Physics Research MPhil/PhD

Program Overview

---

Physics Research MPhil/PhD

Key information

Award: MPhil, PhD Study mode: Full time, Part time Duration: 3-4 years full time and 6-8 years part-time

Overview

We are an internationally renowned research-intensive department, with a strong record on external funding grants and publications and academic supervisors who are world-leading experts in cutting edge areas of physics. We welcome PhD students from all around the world to join our friendly and supportive community.

Physicists at King's are developing new ways to unlock biological mysteries and develop new medical technologies, working to understand how atoms and molecules at the nanoscale shape our macroscopic world, furthering advanced photonic and scanning probe techniques to create novel nanomaterials, and continuing Maxwell’s work in the unification of physics.

We have a wide range of research opportunities in the Department of Physics.

Research areas

• Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology
• Photonics and Nanotechnology
• Theory and Simulation of Condensed Matter
• Biological Physics and Soft Matter
• Experimental Particle & Astroparticle Physics

Partner organisations

We have strong links with industry, government and other academic institutions including CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research, which is one of the world's largest and most respected centres for scientific research, The Francis Crick Institute, one of the largest biomedical laboratories in Europe, and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory where pioneering work in areas such as particle physics, scientific computing, laser development, space research, and technology addresses some of the important challenges facing society.

There are also exciting opportunities to gain a joint PhD with Hong Kong University. More information can be found on the webpage Joint PhD Scholarships 2025/26 Please note the application deadline.

How to apply

1. Search our Research Groups to find your supervisor

There are two ways to apply. You can search our list of funded or non-funded projects or, you can approach a supervisor and present a speculative research proposal.

We are especially interested in receiving applications from students planning their research projects in fields that will enhance the strength of the Department’s research groups.

Explore our Research Groups to find relevant supervisors

2. Apply via the King's Apply Portal

Submit an online application via King's Apply.

For 'Programme Name', enter 'Physics Research MPhil/PhD (full-time) programme' and mention your intended supervisor, the research group and your project in the 'Research Proposal' section of the application form.

Application procedure

You should complete the application form and send all appropriate documentation as listed in the requirements. Ideally, you should indicate the research group and, if possible, names of potential supervisors. Your application is evaluated by the relevant research group or individual academic. Applicants may be interviewed, by telephone for those not based in the UK. We aim to notify you of the result within six-eight weeks of receipt of an application by the department.

The department accepts students for October, February and June entry, however applicants are strongly encouraged to start their degree at beginning of the academic year in October, when the College offers a full induction programme.

Please note an ATAS certificate is required for successful applicants applying for this course whose nationality is not listed under the exempt nationalities here. For further guidance on obtaining an ATAS certificate can be found on our International Student Advice pages.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Personal statement: A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages).
• Research Proposal: The proposal should explain in some detail precisely the field of study that you want to contribute to and current research gaps, what you want to do and how you propose to do it. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the following page.
• Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
• References: Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

Application closing date

We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process. In addition, if you receive an offer, this programme requires all non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (with some exceptions) to have an ATAS certificate before they can enrol at King’s, and this can take some time. We therefore advise applying as soon as possible to avoid any delay in obtaining this certificate.

Some projects and funding opportunities may have earlier deadlines than the listed college deadlines listed below, so please check carefully.

The final application deadlines are detailed below; on these dates, the programme will close at 23:59 (UK time) and we will open for the corresponding intake in 2026 soon after the same intake has passed in 2025.

• February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
• June 2025 entry – 20 March 2025 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2025 for Home fee status
• October 2025 entry – 25 July 2025 for Overseas fee status and 25 August 2025 for Home fee status
• February 2026 entry – 20 October 2025 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2025 for Home fee status
• June 2025 entry – 20 March 2026 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2026 for Home fee status

Fees or Funding

Funding opportunities

• List of funding opportunities
• King’s-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship programme (K-CSC)

Fees

• UK Tuition Fees 2024/25:
  • Full time tuition fees: £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)
  • Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year
• International Tuition Fees 2024/25:
  • Full time tuition fees: £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)
  • Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year
• UK Tuition Fees 2025/26:
  • Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)
  • Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year
• International Tuition Fees 2025/26:
  • Full time tuition fees: £32,400 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research)
  • Part time tuition fees: £16,200 per year

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

Study environment

Each of our research students is associated with a research group and supervised by a member of staff from this group. As part of this supervision, you will take part in a monitoring exercise every six months. Your supervisor will help you learn the techniques you may need and advise on training/courses to attend.

Our research groups enjoy strong collaborations with institutions around the world including Athens, Cambridge, CERN, Geneva, Imperial College, Jena, McGill, Nottingham, Oxford, University of Paris 6, Shanghai, Texas Tech, Trieste, Valencia, University College London and Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich.

We have excellent student facilities, there is very extensive online access to journals, an excellent study environment in the College Library and access to the CREATE High Performance Computing facility. Networking with other graduate students in the College is encouraged through the activities of the Graduate School.

Postgraduate training

Department and College induction events are scheduled at the beginning of your degree to prepare you for life as a PhD student. All students are required to complete 10 days of training each year.

There is a centrally provided programme of training coordinated by the King's Doctoral College and the NMES Graduate school offers a range of unique training for our students with a focus to support PhD research and the PhD journey. It also organises a variety of social and research events for students from hosting the NMES PGR Welcome event, Science walking tours, Winter and Summer social parties, Movie and board game nights, to Presentation and Writing coffee mornings, a space for students to present their research work to peers and receive feedback, and one of the highlights in the NMES PGR calendar is the Research Competition, where 3rd year students across all five departments present their research in a 3-minute video culminating in an in-person event where all finalist videos are viewed, and the winners receive their prize.

