Subject overview
Physics and astronomy at Sussex was ranked in the top 5 in the UK in The Times Good University Guide 2013, in the top 10 in the UK in The Sunday Times University Guide 2012, 16th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2014 and 21st in the UK in The Complete University Guide 2014.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy was rated 12th nationally in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 95 per cent of our research was rated as internationally recognised, and 60 per cent was rated as internationally excellent or higher.
The Department is a founder member of SEPnet, the South East Physics Network of physics departments, which in 2008 received a joint award of £12.5 million to enhance collaboration in graduate teaching and research.
The Astronomy Centre carries out worldleading research in many branches of theoretical and observational astrophysics. Our particular focus is on the early universe, large-scale structure, the high-redshift universe, and galaxy formation and evolution.
Specialist facilities
Theoretical astronomers have access to massively parallel supercomputers in the UK (Durham and Cambridge) and overseas. We also have our own network of high-performance UNIX workstations and servers, and a departmental computer cluster.
The Astronomy Centre has an excellent record for obtaining observing time on STFC and other overseas telescopes, such as the Anglo-Australian Telescope and the telescopes on La Palma in the Canaries and on Hawaii. We have extensive involvement in satellite projects, especially in infrared and x-ray. The Centre is also involved with the 4m Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) in Chile.
Academic activities
Both MSc and PhD students are expected to contribute to the weekly informal seminars, and are encouraged to attend research seminars. PhD students have an opportunity to attend an international conference and give a paper on their specialist subject. Observational students normally make at least one observing trip to an overseas telescope each year.
Programmes
- PhD in Astronomy
- MPhil in Astronomy
Coursework
You are expected to study a selection of MSc modules to ensure that you receive a broad education in modern astronomy, as well as training in research skills.
Observational projects for PhD students are likely to involve the use of overseas telescopes, and theoretical projects may involve the use of supercomputers.
Entry requirements
- MPhil in Astronomy
-
UK entrance requirements
A first- or an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject: physics, astronomy or mathematics.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to column A in Overseas qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Additional admissions information
If you are a non-EEA student you must obtain clearance by the UK Government Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for this degree. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your university application to be considered and processed in time for you to apply for ATAS clearance and your Tier 4 visa.
- PhD in Astronomy
-
UK entrance requirements
A first- or an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject: physics, astronomy or mathematics.
Overseas entrance requirements
Please refer to column A in Overseas qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with not less than 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in the other sections. Internet TOEFL with 88 overall, with at least 20 in Listening, 20 in Reading, 22 in Speaking and 24 in Writing.
For more information, refer to English language requirements.
Additional admissions information
If you are a non-EEA student you must obtain clearance by the UK Government Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for this degree. Please ensure you allow sufficient time for your university application to be considered and processed in time for you to apply for ATAS clearance and your Tier 4 visa.
Visas and immigration
Find out more about Visas and immigration.
For more information about the admissions process at Sussex
For pre-application enquiries:
Student Recruitment Services
T +44 (0)1273 876787
E pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk
For post-application enquiries:
Postgraduate Admissions,
University of Sussex,
Sussex House, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
T +44 (0)1273 877773
F +44 (0)1273 678545
E pg.applicants@sussex.ac.uk
Related subjects
Fees and funding
Fees
- MPhil in Astronomy
-
Home UK/EU students: £3,9001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,9002
Overseas students: £16,20031 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
- PhD in Astronomy
-
Home UK/EU students: £3,9001
Channel Island and Isle of Man students: £3,9002
Overseas students: £16,20031 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
2 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
3 The fee shown is for the academic year 2013.
To find out about your fee status, living expenses and other costs, visit further financial information.
Funding
The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.
To find out more about funding and part-time work, visit further financial information.
Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for Postgraduate Study (2013)
Region: UK
Level: PG (taught), PG (research)
Application deadline: 1 October 2013
The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust are offering bursaries to Postgraduate students following any postgraduate degree courses in any subject.
Faculty interests
Our research focuses on extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology. Parts of our cosmology research are carried out within the Theoretical Particle Physics research group. Our faculty’s research interests are briefly described below. For more detailed information, visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
- Astronomy Centre
-
Dr Ilian Iliev uses supercomputer simulations to study the formation of large-scale cosmological structures, the cosmic dark ages and reionisation by the first stars.
Dr Antony Lewis works on theoretical and observational cosmology. He is involved with analysing data from the Planck Satellite.
Professor Andrew Liddle works on a range of topics in theoretical cosmology and dark energy. He is involved in the Planck Satellite and the Dark Energy Survey.
Dr Jon Loveday is an astronomer interested in observational cosmology, the nature of dark matter, and in galaxy formation. He participates in several world-leading optical and near-infrared galaxy surveys, including GAMA, SDSS, UKIDSS and VISTA.
Professor Seb Oliver is an astronomer researching the evolution of galaxies since the Big Bang. He undertakes surveys of the distant universe and leads the largest project on the Herschel mission.
Dr Kathy Romer is an observational cosmologist specialising in the detection and study of x-ray clusters of galaxies. She is the principal investigator of the international XMM Cluster Survey project.
Dr David Seery is a theoretical cosmologist working on the physics of the very early universe, and in particular the properties of the primordial density perturbation, which is believed to have seeded later structure formation.
Professor Peter Thomas uses supercomputer simulations to investigate the physics of galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
- Theoretical Particle Physics
-
Dr Xavier Calmet investigates physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics and in particular the Higgs sector.
Professor Mark Hindmarsh is a world expert on the physics of the early universe and looks at the dynamics of strings in cosmology.
Dr Stephan Huber works on early universe cosmology and particle physics beyond the Standard Model.
Dr Sebastian Jaeger’s research centres on indirect ways to find new particles via their virtual effects.
Dr Daniel Litim heads this group and is a world leader of renormalisation group approaches to fundamental interactions in quantum field theory.
Careers and perspectives
Our students acquire considerable skills in computing and data analysis, which they find an asset in obtaining employment after graduation. Many of our graduates go on to postdoctoral study and subsequent permanent academic positions. Other recent graduates have obtained jobs in finance, information technology and the NHS.
For more information, visit Careers and alumni.
School and contacts
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences brings together two outstanding and progressive departments – Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. It capitalises on the synergy between these subjects to deliver new and challenging opportunities for its students and faculty.
Physics and Astronomy, PG Admissions,
University of Sussex, Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9QH, UK
E phd@physics.sussex.ac.uk
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions
You’re welcome to attend one of our Discover Postgraduate Study information sessions. These are held in the spring and summer terms and enable you to find out more about postgraduate study and the opportunities Sussex has to offer.
Visit Discover Postgraduate study to book your place.
Other ways to visit Sussex
We run weekly guided campus tours every Wednesday afternoon, year round. Book a place online at Visit us and Open Days.
You are also welcome to visit the University independently without any pre-arrangement.