university of toronto physics phd application

Department of Physics

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School of Graduate Studies

How to apply, 1. choose your program.

Explore our programs. Chances are, we’ve got what you’re looking for.

View / download our Graduate Student Viewbook (2023–24) for more information (PDF) .

2. Learn about Admissions Requirements

Confirm your program’s admission requirements by consulting the SGS Calendar . Visit your graduate unit’s website to confirm application procedures and deadlines. Some requirements you should consider: prerequisite degrees and courses, minimum GPA, application deadlines, and confirmation of supervision

3. Prepare Your Application

Review all the admission requirements for your chosen program. Plan enough time to submit your application and all supporting documents before the deadline. Note that referees will only receive reference requests when you pay the application fee, so give your referees plenty of time to submit their references.

4. Apply Online

Apply through GradApp .

You will create a personal profile and begin the submission. Set aside 30-60 minutes to create a personal profile on our online application system, including your personal information and academic history. Please note that you will not be able to make changes to this information after paying the application fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering how to apply from overseas? Looking for a supervisor? Search the FAQs and get the answers you need.

Financial Support

Do you have questions about your financial situation? Reach out to your Graduate Unit for more information about funding packages. For details about awards, scholarships and emergency funding, explore the opportunities .

Doctoral-stream graduate programs at the University of Toronto offer a range of financial supports to graduate students to offset the cost of their graduate education.

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Statement for International Applicants: Our outstanding graduate program provides full funding and many of our graduates go on to have remarkable careers. We generally receive a large number of international applications with only a few spots available in our program. As a result, our admission rate for international students is below 5%.

Dunlap Graduate Fellowship in Instrumentation Funded by the Dunlap Institute, this fellowship supports students who intend to develop astronomical instrumentation for cutting-edge science as a major part of their PhD thesis. Multiple faculty in both the Institute and the Department work on world-class instrumentation projects that range from the ultraviolet to radio wavelengths. The fellowship will fund students who are supervised by these faculty and engage in the development of these exciting instrumentation projects. Students who wish to be specifically considered for this fellowship are asked to indicate so in their research statement.

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September 2024 Admissions

We have only one admissions round annually for September entry. The admissions application for September 2024 entry will open October 16, 2023. The deadline for both domestic and international applicants is December 8, 2023.

Note that the emphasis of our graduate programs is doctoral level research. The default point of entry for an applicant with a qualifying bachelor’s degree is the direct-entry PhD degree program.

We are currently offering fee waivers to applicants self-identifying as being in one of the following two categories:

• Indigenous applicants from Canada and the United States
• Black domestic* applicants *Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada).

Applicants are asked to apply for the fee waiver by sending a brief email to  [email protected] , and the waiver will be granted as long as sufficient funds remain to support the waivers. Please note that we are only able to offer a fee waiver as a one-time exception. (Requests for a future admissions cycle will not be granted if you have received a prior waiver.)

Degree Programs

The Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics offers dynamic and competitive doctoral programs which emphasize research. Students in our direct-entry PhD are immediately engaged in research in the first year of the program through two consecutive research projects, each under the supervision of a different faculty member.

The department is actively engaged in a wide range of observational and theoretical research . Close ties with the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Centre for Planetary Sciences (CPS) further enhance the opportunities to interact with leading researchers and provide great flexibility to students with a broad array of interests giving them the option to work with a supervisor from one of these sibling units.

We provide two doctoral degree tracks:

PhD-U (Direct Entry) : for applicants with a qualifying bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. This track is structured as a five year program which in its first year combines coursework with intensive research.

Since many universities do not offer extensive undergraduate training in astronomy and astrophysics, a substantive background in physics that includes a significant number of advanced courses (preferably including electromagnetism and quantum mechanics) along with a solid mathematical foundation may be considered acceptable preparation.

PhD : for applicants with an MSc degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics or an MSc degree in another appropriate discipline deemed equivalent may be considered for admissions to the PhD program. This track is a four-year program focused on a doctoral thesis project. Please note that it is up to the Admissions Committee to determine whether the applicant’s MSc degree is sufficient for entry to the PhD program; alternately the applicant may be considered for admissions to the PhD U (direct entry) track.

Admissions Criteria

Please refer to our graduate admissions criteria document for details on the evaluation process.

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Physics: introduction, faculty affiliation.

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

• Master of Science in Physics (University of Toronto) / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma) / Master in Physics (Université Paris-Saclay);
• Master of Science in Physics (University of Toronto) / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma) / Master in Physics (Universidade do Porto)

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

• Physics, MSc, PhD

The Department of Physics carries out research in experimental and theoretical physics in the following fields: atomic and molecular physics; biological physics; earth, atmospheric, and planetary physics; quantum optics and quantum information; quantum condensed matter physics; and subatomic physics and astrophysics. The department is involved in many collaborative efforts and has close ties to institutes worldwide.

Contact and Address

Web: www.physics.utoronto.ca Email: [email protected] Telephone: (416) 978-2945 Fax: (416) 978-1547

Department of Physics University of Toronto Room 315, McLennan Physical Labs Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A7 Canada

Physics: Graduate Faculty

Full members, members emeriti, associate members, physics: physics msc, master of science.

