Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The DPhil in Theoretical Physics is a research-based course of three to four years in duration. As a students working towards your DPhil in Theoretical Physics, you will choose from topics ranging from astrophysics and plasma physics to condensed matter theory to particle theory. The course is hosted by the Theoretical Physics sub-department, one of six sub-departments of the Department of Physics. The sub-department collaborates with experimentalists in other sub-departments and worldwide. There are also theoretical projects available in other sub-departments. You will be assigned to a research group and your research project will be your main focus throughout your DPhil. Your research work begins on day one and will be underpinned by a taught graduate course in the first year that runs in parallel. To increase your basic and specialist physics knowledge you will be required to attend lectures and other courses in your first year. You will have the opportunity to follow courses taught at other departments across the Maths, Physics and Life Sciences division. You will engage in a thorough skills training programme which includes a range of workshops and seminars in transferable skills, generic research skills and specific research techniques. There are also numerous seminars and lectures held in the department by local and visiting physicists, and you will be provided with many opportunities to meet experts in various fields. There will also be opportunity for you to present your work at both formal and informal conferences, seminars and colloquia. You will be assigned to a research group: work on your original research project will start immediately and continue for the duration of your DPhil. Your research project will be your main focus throughout your DPhil, but to increase your basic and specialist physics knowledge you will be required to attend lectures and courses in your first year. This includes courses from the MMathPhys programme, as well as the seminars and colloquia that are held in the department. During your DPhil you are encouraged to attend conferences and summer schools inside or outside the UK and the department supports such attendance financially.