leah-cox

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Physics and Astrophysics research degrees

Postgraduate - Research

MSc by Thesis PhD

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PhD Scholarships

About our programmes

Physics offers a range of postgraduate study options at MSc by Thesis and PhD level, both full and part-time.

Our research broadly covers the following areas:

  • Lasers and their applications
  • Theory of condensed matter
  • Experimental solid-state physics
  • Astrophysics and gravitation

Research is funded from a range of sources, including the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Royal Society, as well as government and industrial establishments. Our work also benefits from strong interdisciplinary links within the university and with other groups at the national and the international level.

We have well-established links with a number of industrial companies and research centres with whom we conduct collaborative research.

Apply for research programmes in Physics

Research supervisors

Details

Open for admission in 2020/21

Full time Part time
MSc by Thesis 1 year* 2 years*
PhD 3 years* 5 years*

* plus writing-up time

Start in January, May or September

Get in touch

Admissions +44 (0)1482 466850 International Enquiries

Research

Theory of condensed matter

The research interests of the group span across a range of topics in condensed matter including hard matter (e.g., semiconductors), soft matter (e.g., polymers, colloids, surfactants etc.), surfaces and quantum technologies.

Semiconductor physics

We employ a unique mix of semiconductor theory and Monte-Carlo computation techniques to address issues in existing devices or develop new devices. Current research includes:

  • High field transport in gallium nitride transistors
  • On-going development of our Monte-Carlo code MC2
  • Design and development of THz emitters

Soft matter

Soft matter includes industrially and biologically important systems such as colloids, polymers and surfactants. The distinctive feature of all these systems is the presence of mesoscopic length-scales which necessitates the use of coarse-grained models to access the length and time scales of interest.

Surface science

Our work focuses on the:

  • Development and application of high-performance computing for quantum vibrational dynamics and properties of extended systems
  • Hydrogen-bonding and weak interactions in biological systems and nanostructures
  • Description of molecule-surface interactions

Quantum technology

Specific areas of research include:

  • Quantum transport
  • Quantum feedback control
  • Quantum information processing 
  • Quantum optics
  • Quantum criticality

Staff:

Experimental solid-state physics

Organophotonics

The University of Hull is renowned for its work on liquid crystals materials following its invention of the first room-temperature liquid crystal which heralded the advent of the multi-million dollar liquid crystal display technology. This interdisciplinary research continues this tradition and applies semiconducting liquid crystals to emerging application areas, such as organic light-emitting displays, solar cells and plastic electronics. We also have interests in plasmonic structures for enhanced light-emission and nano-photonics.

Nanophysics

Our projects include: 

  • molecular spintronics
  • lab-on-chip nanogap sensors for electronic detection of DNA and proteins
  • organic memristors for nonvolatile data storage
  • novel applications of conducting polymers
  • new methods of nanoscale engineering

Staff:

Lasers and light-matter interactions

The research interests of the group broadly cover the interaction of light with matter for scientific, industrial and medical applications. This primarily involves laser sources, meaning the group also studies the generation and delivery of high-intensity light. Below are some of the areas we’re currently involved in.

  • Laser-induced forward transfer
  • Analysis of laser-produced fume
  • Femtosecond laser interactions
  • VUV laser interactions
  • Enhancing light harvesting in organic solar cells (Daphne Jackson fellowship)

Staff:

Astrophysics and gravitation (E.A Milne Centre for Astrophysics)

From the Big Bang to black holes, and from quantum mechanics to the theory of everything, The E.A. Milne Centre’s world-leading experts pursue explanations for the wonders of the Universe and then share their awe-inspiring discoveries with students, schools and the public to ignite the passions of the Einsteins and Hawkings of tomorrow.

Solar and stellar physics

  • The magnetic sun
  • Stellar nucleosynthesis and cosmo-chemistry

Galaxy and galaxy-cluster physics

  • Galactic archaeology
  • Galaxy evolution
  • Galaxy clusters

Cosmological and high-energy physics

  • The early universe
  • Large-scale structures
  • String theory

Staff:

Related courses

The Postgraduate Training Scheme

It is now widely recognised by employers, professional bodies and research funding agencies that specialist expertise alone is not sufficient preparation either for research or a subsequent career. With this in mind, the University of Hull requires all its postgraduate research students to follow a research training programme relating both to their particular field of study and to generic skills; for example, information technology and communication skills.

Postgraduate Training Scheme

Fees and funding

  • Home: £4,407 (full-time) 
  • Home: £2,203 (part-time)
  • EU/International: £17,200 (full-time)

These fees are for all research degree programmes on this page. For courses lasting more than one year, small annual increases may apply. For more information, please visit the fees and funding page.

The standard length of a full-time PhD programme is three years, or five years part-time, plus 'writing-up'.

For full-time students, writing up typically takes about three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, writing up typically takes one year, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork.

There is a small continuation fee to be paid for the writing-up period. The continuation fee is partly reimbursed, if you submit in less than one year (full-time) or less than two years (part-time).

Doctoral Loan

UK and EU students who haven’t secured a scholarship can take out a Doctoral Loan to help with tuition fees and living costs. They provide up to £26,445 for full-time and part-time PhDs in all subject areas.

Additional costs

There are some extra costs that you may have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary:

  • Student visas (international students).
  • Books (you’ll have access to many books through the University library, but you may want to buy your own copies).
  • Optional conference/field/archive/library trips (Faculties support some travel and conference attendance financially. Details vary. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy your own).
  • Printing and photocopying (There is a printing allowance in place for all students, currently £20 a year. Some Faculties grant PGR students access to printing and photocopying as staff. Please check with the Department/School to which you are applying).
  • Professional-body membership.
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography).

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few. 

Some postgraduate research students may be asked to pay a bench fee in addition to the tuition fee to cover additional costs of their research project. If such a fee is levied for additional project-specific costs, not included in the tuition fee, you will receive further information during the application process.

For information about bursaries and how to fund your studies see our money page, or take a look at our PhD scholarships page for specific funded PhD opportunities.

The University’s Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS) provides a range of generic and discipline-specific modules to support research students through their programme.

Find out more

The library has an exclusive lounge for postgraduate research students and a dedicated Skills Team to provide a wide range of study and research skills help.

Find out more

The Doctoral College provides support to postgraduate research students. Offering skills development opportunities and dedicated facilities, the school is here to help you achieve your potential.

Find out more

Research at Hull tackles big challenges and makes an impact on lives globally, every day. Our current research portfolio spans everything from health to habitats, food to flooding and supply chain to slavery.

Find out more

Entry requirements

You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject.

Please contact your prospective supervisor in the first instance. Once a member of staff has agreed to supervise your research project in principle, please make a formal application.

International students

If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.