Admission to our PhD programme (starting September 2025)
Interested in a PhD in Astrophysics? Our group has opportunities for PhD students, in several areas of our research programme, starting next year:
Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology | |
Gravitational Wave Astrophysics | |
Gravitational Wave Instrumentation | |
The range of the research undertaken by our PhD students can be seen from the following links:
- Recent research students and where they went after completing their degree
- Current research students and their projects
The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School’s commitment to promote diversity and equality, and to encourage better practice for all members of the community, whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented groups in physics and astronomy including, but not limited to, women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
We do not offer any research-based Masters' (MPhil) degrees.
How to Apply
To apply to our PhD programme, follow this link, then click on “Apply Now” in front of the relevant option (Program “PhD in Department of Physics and Astronomy” and Year “2025/2026”). You will have to enter an email address as your username. Please pick an address to which you will have access at least up to June next year. As part of your application, you will need to provide: an academic transcript, a CV, a personal statement highlighting your motivation for pursuing the PhD project and any relevant experience, and up to two letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by the application deadline). Make sure that you include the names of all proposed supervisors for the projects you are interested in. |
Studentships and Financial Aid
We admit two to three students (shared with the Solar and Stellar Physics group) from the UK per year, who are awarded fully-funded 3.5-year studentships funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). In addition, a few fully-funded studentships are made available from time to time by the School of Physics and Astronomy for students from the UK and EU: applications are considered for these along with the STFC studentships. We are now considering applications for September 2025. Candidates who complete their applications by 19 January, 2025, and ensure that reference letters are also uploaded by this date, will receive full consideration. We will continue to accept applications until all positions are filled. We welcome applications from students of any nationality. Overseas students are also encouraged to apply for suitable external funding, e.g., the Commonwealth scholarships. Other general advice for overseas students is available for external sites: e.g. FindaPhD .
|
Midlands Physics Alliance Graduate School (MPAGS)
During the first year at the University of Birmingham, PhD students are required to undertake a training programme which includes taught courses given as part of the Midlands Physics Alliance, involving lecturers and students from the Universities of Birmingham, Warwick and Nottingham. In addition to taught courses, this training programme involves assessed reading assigments under the guidance of experts at all three Universities, as well as courses on essential skills such as presentation skills, proposal writing skills, and an introduction to peer review. |
Required Qualifications
The normal minimum requirement for financial support for non-UK students is a first class MSc degree. For UK students, to obtain an STFC studentship, an upper second class (II:i) M.Sci. (four-year) degree or its equivalent is required. |
Further Enquiries:
You are advised to browse through the research pages of the Astrophysics and Space Research group and the School of Physics and Astronomy to ensure that you are interested in our research activities. For further queries please contact the School's PhD Co-ordinator, via E-mail at physics-dr [at] contacts.bham.ac.uk [contacts.bham.ac.uk] or via phone at 0121 414 4566, or directly members of staff supervising specific projects. |