Information before you apply

General Ph.D. Information

This page provides some general information on our standard stream to apply for a Ph.D. in High Energy Physics. We also offer places through the Centre for Data Intensive Science and Industry, and more information can be found on their page. You are welcome to apply to either or both streams.

The Structure of a Ph.D.

A PhD is usually between 3 and 4 years, with 3.5 years being the most common. A normal pattern of PhD research would be:

• Year 1: University of London postgraduate courses, October-January, in conjunction with RHUL, Brunel and QMUL. Beginning research on an experiment in parallel, including attending collaboration meetings if applicable. Written first year report to be handed in at the beginning of September, with an oral presentation and mini-viva at the end of September. National Particle Physics Summer School in September at the end of your first year.
• Year 2: Research on thesis topic. For experimental students, whose experiment is abroad: you usually have the option to spend up to a year at the experiment. Usually attend an international summer school.
• Years 3/4: Research on thesis topic, write up and hand in thesis. In the spring of the third year the student presents their thesis work at the Annual Institute of Physics High Energy Particle Physics Group meeting. Also typically attend one other international conference.

This is only a rough guide - details vary depending upon the project, student and supervisor.

Eligibility

In order to start a PhD with us you must meet the academic requirements and pass an interview. If you do not yet have your relevant qualifications you will be made a conditional offer, dependent on you succesfully obtaining the qualifications before you start your PhD.

If you do not have English as your first language, you must also meet the "Standard" level English language requirements before starting your studies. 

Funding Details

Funded Positions

Each year, we offer a number of funded studentships that cover your fees, research expenses and a cost of living stipend. To be eligible for these positions you must be eligible for home fees, although there are some scholarships available that bridge the gap between home and international fees. For some of these positions (some of those that are STFC funded) you are also required to have been living in the UK for at least 3 years, details of this requirement are given here.

Scholarships

We host a number of prestigious scholarships which typically cover the fees and stipend for a Ph.D. We welcome applications for these scholarships, but it is crucial that you make contact with us much earlier: please send us a CV and a short statement about the projects you are interested in by the 30th of November for a PhD starting the following October (although sooner is preferred). 

It is also worth asking your local university, government or other contacts for other sources of funding. 

Impact Studentships

UCL offers funding through the Impact scheme, in which UCL provides half of the costs of a studentship (home fees, living costs, research expenses) if the other half can be matched from another funding source. If you have suggestions for sources of funding where the matching funds can be found, please contact us to discuss this possibility.
 

Self-funding

If you want to consider self-funding your PhD please get in touch sending your CV and a short statement on the types of projects you are interested in. Please note that if you intend to self-fund your Ph.D. studies you will need to have enough financial means to cover for your cost of living, fees and some research expsenses (travel and a laptop) through the entire duration of your studies.