Join our rich and vibrant community of researchers. Together we’re understanding the physics behind the fabric of the Universe and how it affects the world we observe.
We are ranked in the top 5 physics and astronomy departments in the Russell Group for our research output. Our world-leading status has been confirmed in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
You will be supported by a supervisor who'll help you shape your research topic. You'll also join one of our research groups. Being a member of a research group means that interested people are always on hand to hear your ideas, discuss your results and offer help and encouragement.
You'll be able to attend postgraduate lecture courses, classes and research seminars to broaden your knowledge. There will also be opportunities to attend short courses or summer schools, such as Institute of Physics workshops and NATO Advanced Study Institutes. These bring together experts to give lectures and lead discussions.
We'll encourage you to travel for conferences and research collaborations at other large laboratories and world-class observatories, such as CERN and The European Southern Observatory in Chile.
As a newly qualified PhD in Physics, you'll have many career options open to you. Our students head into non-scientific careers, or take up science-based appointments in the UK. Others go one to postdoctoral research, often in the United States, Europe or, increasingly, Japan.
We invite PhD applications to study within the following research areas:
The University of Southampton is pleased to announce that PGR students from EU and Horizon associated countries joining us in 2026-27 will pay the same as UK PGRs for their PhD.
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
Structured studentships are advertised PhD projects with a title, supervisor, remit and funding already in place. These projects have been set up through collaborations with industry, external partners or they may have been provided through one of several Centres for Doctoral Training which we take part in.
Taking one of our structured studentships will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.
Supermassive black holes in quasars control the growth of their host galaxies by driving powerful outflows from the disks that surround them. Despite their importance, we know almost nothing about these disk winds. In this project, You will construct a physical picture of quasar outflows by modelling their observational signatures.
This project aims to find experimental ways to couple nuclear spin dynamics to the centre of mass motion/oscillation of optically trapped particles. This will allow to use the quantum features of the spins to control and prepare quantum states of motion, such as macroscopic Schrödinger cat states.
This project aims to recalibrate early universe measurements and deliver precise and accurate supermassive black hole (SMBH) masses using the new GRAVITY+ measurements.
This PhD project develops next-generation multicore fibre amplifiers for sustainable submarine networks. The research combines simulation and experiment to create energy-efficient, high-capacity amplification technologies that reduce power consumption, cost per bit, and enhance future global communication infrastructure.
This project aims to explore the turbulent atmosphere of Jupiter using cutting-edge 3D climate simulations. It combines high-performance computing, advanced modelling, and international collaboration to uncover the mechanisms behind giant storms, multiple jets, and exotic weather.
Explore advanced material platforms for UV-VIS photonic integrated circuits. This project will develop low-loss waveguides using wide band-gap materials, enabling breakthroughs in biomedical sensing, environmental monitoring, and compact light engines for high-resolution displays.
Current nonlinear fiber optic devices mainly focus on the visible and near-infrared bands. The project focuses on the development of mid-infrared (MIR) nonlinear optics and integrated nonlinear devices using soft-glass optical fibers to achieve efficient light generation and manipulation in the 2–20 µm spectral region.
A research project within the Doctoral Centre for Advanced Electrical Power Engineering will consider a complex set of plasma phenomena and physical processes taking place during contact opening in DC switches as well as an optimisation of the devices design to extend its applicability for higher currents and voltages.
Dive into the mysterious world of polarization in antiresonant hollow core fibres, where conventional wisdom is turned on its head, and unexpected phenomena emerge every day. Through your insights and innovation, you will shape the future of this cutting-edge technology from data centres, to high-power lasers, to space systems.
A miles-long glass sheath thinner than human hair enshrouds a delicate arrangement of glass tubes having hundred-nm thickness – this is Antiresonant Hollow-Core Optical Fibre – a technology creating new fields in data, quantum, and sensing. This PhD will explore means of deploying these novel fibres in compact coils for sensing.
This project aims to interrogate one of the most pressing problems of modern physics, can we describe gravity with quantum mechanics? A thought experiment wherein a test mass in superposition may or may not produce a superimposed gravitational field was proposed and this studentship will contribute to its realisation.
This project develops a gyroscope using a levitated nanodiamond with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. These systems enable coupling between the mechanical angular momentum of a levitated nanoparticle and its internal electronic spins, opening pathways for quantum control and precision sensing.
This project will involve the development of novel resource-efficient quantum algorithms for molecular simulation and their adaption in state-of-the-art quantum hardware in the cloud and with collaborators.
Recent discoveries of exotic forms of light, structured in space and in time, promise novel ways of transferring information, delivering energy, and even manipulating matter. The project will focus on the generation, light-matter interactions, and applications of spatiotemporally structured electromagnetic waves.
This project investigates thermonuclear (Type I) X-ray bursts on neutron stars through numerical simulations of flame spreading and ignition. You'll model burst dynamics, compare results with observations, and explore broader applications of the code to stellar flame propagation and exoplanetary atmospheres, developing strong computational and programming expertise.
Binaries containing white dwarfs, neutron stars or black holes produce many key astrophysical systems, from supernovae to merging black holes. However, their long-term evolution remains poorly understood. In this project, you will develop a next-generation framework for determining the evolution compact binaries using the latest theoretical, observational and computational developments.
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. We run several of our PhD studentships in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and in some cases funding as well.
These studentships:
Doctoral training centres offer fully funded studentships which include:
Find out more about doctoral training centres.
In association with the UK joining the EU Horizon Programme, the University of Southampton will be introducing and applying an EU fee waiver for students joining us from EU and Horizon associated countries. This means that PGR students joining us from 2025-26 will pay the same fees as UK PGR students.
See here for full information terms and conditions
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
You may be able to fund your postgraduate research with funding from your current employer or from industry.
You can borrow up to £30,301 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2025. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
We charge tuition fees for every year of study. If you're applying for a fully funded project, your fees will be paid for you.
EU Fee Waiver: If your country is part of the Horizon Europe Programme, you will pay the same fees as UK students.
Find out if your country is part of the Horizon Europe programme
2023 to 2024 entry:
| Subject | UK and Horizon applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and astronomy full time | tbc | £25,500 |
| Physics and astronomy part time | tbc | £12,750 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| Subject | UK and Horizon applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and astronomy full time | £4,786 | £26,100 |
| Physics and astronomy part time | £2,393 | £13,050 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| Subject | UK and Horizon applicants | International fees |
|---|---|---|
| Physics and astronomy full time | tbc | £26,700 |
| Physics and astronomy part time | tbc | £13,350 |
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
As a postgraduate student you'll join one of our research groups. We're ranked in the top five departments for our research output among the Russell Group universities.
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
You’ll need to send us
The application process is the same whether you're applying for a funded project, or have created a research proposal.
You should have a 2:1 honours undergraduate degree or an appropriate MSc qualification such as Master of Science in physics or a Master of Physics.
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 6.0 with a 5.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Duration |
| Physics and astronomy PhD full time | 2 to 4 years |
| Physics and astronomy PhD part time | 3 to 7 years |
