theoretical physics phd cambridge

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PhD in Physics

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The PhD in Physics is a full-time period of research which introduces or builds upon, research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are assigned a research supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and join a research group which might vary in size between a handful to many tens of individuals.

Although the supervisor is responsible for the progress of a student's research programme, the extent to which a postgraduate student is assisted by the supervisor or by other members of the group depends almost entirely on the structure and character of the group concerned. The research field is normally determined at entry, after consideration of the student's interests and the facilities available. The student, however, may work within a given field for a period of time before their personal topic is determined.

There is no requirement made by the University for postgraduate students to attend formal courses or lectures for the PhD. Postgraduate work is largely a matter of independent research and successful postgraduates require a high degree of self-motivation. Nevertheless, lectures and classes may be arranged, and students are expected to attend both seminars (delivered regularly by members of the University and by visiting scholars and industrialists) and external conferences. Postgraduate students are also expected to participate in the undergraduate teaching programme at some time whilst they are based at the Cavendish, in order to develop their teaching, demonstrating, outreach, organisational and person-management skills.

It is expected that postgraduate students will also take advantage of the multiple opportunities available for transferable skills training within the University during their period of research.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the research programme, students will have demonstrated:

• the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication;
• a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;
• the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
• a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry; and
• the development of a PhD thesis for examination that they can defend in an oral examination and, if successful, graduate with a PhD.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of physics, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024, easter 2025, funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

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PhD Admissions in High Energy Physics, General Relativity and Cosmology

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Information for External Applicants to the PhD

Every year DAMTP receives a large number of applications for PhD places in the High Energy Physics (HEP) and General Relativity & Cosmology (GR) research groups. In recent years the number of students admitted to these groups has fluctuated between eight and twelve depending on the number of available supervisors. There are typically over ten applicants for each available place.

In these subject areas, a large majority of successful applicants will have first taken   Part III of the Mathematical Tripos (MMath/MASt) . This is a one year graduate-level course offering lecture courses in a wide range of topics in mathematics and theoretical physics. For more information about Part III please see the   course webpage .

There are two reasons why most of our PhD students come through Part III. First, Part III provides the necessary preparation for research in theoretical physics at a level matched by only a few other courses worldwide. Starting PhD students are expected to have covered all the material in those Part III lecture courses which are most relevant to their research project. A description of the content of each Part III lecture course can be found in the   Guide to Courses .

Second, the Part III class typically provides fifty or so well-qualified applicants for the available PhD places. Many of these applicants were at or near the top of their undergraduate class at their previous university. Performance in Part III allows us to rank these candidates accurately. It is much harder for us to rank external applicants. For these reasons, if you are interested in doing a PhD in theoretical physics in Cambridge we would strongly encourage you to consider applying for Part III first.

Ultimately, the decision to accept any applicant as a PhD student is made by the faculty member who will become their supervisor. The HEP and GR groups cover research in a wide range of areas and the precise requirements of individual supervisors may vary. In particular, we continue to admit a few students (one or two per year) who have not taken Part III. These admissions are usually in areas which could be loosely described as being “less formal” such as lattice field theory, particle physics phenomenology and cosmology. Successful external applicants often have relevant research experience in one of these areas.

Deadlines and Offers

Applicants to the HEP and GR research groups should note that we anticipate making some offers to outstanding candidates in February/March – for full consideration you should submit your application to the Postgraduate Admissions Office by   15 December 2023   for full consideration   (this arrangement applies equally to UK, EU and Overseas applicants). These offers will be made on the basis of academic track record, and the applicant may also be invited to an interview and/or asked to sit a written admissions test. However, it is also expected that some of the PhD places in the HEP and GR groups may be offered in June once the Part III Mathematical Tripos results are available.

Current PhD opportunity (closes 15 December 2023):  Newnham-DAMTP PhD scholarship for Women

Please note that if you wish to be considered for funding from the   University Postgraduate Funding Competition   you must apply by the relevant date ( Gates US: 11 October 2023; all other funding: 4 January 2024 ).

More information about applying can be found on the   DAMTP PhD Opportunities webpage .

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