skip to content

Postgraduate Study

Funding Opportunities

The Department of Physics has a number of studentships available, including from the UK Research Councils and funds managed by the Department of Physics. Eligible applicants will be automatically considered for these awards if they enter the University funding competition.

Other funding opportunities offered by colleges will have different deadlines, which will be listed on their webpages.

General Funding Opportunities


Fees and Maintenance

My fee status is:

I shall have the following financial dependants:

Your Estimated Annual Commitment:

Component Cost
University Composition Fee £10,878
Maintenance £19,860
Total Annual Commitment £30,738

Students may have to bear additional costs related to PhD-associated fieldwork and/or research trips/long-term attachments. These costs will be specific to the individual student and project. These could also include equipment, books, IT, photocopying, bespoke training, and travel for conferences and summer schools.

Supervisors are often able to cover or contribute towards these costs, depending on the financial resources available. Where not possible, or where research-related costs are not specifically included in a stipend, or if students are self-funded, students will usually be expected to find additional funding elsewhere, e.g., University/College. In some cases, research costs may be much higher, for example, if a long-term attachment is required, and in these cases, applicants should agree with their Supervisor what an appropriate amount might be or consider a more feasible project before accepting an offer or signing the Financial Undertaking Form.

If you study part-time, the University Composition Fee will be 60% of the annual full-time fee for 5 years; or 75% of the annual full-time fee for 4 years. Guidance on calculation of your maintenance costs can be found here: Maintenance costs for part-time students | Postgraduate Study (cam.ac.uk)

Apply Now

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:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2025
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2026

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

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2026
Course Starts
April 17, 2026

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

Michaelmas 2026

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
May 14, 2026
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2026

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

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Oct. 1, 2026
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2027

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

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2027
Course Starts
April 17, 2027

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

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

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


Similar Courses