Matter section climb the ladder of rotational states image

Award for research that could revolutionise computing

As the world becomes ever more dependent on imaging, computers and communication, research by our physicists could help revolutionise how these technologies work.