Durham is one of the leading physics and astronomy departments in the UK, enrolling around 170 students each year. Physics has enhanced our lives, by underpinning inventions such as mobile communications, the Internet, solar cells and medical scanners. Studying Physics at Durham, you can learn about the Big Bang, black holes, the Higgs boson, high temperature super conductors, lasers, cold-atom Bose-Einstein condensates, biophysics and much more from leading researchers in the field. Our research also includes more applied topics in which we collaborate closely with industry. The dedication to our teaching and research consistently puts us high up in all the league tables. Being part of our Department you will benefit from the buzz and creative environment of a large research department and join a dynamic and focused intellectual community.

We offer degrees in Physics, Physics and Astronomy, and Theoretical Physics, all of which are accredited by the Institute of Physics. Our course structures have been designed to provide flexibility in your final choice of degree course. The three-year BSc degree is aimed at those mainly interested in a degree in Physics as a preparation for a career, not necessarily in the Physics area.

Our four-year MPhys degrees will suit those looking for professional training, leading to research in physics or a physics-related career. The first year of the BSc and MPhys degree courses in Physics, Physics and Astronomy, and Theoretical Physics is identical and it is possible to select modules in your second year such that you need not make a firm choice of course until the end of the second year.