The Department offers a limited number of STFC studentships in the experimental particle physics, astrophysics, space physics, and cosmology research areas. If you wish to be considered for one of these studentships, please submit your application by the end of January. Please mention in your personal statement or in the funding section of your application that you wish to be considered for STFC funding.
The Department offers a limited number of EPSRC studentships for prospective PhD students in areas of Experimental Condensed Matter and Theory. If you wish to be considered for one of these studentships, we encourage you to submit your application by the end of January. Please mention in your personal statement or in the funding section of your application that you wish to be considered for EPSRC funding.
Studentships supported by the Faculty of Science and Technology are awarded on a basis of academic excellence and research potential. If you wish to be considered for one of these studentships, we encourage you to submit your application by the end of January.
The Institute Of Physics has launched the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund to encourage greater diversity in physics by supporting students from currently under-represented groups in their physics PhD studies. Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell donated her 2018 Breakthrough Prize to set up the Fund.
If you are interested in applying for a Bell Burnell Scholarship for PhD studies starting in October 2026, please check your eligibility on their webpage, and discuss your interest in this scholarship with your prospective supervisor.
The deadline for submitting Scholarship applications to the Department is Monday 8 Dec 2025. Please apply using the online Applications system and include the following documents with your application as separate pages of your personal statement:
- 1 page CV focussing on skills and experiences relevant to your Physics career.
- Background and need for a BBGSF grant (300 words): highlight any barriers or challenges encountered previously or anticipated during the proposed research project.
- Personal statement (1000 words max): ): including (a) reasons for wanting to do a Doctorate; (b) how you meet the BBGSF eligibility criteria clearly stating which underrepresented group you identify as; (c) how you propose to gain benefit from a grant, if awarded (d) how you would be an ambassador for the scheme.
Please ensure you also clearly state the project and supervisor you are applying for.
The Department will review applications and notify applicants whether their application will be supported by 19 Dec 2025. Supervisors and the Director of Postgraduate Studies will support selected applicants in preparing their final application to be submitted to the IOP by 19 Jan 2026.
Please contact Dr Alessandro Romito (Director of Postgraduate Studies) with any queries about applications for the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund.
Opportunities are also available in Space Weather via the . Applications should be made directly via the training centre.
