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Research in Theoretical Physics

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• Theoretical astrophysics and plasma physics
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Graduate Admissions

Admission for entry in October 2024 is now CLOSED. Applications for entry in October 2025 will open in September 2024.

Below you will find information about the graduate courses offered by the Oxford Philosophy Faculty, including the Faculty’s flagship two-year Master’s course, the BPhil in Philosophy. For information about the application process, please visit the Admissions Procedure and Entry Requirements page .

Introduction to graduate study in Philosophy

Each year, around 75 graduate students in philosophy are admitted to Oxford. About two-fifths are admitted for the Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy course, the “ BPhil ” (note that, despite its name, the BPhil is a Master's level, postgraduate degree, equivalent to a two-year MPhil) and between five and eight students are admitted for each of the Faculty’s specialised Master of Studies courses, in Ancient Philosophy and Philosophy of Physics . There are also a number of students admitted to the Master of Studies  in Practical Ethics . 

The aim of the Faculty’s graduate programmes is to prepare students for an academic career in philosophy. The usual progression through the Oxford philosophy graduate programme is to take the BPhil or one of the specialist MSt courses and then to continue research on the DPhil, which is examined by a thesis of approximately 75,000 words. Students who progress from one of the specialist MSt courses must spend one year as a Probationary Research Student (“PRS”) before applying for full DPhil status. Typically, a candidate’s thesis for the BPhil or the MSt in Ancient Philosophy will provide a basis for his or her DPhil thesis. There is no thesis element to the MSt in Philosophy of Physics, but candidates who progress to the DPhil from that course are required to write a 20,000 word thesis during their year as a PRS. For all these degrees the student must be a matriculated member of a college, and must normally reside in Oxford for at least one or two years.

A number of students are admitted each year directly to the Doctor of Philosophy course (the “ DPhil ”, the Faculty’s doctoral programme), initially as Probationary Research Students. These students will typically have already completed substantial graduate work in philosophy, usually equivalent to that required for the BPhil.

It is also possible to study philosophy at Oxford at graduate level without being enrolled for a degree. In order to do this, you must apply for entry as a Recognised Student . 

Entry Requirements

For a detailed description of the entry requirements for each course, please click on the relevant course link below:

• DPhil in Philosophy 
• BPhil in Philosophy
• MSt in Ancient Philosophy
• MSt in Philosophy of Physics
• MSt in Practical Ethics

We hold a Graduate Open Day in March each year, for applicants who receive an offer of a place. If your application is successful, you will receive further information about this in due course. The Open Day in 2025 is provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 19 March.

For the latest information on fees charged by the University, and living costs, please visit the Fees and Funding page .

Please visit our Graduate Funding page to identify various sources of funding for the Philosophy Faculty’s graduate programmes.

Please read through our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Admissions pages .

• DPhil in Philosophy
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In addition to progressing from the BPhil or one of the specialist MSt courses, an alternative route to the DPhil, involving initial admission directly as a Probationary Research Student (PRS) and later transfer to DPhil status, is available to candidates who already have a substantial background in philosophy, usually equivalent to that acquired by taking the BPhil. A general condition for admission of any candidate to the DPhil course is that their proposed thesis constitutes a suitable philosophical project of the required length and that there is a member of the Faculty who is able to act as supervisor.

For a full description of the DPhil, please visit the DPhil in Philosophy page .

The BPhil is an intellectually demanding course, presupposing an undergraduate and/or graduate background in philosophy or a closely related discipline. It is not suitable as a conversion course for students changing to philosophy from another subject and it cannot be studied part-time or externally. It is regarded both as training for the DPhil and a basis for teaching a range of philosophical subjects and requires sustained and focused work over two years.

For a full description of the BPhil in Philosophy, please visit the BPhil in Philosophy page .

The MSt course in Ancient Philosophy attracts students of the highest calibre with a background in philosophy or classics and aims to provide a graduate education in ancient philosophy of the highest possible quality: one which will provide a foundation on which students can go on to pursue doctoral work in the area. The course consists of two subject options (examined by a total of three 5,000 word essays) and a thesis of 10,000-15,000 words.

It is not a course requirement that students without any (or with little) Ancient Greek attend the Ancient Greek language classes currently run by the Faculty of Classics but it is highly recommended that they do so as being able to read philosophical texts in the original language is an advantage for Ancient Philosophy studies. 

