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 ranked 12th in the UK in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, and top in the South East. 95 per cent of our research was rated as internationally recognised or higher, and 60 per cent rated as internationally excellent or higher.
Our research lies at the forefront of fundamental physics, ranging from quantum information processing, quantum optics, and cold atom physics, through a programme of top-rated particle physics experiments, to the theoretical understanding of space, time and matter.
The Department has a truly international character, with collaborations in Europe, North America, South East Asia and Australia.
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.
Specialist facilities
A wide range of experimental facilities at Sussex, at national centres and at international laboratories is available to graduate students. The Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics research group at Sussex operates state-of-the-art laboratories for quantum information processing with trapped ions, photons and electrons. Our experimental facilities include a range of high-precision laser systems from infrared to ultraviolet, as well as miniature ion and atom chips for the controlled manipulation of quantum bits. Sussex is one of only two places in the world with the capability to manufacture the optical-fibre cavities needed for quantum networking.
Our postgraduate students have access to a range of computing facilities including the University’s high-performance computing service. Our research groups have dedicated unix-based computing systems, and access to national and international super-computer facilities. The Experimental Particle Physics group is part of a Grid Tier-2 node and benefits from access to the Grid’s distributed high-performance computing resources. We are currently refurbishing all of our research and teaching laboratories.
Academic activities
Both taught and research students are expected to attend research seminars, and to contribute to their group’s discussions of the latest journal papers. PhD students have an opportunity to attend an international conference and give a paper on their specialist subject. Many experimentalist PhD students also have the opportunity to travel to various other sites, such as the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in the French Alps, CERN in Geneva and SNOLAB in Canada. Most PhD students acquire considerable computing skills, which they find an asset in obtaining employment.
Programmes
- PhD in Physics
- MPhil in Physics
There are opportunities for graduate students in many areas of modern experimental and theoretical physics.
Coursework
Lecture modules form an essential part of your training. These are given by physics faculty members, assisted by research fellows and visiting members of faculty from various research institutions. In this way a very wide range of topics can be studied.
During their first two years, experimental and theoretical research students are required to take at least five postgraduate modules, although allowance may be made for previous postgraduate study. Assessment of modules is by coursework and/or unseen examination.
Entry requirements
- MPhil in Physics
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UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in physics. Applications are also encouraged from students of other disciplines, for example mathematical physics, chemical physics or materials science.
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 Physics
-
UK entrance requirements
A first- or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree in physics. Applications are also encouraged from students of other disciplines, for example mathematical physics, chemical physics or materials science.
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 Physics
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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 Physics
-
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.
PhD studentship on Dark Matter (2013)
Region: UK, Europe (Non UK), International (Non UK/EU)
Level: PG (research)
Application deadline: 30 August 2013
An award for Postgraduate Research for 3 years, for UK, EU, or Overseas students
Faculty interests
For more detailed information, visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Our four research groups are focused on research into fundamental areas of science:
- Astronomy Centre
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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.
- Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
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Dr Claudia Eberlein is a theorist working on quantum optics and quantum field theory.
Dr Barry Garraway heads this group and is a theoretical physicist with a particular research interest in quantum physics and quantum optics.
Dr Winfried Hensinger researches ion quantum technology and is implementing new quantum technologies using ultracold-trapped ions.
Dr Matthias Keller studies the interaction between single atomic ions and light to exchange information between quantum computers.
Dr José Verdú aims to develop novel types of traps for electrons with applications to metrology.
- Experimental Particle Physics
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Dr Antonella De Santo heads this group and also leads the Sussex effort on ATLAS at CERN. She searches for supersymmetry in ATLAS data in a quest to uncover the nature of dark matter in the universe.
Dr Elisabeth Falk seeks to find manifestations of new physics in both neutrino experiments and in proton-proton interactions at the Large Hadron Collider.
Dr Mike Hardiman seeks to uncover the processes that led to the dominance of matter over anti-matter in the universe.
Professor Philip Harris is spokesperson of the CryoEDM experiment. He makes high-precision measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment, searching for subtle effects from new physics beyond the Standard Model.
Dr Jeff Hartnell is interested in fundamental properties of neutrinos. He works on the SNO+ experiment, attempting to determine whether the neutrino is its own anti-particle.
Dr Simon Peeters heads the SNO+ effort at Sussex and is interested in fundamental properties of the neutrino. He is also involved in the DEAP-3600 experiment aimed at direct searches of dark matter.
Dr Fabrizio Salvatore is involved in the ATLAS experiment at the CERN LHC, working on the experiment’s trigger system and on searches for supersymmetry in tau final states.
- Theoretical Particle Physics
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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 graduates have gone on to careers in education and software engineering, and also hold posts such as postdoctoral research fellow.
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.