Particle Physics

The Particle Physics undergraduate program at the University of Oxford offers a comprehensive and rigorous education in the fundamental principles that govern the universe at the smallest scales. Designed for students with a strong background in mathematics and physics, this course provides an in-depth exploration of the theoretical and experimental aspects of particle physics. Throughout the program, students will engage with core topics such as quantum mechanics, special relativity, the Standard Model, and the fundamental forces of nature. They will also study advanced subjects including quantum field theory, particle accelerators, detector physics, and cosmology, preparing them for careers in research, academia, or industry. The program features a blend of lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, and research projects, encouraging critical thinking and independent learning. Students have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research at world-renowned facilities like CERN and to collaborate with leading physicists in the field. The interdisciplinary nature of the course means that students will develop strong analytical, mathematical, and computational skills, which are highly valued across scientific and technological sectors. Throughout their studies, undergraduates benefit from the university's exceptional resources, including extensive libraries and specialized laboratories. The program also emphasizes the importance of scientific communication, team collaboration, and ethical considerations in scientific research. By the end of the course, graduates will have a deep understanding of the fundamental particles and interactions that shape our universe and will be well-equipped to pursue graduate studies or careers in particle physics and related disciplines. The Oxford Particle Physics program aims to cultivate innovative thinking and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in understanding the universe at its most fundamental level.

The sub-department is one of the largest in the UK and is well equipped to carry out research in a wide range of topics, from the study of new particles produced at high energy accelerators to neutrinos, dark matter and dark energy in the Universe. The sub-department’s experiments are carried out at facilities around the world, in Switzerland, Japan, the USA and Canada.

You will spend half the first year on a lecture course in addition to starting your research and, if appropriate, spend your second year on-site at your experiment. Laboratories here in Oxford and experiments at overseas facilities provide access to a high-tech environment and excellent research training, directly applicable to a broad range of fields.

The world's biggest accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, is running and in 2012 the Higgs boson, a particle thought to give mass to all elementary particles, was discovered. The understanding of its properties is one of the main aims of the ATLAS experiment. The Oxford group is also focused on the search of new particles predicted in Supersymmetry and other beyond the Standard Model theories. Elucidation of CP violation, one of the mysteries of particle physics, is the aim of the sub-department’s other LHC experiment, LHCb. Both experiments will require you to obtain and analyse data from the highest-energy machine in the world.

The sub-department is also involved in the study of neutrino oscillations and neutrino properties at the T2K experiment in Japan, MicroBooNe in the USA, and at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO+) in Canada.

The sub-department has been involved in direct searches for dark matter for many years and studentships are now available associated to the LUX/Zeplin project. Recently it has begun a programme in collaboration with the sub-department of astrophysics to elucidate the nature of dark energy with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.

The future of particle physics relies on the development of new instruments for detecting particles and novel ideas in accelerator physics. The sub-department is heavily involved in the development of these areas. It has outstanding facilities to build the new silicon detectors needed for the luminosity upgrade of the LHC and other applications. Furthermore, through the John Adams Institute, you will be involved in a range of projects on accelerators which would be used in high energy physics, nuclear physics, as X-ray sources, and in medical applications.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in physics. This would normally be an undergraduate masters' degree, known as an MPhys in the UK and taken over four years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland or over five years in Scotland, though international equivalents are also considered.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the typical minimum GPA sought is 3.3 out of 4.0. However, selection of candidates also depends on other factors in your application and most successful applicants have achieved higher GPA scores. 

Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Research proposal: At least one paragraph, up to one page
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Standard level

The Particle Physics undergraduate program at the University of Oxford offers a range of financing options to support students throughout their studies. Tuition fees vary depending on the student’s domicile status; for domestic students, fees are approximately £9,250 per year, while international students can expect higher fees, often in the range of £26,000 to £36,000 annually. To help manage these costs, Oxford provides a variety of financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, bursaries, and grants. Undergraduate scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both, and some are specifically targeted at students pursuing STEM subjects. The university also participates in government-funded loan schemes for UK students, which allow students to borrow funds to support their tuition and living expenses, repaid after graduation once income exceeds a certain threshold. For international students, funding options are more limited, but some external organizations and research councils offer scholarships and awards to outstanding candidates, particularly those engaged in research-intensive fields such as Particle Physics. Additionally, students are encouraged to seek external sponsorships from industry partners or research organizations related to high-energy physics. The university’s dedicated Student Finance Office provides comprehensive advice and guidance on available funding options, application procedures, and deadlines. Living costs in Oxford are estimated at around £12,000 to £15,000 per year, covering accommodation, food, transport, and other personal expenses. Many students choose to work part-time during their studies to supplement their income, and the university offers various part-time roles and vacation opportunities. Specific financial support tailored to students in the Particle Physics program includes research grants, summer internships, and project funding that can sometimes cover additional costs associated with hands-on research or fieldwork. Overall, Oxford’s financial aid system aims to ensure that talented students, regardless of financial background, can pursue a degree in Particle Physics without insurmountable financial barriers.

The Oxford University Physics Department offers a specialized programme in Particle Physics that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental particles and forces that constitute the universe. This course is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for research in high-energy physics, cosmology, and related fields. Throughout the programme, students explore topics such as quantum mechanics, special relativity, quantum field theory, and the Standard Model of particle physics. They are introduced to experimental techniques used in large-scale experiments like those conducted at CERN, including detector design, data analysis, and computational methods. The curriculum combines lectures, seminars, and laboratory work, fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Students have access to cutting-edge research facilities and participate in ongoing research projects, often collaborating with leading scientists in the field. The programme also emphasizes the development of transferable skills, such as scientific communication, teamwork, and computational proficiency. Opportunities for internships and conferences are integrated into the course structure, providing valuable exposure to professional scientific communities. Graduates of this programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, and industry sectors that require expertise in advanced physics concepts and analytical techniques. The programme is typically pursued over three years for an undergraduate degree and one year for a master's qualification, with options for specialization in areas such as experimental particle physics, theoretical physics, or astrophysics. Admission requirements generally include A-levels or equivalent qualifications in mathematics and physics, with an emphasis on strong academic performance and research potential. The programme at Oxford uniquely benefits from the university's extensive research infrastructure and collaborations with international physics laboratories, ensuring students receive a world-class education in particle physics.