Students who pass the MSt in Ancient Philosophy will have the opportunity to apply to continue to the Faculty’s DPhil (doctoral) programme, via a year as a Probationary Research Student. MSt in Ancient Philosophy graduates who continue to the DPhil, will be expected to have reached a certain standard in classical Greek. While there is no related examination requirement, it is a requirement for the MSt in Ancient Philosophy students without any (or with little) knowledge of classical Greek to attend language classes run by the Faculty of Classics, if they want to progress to the DPhil. 

For a full description of the MSt in Ancient Philosophy, please visit the MSt in Ancient Philosophy page .

This course aims to attract students with a strong background in physics at undergraduate level or higher, who wish to learn about philosophy in general and philosophy of physics in particular. The course will offer a graduate education in Philosophy of Physics of the highest possible quality, providing a foundation on which candidates can go on to pursue doctoral work in the area.

The course consists of three subjects: Philosophy of Physics, Philosophy of Science, and an elective component (chosen from the following list: Metaphysics and Theory of Knowledge; Philosophy of Mind and Action; Philosophical Logic and the Philosophy of Language; and Philosophy of Mathematics).

Students who pass the MSt in Philosophy of Physics will have the opportunity to apply to continue to the Faculty’s DPhil (doctoral) programme, via a year as a Probationary Research Student.

For a full description of the MSt in Philosophy of Physics, please visit the MSt in Philosophy of Physics page .

Since October 2018, the Department of Continuing Education, in coalition with the Faculty of Philosophy, has been offering a two-to-three-year part-time masters course in Practical Ethics, the MSt in Practical Ethics. For more information, please check the Department of Continuing Education course webpage and the MSt in Practical Ethics page .

Other degrees that may be of interest include the MSt in Film Aesthetics , MSt in Women's Studies , MSt in Philosophical Theology  and MPhil in Philosophical Theology .

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Oxford Physics and Oxford Mathematics jointly offer a master's level course in mathematical and theoretical physics . Students from outside Oxford can apply to join the MSc mode of the course and will study for an MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. Oxford MPhys, MMath or MPhysPhil students will be able to apply for transfer to the MMathPhys mode of the course after their third year and study mathematical and theoretical physics in their fourth year, instead of following the fourth year of their original degree course. Oxford MMathPhys students will graduate as a “Master of Mathematical and Theoretical Physics” with a double classification consisting of the BA degree class in their original subject and an MMathPhys degree class. The course provides a high-level, world class training in mathematical and theoretical physics, right up to the level of modern research.

The four main areas covered by the course are:

• Quantum Field Theory, Particle Physics and String Theory,
• Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics,
• Theoretical Astrophysics, Plasma Physics and Physics of Continuous Media,
• Mathematical Foundations of Theoretical Physics.

For details on course structure and admission please see the Apply page.

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Physics and Joint Schools

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• St John's Physics students study in the Oxford Physics Department, which combines an outstanding research record with a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, including tutorials.
• Tutorials are led by active researchers who are passionate about teaching and able to draw connections between the course and their current research in a range of fields.
• Students are encouraged to think critically, work out problems independently, and formulate their own questions to develop a deep understanding of the subject.
• All the first year college teaching in Mathematics for Physics is carried out by Dr Sivia who has unrivalled experience and expertise in the area. He is the author of a successful two-volume textbook "Foundations of Science Mathematics" (1999, OUP).
• Undergraduates have excellent opportunities to learn about current research, not only through their lectures and tutorials but also by working with tutors on research projects during the vacations.
• St. John's attracts excellent physics students who work well together in a friendly, mutually supportive atmosphere.
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• Physicists are very highly valued by employers because of their ability to apply physical ideas to real world problems. They are employed in a wide variety of fields, including electronics, manufacturing, finance, accountancy, academia and the public sector.

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The PhD in Physics is a full-time period of research which introduces or builds upon, research skills and specialist knowledge. Students are assigned a research supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and join a research group which might vary in size between a handful to many tens of individuals.

Although the supervisor is responsible for the progress of a student's research programme, the extent to which a postgraduate student is assisted by the supervisor or by other members of the group depends almost entirely on the structure and character of the group concerned. The research field is normally determined at entry, after consideration of the student's interests and the facilities available. The student, however, may work within a given field for a period of time before their personal topic is determined.

