UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Particle Physics Theory

Postgraduate Study in Theoretical Particle Physics

A graduation at Glasgow

Applications are invited for research studentships in the field of theoretical particle physics.

The Theoretical Particle Physics Group at Glasgow University performs world-leading research on a wide range of research topics. Each year we invite students to take part in our research through our Ph.D. degree programme.

A research student could choose to work on a topic such as: investigations of the strong force using lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD); searches for the Higgs boson; supsersymmetry; the development of theories for the origin of mass, and/or the generation of accurate predictions for collider experiments such as the LHC. The group actively collaborates with experimental colleagues in the department and further afield, for example with research teams at Fermilab in the US and at CERN, Switzerland. In Glasgow, we understand that the best researchers are people who are genuinely excited about their research topic. We try to give our students as much freedom as possible to study topics that interest them most. Take a look at our research topics to see what you might be interested in.

Although our postgraduate degrees are all research based, we understand the need for training of incoming students in the principles of theoretical and experimental particle physics. We provide a comprehensive set of lectures through The Graduate School of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA). These lectures provide an educational foundation on which the student can build with his or her postgraduate research.

Our postgraduate programme is open to applicants holding a good honours undergraduate degree, or a Masters degree, in an appropriate selection of Physics and Mathematics. More information about the department and its postgraduate opportunities may be found at the departmental postgraduate information page.

The cloister

Funding

  • STFC Studentships: Each year the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) provide funding for a fixed number of postgraduate students in our department. These awards are allocated directly by the department, and, in normal circumstances, funding is for three and a half years and pays a stipend as well as University fees. However, these awards are restricted to candidates who have "a relevant connection with the United Kingdom", so eligibility may be an issue; please check the STFC's guidance notes to make sure you are eligible!

  • University Studentships: Highly prestigious Glasgow University scholarships fund a maintenance award comparable to the STFC stipend (but without dependents' or other allowances) plus fees at the home rate. Students liable to pay the higher overseas fees must concurrently apply for an Overseas Research Students Award Scheme (ORSAS) award or guarantee funds from another source to meet the difference between the home and overseas fee. Please see the University's Scholarship information page for further details.

  • SUPA Studentships: There are now studentships available from the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA). These prestigious and competitive awards are intended to attract outstanding students from around the world, irrespective of nationality, to study for a PhD in Scotland.

  • Other Funding Opportunities: Candidates from oversees may be able to obtain funding for a postgraduate degree in Glasgow from their own government. Also, there now exist Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards (DHPA) which is a new UK initiative to bring outstanding students from India, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and the developing world to come and study for Ph.D.s in top rated UK research facilities. More details on these and other possibilities may be found on the University's Scholarship information page.

Also note that applicants to the Physical Sciences Graduate School who do not speak English as a first language require a minimum score of 550 in the TOEFL test or 6.0 in the IELTS test administered by the British Council or a suitable equivalent.


Application Procedure

To apply, candidates should follow the Faculty applications procedure.

If you are interested in applying to do postgraduate research with us and have any more questions about our group which are not dealt with here, or have further questions about the admissions procedure or funding, please feel free to contact our postgraduate admissions tutor, Dr David Miller.