To apply to our PhD programme, follow this link, then click on “Apply Now” in front of the relevant option (Program “PhD in Department of Physics and Astronomy” and Year “2025/2026”).

You will have to enter an email address as your username. Please pick an address to which you will have access at least up to June next year.

As part of your application, you will need to provide: an academic transcript, a CV, a personal statement highlighting your motivation for pursuing the PhD project and any relevant experience, and up to two letters of recommendation (to be uploaded by the application deadline). Make sure that you include the names of all proposed supervisors for the projects you are interested in. 

We admit two to three students (shared with the Solar and Stellar Physics group) from the UK per year, who are awarded fully-funded 3.5-year studentships funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). In addition, a few fully-funded studentships are made available from time to time by the School of Physics and Astronomy for students from the UK and EU: applications are considered for these along with the STFC studentships.

We are now considering applications for September 2025. Candidates who complete their applications by 19 January, 2025, and ensure that reference letters are also uploaded by this date, will receive full consideration. We will continue to accept applications until all positions are filled.

We welcome applications from students of any nationality. Overseas students are also encouraged to apply for suitable external funding, e.g., the Commonwealth scholarships. Other general advice for overseas students is available for external sites: e.g. FindaPhD .

During the first year at the University of Birmingham, PhD students are required to undertake a training programme which includes taught courses given as part of the Midlands Physics Alliance, involving lecturers and students from the Universities of Birmingham, Warwick and Nottingham. In addition to taught courses, this training programme involves assessed reading assigments under the guidance of experts at all three Universities, as well as courses on essential skills such as presentation skills, proposal writing skills, and an introduction to peer review.

The normal minimum requirement for financial support for non-UK students is a first class MSc degree.

For UK students, to obtain an STFC studentship, an upper second class (II:i) M.Sci. (four-year) degree or its equivalent is required.

You are advised to browse through the research pages of the Astrophysics and Space Research group and the School of Physics and Astronomy  to ensure that you are interested in our research activities.

For further queries please contact the School's PhD Co-ordinator, via E-mail at physics-dr [at] contacts.bham.ac.uk [contacts.bham.ac.uk] or via phone at 0121 414 4566, or directly members of staff supervising specific projects.