There is no requirement made by the University for postgraduate students to attend formal courses or lectures for the PhD. Postgraduate work is largely a matter of independent research and successful postgraduates require a high degree of self-motivation. Nevertheless, lectures and classes may be arranged, and students are expected to attend both seminars (delivered regularly by members of the University and by visiting scholars and industrialists) and external conferences. Postgraduate students are also expected to participate in the undergraduate teaching programme at some time whilst they are based at the Cavendish, in order to develop their teaching, demonstrating, outreach, organisational and person-management skills.

It is expected that postgraduate students will also take advantage of the multiple opportunities available for transferable skills training within the University during their period of research.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the research programme, students will have demonstrated:

• the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication;
• a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;
• the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
• a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry; and
• the development of a PhD thesis for examination that they can defend in an oral examination and, if successful, graduate with a PhD.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of physics, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Easter 2024 (Closed)

Michaelmas 2024 (closed), easter 2025, funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Physics MPhil
• Planetary Science and Life in the Universe MPhil
• Mathematics MPhil
• Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics PhD
• Astronomy MPhil

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PhD in Physics

Application deadline: Jun 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM

Call for Applications

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Doctoral programme start date: Nov 01, 2024

Alessandro Gabrielli

Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Augusto Righi" - DIFA

Viale Berti Pichat 6/2 Bologna (BO)

[email protected]

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Bachelor's in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering

Why pursue a bachelor’s degree in materials science and mechanical engineering.

Mechanical Engineering is critical to the success of many human enterprises. It plays a central role in the generation and distribution of energy, transportation, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. Nearly every product or service in modern life has been touched in some way by a mechanical engineer.

At Harvard College, students choose a "concentration," which is what we call a major. All prospective undergraduate students, including those intending to study engineering and applied sciences, apply directly to  Harvard College . During your sophomore spring you’ll declare a concentration, or field of study. You may choose from 50 concentrations and 49 secondary field (from  Harvard DSO website ).

Students can pursue a degree with an emphasis in mechanical engineering through the following concentrations:

• A.B. in Engineering Sciences - Mechanical and Materials Science and Engineering Track
• S.B. in Mechanical Engineering

Learn about some of our Mechanical Engineering Concentrators  >

Apply to Harvard College  >

Bachelor of Arts (A.B.)

Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering is a discipline of engineering that uses the principles of physics and materials science for the analysis and design of mechanical and thermal systems. The objectives of the Mechanical and Materials Science and Engineering Track of the Engineering Sciences A.B. program are to provide students a solid foundation in mechanical engineering study within the setting of a liberal arts college for preparation for a diverse range of careers in industry and government or for advanced work in engineering, business, law, or medicine.

Bachelor of Science (S.B.)

Mechanical Engineering concentrators receive a foundational education in a discipline central to challenges in energy, transportation, manufacturing, robotics, and the development of public infrastructure. Mechanical Engineering deals with the study and application of mechanical and thermal systems and covers a range of subtopics including mechatronics and robotics, structural analysis, thermodynamics and engineering design including the analysis of mechanical systems using finite element methods, the science of new materials, and devices for micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) and biological and nanotechnology applications.

AB/SM Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering Degree Program

Our AB/SM degree program  is for currently enrolled Harvard College students only.

Prerequisites

Learn about the prerequisites for the concentration and the differences between the S.B. and A.B. tracks on on our  First-Year Exploration page . Students interested in concentrating in Mechanical Engineering can be matched with a Peer Concentration Advisor. PCAs serve as peer advisors for pre-concentrators (and current concentrators), providing a valuable perspective and helping students to discover additional resources and opportunities.  Learn more about the Peer Concentration Advisor program .

AB/SM Program

Our  AB/SM degree program  is for currently enrolled Harvard College students only.

Requirements

Learn more about the  Mechanical Engineering requirements .

Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering Degree Courses

View current  Mechanical Engineering courses . 

Research Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering

As part of your Mechanical Engineering coursework, or perhaps as part of individual research opportunities working with professors, you will have the chance to take part in or participate in some extraordinary projects. Learn more about research opportunities at Harvard SEAS .

Learn about the research interests of our Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering faculty .

Mechanical Engineering Career Paths

Read about some of our Mechanical Engineering Alumni . 

Clubs and Organizations

SEAS-affiliated student organizations are critical to the overall growth of our concentrators as engineering and applied science professionals. These organizations enable our students to pursue passion projects and events in areas of interest that are complementary to the current formal academic curriculum.  Learn more about SEAS-affiliated student clubs and organizations .

In Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering

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Ten key issues for ecological restoration of territorial space.

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Jian Peng, Dongmei Xu, Zihan Xu, Hui Tang, Hong Jiang, Jianquan Dong, Yanxu Liu, Ten key issues for ecological restoration of territorial space, National Science Review , 2024;, nwae176, https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwae176

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Our four-year MPhys course investigates the basic principles of modern physics with a strong emphasis on its mathematical foundation. It also includes a significant amount of experimental work and the possibility of studying a non-physics subject. There is a common emphasis on individual development, discussion and the ability to work with others in the laboratory.

This is an extended course allowing time in addition to the three-year BA course to pursue two or more fields up to the research frontier. It should be of interest to those who seek a possible career in physics and/or who want a degree comparable in level with advanced European degrees.

Students on the three-year BA and the four-year MPhys courses follow exactly the same programme of study for the first two years. After the Part A exams at the end of the second year, students must choose which degree they wish to take.

Course structure

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First proof that “plunging regions” exist around black holes in space

An international team led by researchers at Oxford University Physics  have proved Einstein was correct about a key prediction concerning black holes. Using X-ray data to test Einstein’s theory of gravity, their study gives the first observational proof that a “plunging-region” exists around black holes: an area where matter stops circling the hole and instead falls straight in.  Furthermore, the team found that this region exerts some of the strongest gravitational forces yet identified in the galaxy. The findings have been published in Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society .

Einstein’s theory predicted that this final plunge would exist, but this is the first time we have been able to demonstrate it happening. Think of it like a river turning into a waterfall – hitherto, we have been looking at the river. This is our first sight of the waterfall. Lead author Dr Andrew Mummery , Oxford University Physics.

The new findings are part of wide-ranging investigations into outstanding mysteries around black holes by astrophysicists at Oxford University Physics. This study focused on smaller black holes relatively close to Earth, using X-ray data gathered from NASA’s space-based Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR)  and Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) telescopes. Later this year, a second Oxford team hopes to move closer to recording the first videos of larger, more distant black holes as part of a European initiative.  

Unlike in Newton’s theory of gravity, Einstein’s theory states that sufficiently close to a black hole it is impossible for particles to safely follow circular orbits. Instead they rapidly “plunge” toward the black hole at close to the speed of light. The Oxford study assessed this region in depth for the first-time, using X-ray data to gain a better understanding of the force generated by black holes.

‘This is the first look at how plasma, peeled from the outer edge of a star, undergoes its final fall into the centre of a black hole, a process happening in a system around ten thousand light years away,’ said Dr Andrew Mummery , of Oxford University Physics, who led the study. ‘What is really exciting is that there are many black holes in the galaxy, and we now have a powerful new technique for using them to study the strongest known gravitational fields.’

‘Einstein’s theory predicted that this final plunge would exist, but this is the first time we have been able to demonstrate it happening,’ Dr Mummery continued. ‘Think of it like a river turning into a waterfall – hitherto, we have been looking at the river. This is our first sight of the waterfall.’

‘We believe this represents an exciting new development in the study of black holes, allowing us to investigate this final area around them. Only then can we fully understand the gravitational force,’ Mummery added. ‘This final plunge of plasma happens at the very edge of a black hole and shows matter responding to gravity in its strongest possible form.’

Debate between astrophysicists has been underway for many decades as to whether the so-called plunging region would be detectable. The Oxford team has spent the last couple of years developing models for it and, in the study just published, demonstrate its first confirmed detection found using X-ray telescopes and data from the International Space Station.  

Whilst this study focuses on small black holes closer to Earth, a second study team from Oxford University Physics is part of a European initiative to build a new telescope, The Africa Millimetre Telescope , which would greatly enhance our ability to make direct images of black holes. Over 10 million Euro funding has already been secured, part of which will support several first PhDs in astrophysics for The University of Namibia, working closely with the Oxford Physics University team.

The new telescope is expected to enable observation, and filming, for the first time of large black holes at the centre of our own galaxy, as well as far beyond. As with the small black holes, large black holes are expected to have a so-called “event horizon”, dragging material from space toward their centre in a spiral as the black hole rotates. These represent almost unimaginable sources of energy and the team hope to observe – and film - them rotating for the first time.

The study “Continuum emission from within the plunging region of black hole discs” has been published in Monthly Notices of the Astronomical Society .

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