Research students are also encouraged to submit papers to conferences and are supported to present their papers and posters.

Our research students are also encouraged to teach alongside their studies to help prepare them for a potential future career in academia.

More about the Department of Physics

The Department has a distinguished history, with the study of Physics at King's College dating back to its foundation in 1829. The first Professor was Sir Charles Wheatstone, with other former professors including James Clerk Maxwell, who discovered the unified equations of electromagnetism while at King's, and four Nobel laureates. The seminal x-ray crystallography work by Wilkins and Franklin which led to the discovery of the structure of DNA, was performed in the Physics Department.

The Department today includes world-leading researchers who work across international and interdisciplinary partnerships encompassing biophysics, material science, nanotechnology and theoretical particle physics and cosmology. Research in theoretical physics and cosmology has a particular focus on the interdisciplinary area of astro-particle physics and on LHC phenomenology, with strong links to CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research.

In biophysics enjoys strong links with the Randall Division for Cell and Molecular Biophysics at King’s, and the molecular and the Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter group is part of the London-based Thomas Young Centre for Theory and Simulations of Materials.

Entry requirements

UK requirements

• Photonics and Nanotechnology: Minimum undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours in physics or a related subject.
• Biological Physics & Soft Matter: Minimum undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours in physics or a related subject.
• Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter: Minimum undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours in physics or a related subject.
• Theoretical Particle Physics & Cosmology: Master's degree with Distinction or high Merit in a relevant subject, and usually a Bachelor of Science with 1st class or higher 2:1 honours. Alternatively a four year MSci with 1st class honours is also acceptable.
• Experimental Particle & Astroparticle Physics: Minimum undergraduate degree with 2:1 honours in physics or a related subject.

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view the equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

English language band: D

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Research groups

• Physics Education Research: The Physics Education Research (PER) group at King's College London was formed in 2021. Our group conducts evidence-based research on the delivery and learning of physics, including the student experience.
• Biological Physics & Soft Matter: The Biological Physics and Soft Matter group aims to use bespoke technology and analytical methods borrowed from the Physical Sciences to address important fundamental questions in Biology.
• Photonics & Nanotechnology: The research in the group involves the development and applications of advanced photonic technologies and of novel nanomaterials to address modern challenges in photonic and quantum technologies, new nanostructured materials, sensing, imaging and clean energy.
• Theoretical Particle Physics & Cosmology: The research focus of the TPPC Group is on tests of new models of particle physics beyond the Standard Model, including supersymmetry, large extra dimensions and strings.
• Experimental Particle & Astroparticle Physics: The aim of the EPAP group is to address some of the major open questions in our understanding of matter through the study of the nature of fundamental particles
• Theory & Simulation of Condensed Matter: Research is focused on the theory of condensed matter, and in particular the development and application of advanced theoretical and modelling techniques suitable for the study of complex materials and molecular systems and processes.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Physics Research MPhil/PhD program provides students with the opportunity to conduct research in a wide range of areas within the Department of Physics.
The program is designed to help students develop their research skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Objectives: The program aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct independent research in physics, prepare them for a career in research or academia, and foster their development as independent and creative thinkers.
• Description: The program is full-time or part-time and typically takes 3-4 years to complete full-time and 6-8 years part-time.
The program is research-based, with students conducting their own research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. Students are also required to take coursework in relevant areas of physics.

---

Outline:

• Content: The program covers a wide range of topics in physics, including theoretical particle physics and cosmology, photonics and nanotechnology, theory and simulation of condensed matter, biological physics and soft matter, and experimental particle and astroparticle physics.
• Structure: The program consists of a research project, coursework, and a thesis.
The research project is the main focus of the program and accounts for the majority of the student's time. Coursework is typically completed in the first year of the program and provides students with the necessary background knowledge for their research. The thesis is a written document that summarizes the student's research findings.
• Individual Modules: Each module focuses on a specific area of physics and provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in that area.

---

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including written exams, oral exams, coursework assignments, and the thesis defense.
• Assessment Criteria: The assessment criteria for the program are based on the learning outcomes of the program.
Students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, their ability to conduct independent research, and their ability to communicate their findings effectively.

---

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and laboratory work.
• Faculty: The program is taught by a team of experienced and internationally renowned physicists.

---

Careers:

• Career Paths: The program prepares students for a variety of careers in research, academia, and industry.
• Career Opportunities: Graduates of the program are employed in a variety of positions, including research scientists, engineers, and university professors.
• Career Outcomes: The program has a strong track record of placing graduates in successful careers.

---

Other:

• Partnerships: The department has strong collaborations with other institutions around the world, including CERN, ETH Zurich, and the University of Hong Kong.
• Joint PhDs: The program offers the opportunity to pursue a joint PhD with the University of Hong Kong.
• Research Groups: The department is organized into five research groups: Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology, Photonics and Nanotechnology, Theory and Simulation of Condensed Matter, Biological Physics and Soft Matter, and Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics.
• Funding: There are a variety of funding opportunities available for students in the program.

---

UK Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research) £6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with University of Hong Kong) Part time tuition fees: £3,270 per year International Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £28 260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research) £28,260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with the University of Hong Kong) Part time tuition fees: £14,130 per year UK Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research) £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with University of Hong Kong) Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year International Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research) £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Physics Research with the University of Hong Kong) Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.