Department of Physics

We are one of the UK's top Physics departments and have a reputation for high-quality teaching, driven by outstanding research, performed in an inclusive and welcoming community.

Welcome to the Department of Physics at Durham

The Physics Department is a thriving centre for research and education.

We are proud that our Department closely aligns the teaching and learning experience for its students with the research-intensive values and practices of the University. Research-led teaching is embedded at all levels from first year laboratory reports to our final year MSci flagship individual research projects.

The Department incorporates the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, is home to the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology and the Institute for Computational Cosmology. The Ogden Centre is also the base for our innovative outreach programme for school children and their teachers.

A graphic showing an on-campus scene of students walking past the modern, glass-sided library building with the University's Physics and Astronomy Top 100 ranking emblazoned on it

Find out more about us

2nd in the Guardian University Guide 2024

3rd for Physics and Astronomy in the Complete University Guide 2024

96% of our research outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

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Before you arrive Welcome and Induction

News

Durham Physics Department gains an 'Entrepreneur in Residence', in association with the Royal Society

Sixteen entrepreneurs, senior scientists and business leaders have been awarded a place on the Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence scheme for 2021. We are delighted to welcome Dr Rodger Sykes to the department here at Durham as a newly awarded Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.

Supporting business through astronomy

Durham’s astronomers and cosmologists are increasingly sharing their knowledge and expertise to support business. From washing powder to x-ray machines, our experts are helping to improve products for customers and enhance research and development in industry.

Spin out company Kromek raises £15m in flotation

A Durham University spin out company specialising in digital colour x-ray imaging has been attracting the attention of investors worldwide after its shares began trading on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s international market for growing companies. Kromek raised £15m to help fund expansion and future growth in a successful, oversubscribed, flotation on 16 October that valued the company at £55m.

Queen’s Award for Durham University academic

A Durham University academic has been awarded The Queen's Award For Enterprise Promotion, the UK's highest accolade for business success, for his work in promoting enterprise and business in the North East. The award to Professor Brian Tanner, Professor of Physics & Dean of Knowledge Transfer at Durham University, recognises his involvement in enterprise promotion over 30 years, nationally and internationally.

Our pioneering projects in solar and space technologies awarded funding from UK Space Agency

Our scientists and engineers are at the forefront of global innovation. Experts from our world-leading Physics Department are leading on two pioneering projects that will develop optical technologies for future satellites instrumentation and transform our observations of the Sun and high energy astrophysics.