Admissions to Option 3: Coursework plus MSc Research Thesis have been administratively suspended. See amendment made on September 25, 2023.

Program Description

The MSc program is directed primarily to qualified students seeking a career in scientific research, with an emphasis on doctoral-stream studies. The MSc can be taken both with or without a thesis, the latter being the norm.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Physics' additional admission requirements stated below.

An appropriate bachelor's degree with a final-year average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto mid-B.

Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

Students normally complete the program requirements in one of three ways:

Option 1: Coursework plus MSc Research Report:

graduate lecture courses (3.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs]);

a Research Report, which consists of a 6000-series research course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE) and PHY3400Y (1.0 FCE).

Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project:

graduate lecture courses (2.0 FCEs);

a 6000-series research course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE);

a Research Project, which consists of a 7000-series seminar course appropriate to the field of physics (1.0 FCE) and PHY3400Y (1.0 FCE).

Option 3: Coursework plus MSc Research Thesis:

selection of the program is made by the student and faculty advisor in consultation with the Associate Chair.

MSc students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

The residence requirement is one year, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

3 years full-time

Physics: Physics MSc (Dual Degree: MSc / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma; Université Paris-Saclay))

Dual degree program: master of science in physics (university of toronto) / master in physics (sapienza università di roma) / master in physics (université paris-saclay).

The University of Toronto MSc in Physics participates in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) program of the QUAntum Research Master Education Network (QUARMEN). This dual degree program provides a pathway for students to complete degrees at the Université Paris-Saclay (France) and Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" (Italy). At the University of Toronto, students complete the Master of Science (MSc) in Physics’ Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project. Students are not eligible to take the other options.

In the Fall session of Year 1, students register in the Laurea Magistrale in Fisica at Sapienza Università di Roma. In the Winter and Summer sessions of Year 1, students register in the Master de physique at Université Paris-Saclay. In Year 2, students attend all three sessions (Fall, Winter, Summer) at the University of Toronto and complete Option 2 of the MSc in Physics.

Upon successful completion of the degree program, students who participate in EMJM and attend the University of Toronto as part of their participation in QUARMEN will receive three parchments, including the MSc in Physics degree from the University of Toronto.

Master of Science in Physics Program Department of Physics, University of Toronto Email: [email protected]

Master of Physics (Le Master de physique) Program Université Paris-Saclay Email: [email protected]

Application Process

Applicants must apply through the QUARMEN admissions website . Applicants are then jointly selected and admitted by a Selection Board composed of at least one appointed faculty member from each partner institution.

All applicants who are admitted to the dual degree program must then also complete the application on U of T’s School of Graduate Studies online admissions application system .

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the regular admission requirements of the MSc in Physics and the overall admission requirements of QUARMEN.

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Physics: Physics MSc (Dual Degree: MSc / Master in Physics (Sapienza Università di Roma; Universidade do Porto))

Dual degree program: master of science in physics (university of toronto) / master in physics (sapienza università di roma) / master in physics (universidade do porto).

The University of Toronto MSc in Physics participates in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master (EMJM) program of the QUAntum Research Master Education Network (QUARMEN). This dual degree program provides a pathway for students to complete degrees at Universidade do Porto (Portugal) and Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" (Italy). At the University of Toronto, students complete the Master of Science (MSc) in Physics’ Option 2: Coursework plus MSc Research Project. Students are not eligible to take the other options.

In the Fall session of Year 1, students register in the Laurea Magistrale in Fisica (Master's Degree in Physics) at Sapienza Università di Roma. In the Winter and Summer sessions of Year 1, students register in the Mestrado em Física (Master in Physics) at Universidade do Porto (Portugal). In Year 2, students attend all three sessions (Fall, Winter, Summer) at the University of Toronto and complete Option 2 of the MSc in Physics.

Physics: Physics PhD

Doctor of philosophy.

The Department of Physics offers excellent quality and breadth of research fields. Its internationally leading research teams, in both theory and experiment, operate across a broad spectrum of topics as well as collaborative specializations in interdisciplinary subjects. Graduates work in government, industry, and education around the world.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master’s degree; 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

An appropriate University of Toronto master's degree with an average of at least B+ or demonstrated comparable research competence.

The core of the PhD program is an original investigation, the results of which are embodied in a thesis. Lecture courses constitute a subsidiary but important part of the program. Consult the department for details.

Complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) : graduate lecture courses and a thesis . Course credit will normally be given towards the PhD for all graduate lecture courses taken during a master's program in this department. Students who have completed an appropriate MSc elsewhere and are entering the PhD program will generally be given a course credit of up to 2.0 FCEs in graduate lecture courses towards their PhD course requirement.

Complete a qualifying oral examination . Students must complete the qualifying examination within eight months. Students who fail at the first attempt have the opportunity to take the examination again within a time period specified by the examination committee.

Students are expected to attend the weekly general colloquium conducted by the department.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Outstanding applicants may be considered directly from undergraduate programs. Normally, these applicants will have an undergraduate average of A or higher.

Complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) : graduate lecture courses and a thesis .

Students must complete a qualifying oral examination within 20 months. Students who fail at the first attempt have the opportunity to take the examination again within a time period specified by the examination committee.

Physics: Physics MSc, PhD Courses

All courses are not given every year. Please check the departmental brochure or website for course availability .

Introductory Courses

General courses, professional development, specialized courses, report course for msc students.

+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

Seminar Courses

Research courses.

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PhD in Medical Biophysics - Medical Physics Specialization

In addition to our  graduate programs , the Department of Medical Biophysics offers a CAMPEP  -accredited specialization for PhD students interested in a Medical Physics career. Medical Physics spans research, development, and clinical trials involving medical imaging and radiotherapy technologies.

In this specialization within our PhD program, students complete a thesis-based PhD, while completing a structured medical physics course curriculum. The specialized program provides a research-intensive environment that immerses students in clinical technologies pertinent to medical imaging, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. Cutting edge research involving machine learning, theranostics, and heavy particle therapy are ongoing. Students gain skills to pursue the production of high quality research and develop leadership skills.

Upon completion of their PhD, students who fulfill the Medical Physics course curriculum receive a letter of attestation from the Program Director , certifying that all required courses and modules have been successfully completed.

More information about the program can be found below.

Admission Requirements - Medical Physics Specialization within the Medical Biophysics PhD program

Students wanting to enroll in the Medical Physics PhD Specialization must first apply to and be accepted into the Medical Biophysics PhD program . Admission consideration to the Medical Biophysics PhD requires:

completion of an appropriate master's degree from a recognized university 

a minimum A- average in the final two years of study. This is flexible for those demonstrating exceptional aptitude for research.

submission and evaluation of all supplemental application material as outlined on the  Admission Requirements and Deadlines  page of our website.

an admissions interview for all candidates who are a potential fit for the program.

To be eligible for admission to the Medical Physics PhD specialization, students must also have:

completed an undergraduate degree in physics or an equivalent, relevant quantitative physical or engineering science, or have least three upper level (3rd or 4th year) half-courses in traditional physics such as classical mechanics/dynamics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetic theory thermal physics, atomic/nuclear physics, optical physics, or laboratory physics. Applicants with a non-physics majors must have coursework that is equivalent to a minor in physics, as defined by the University of Toronto, involving upper-level physics (e.g., PHY356H1, PHY357H1) and calculus courses.

their supervisor's approval in order to be eligible for a transfer into the Medical Physics PhD Specialization. This type of transfer must be completed by the end of their first year of study as a PhD student.

students must notify the program director and the MBP office within 1 year of beginning their PhD program.

For more information on admission requirements and application procedures for MBP Graduate programs, please visit the  Admission Requirements and Deadlines  page.

Courses - Medical Physics PhD Specialization

In addition to the mandatory course requirements of the MBP PhD program, students enrolled in the MBP PhD Medical Physics Specialization will be required to complete the following courses:

MBP 1023H: Clinical Radiation Physics and Dosimetry

MBP 1301H: Radiation Oncology: Clinical & Experimental Radiobiology

MBP 1407H: Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Overview

MBP 1411H: Overview of Medical Imaging

MBP 1412H: Ultrasound Overview

MBP 1415H: Radiotherapy Physics

MBP 1416H: Anatomy & Physiology (for Non-Specialists or Physicists)

MBP 1417H: Introduction to Health Physics

Please note that modules are available to all MBP students with suitable prerequisites. They can be taken pre-emptively for MSc students who are considering reclassification into the PhD Specialization.

For more information about courses, including detailed course descriptions, please refer to the MBP Course Modules page .

CAMPEP Accredited Postgraduate Information

CAMPEP (Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs) and SDAMPP (Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs) require all medical physics education programs to post and maintain data regarding student statistics as indicated below.

Subscribe to our Email List for prospective Graduate Students.

Physics (MSc, PhD)

Part of the Faculty of Science

Program Overview

Format : Full-time

Degree Earned : Master of Science or PhD

If you are looking for a challenging career with a positive social impact, this is it. Physics is an exciting, cutting-edge, multidisciplinary field in which MSc and PhD graduate degrees lead to a career in research, biomedical technology or clinical medical physics . Graduate students seeking to enter a medical physics residency program may pursue a CAMPEP accreditation in Medical Physics , which distinguishes our programs.

At a Glance

Admissions Information

• Completion of a four-year undergraduate (or equivalent) degree in physics, biology, engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, or mathematics from an accredited institution
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) or equivalent of 3.33/4.33 (B+) in the last two years of study
• Statement of interest
• Transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency requirement
• Completion of a master’s degree in physics, engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Minimum GPA or equivalent of 3.67/4.33 (A-)

More information on  admission requirements . Due to the competitive nature of our programs, it is not possible to offer admission to everyone who applies that meets the minimum entrance requirements for the program. 

Program-specific requirements

Check Application Deadline

Students are encouraged to submit applications prior to the first consideration date to increase their chances of securing financial support for their graduate studies. Applications received after the first consideration date will be accepted and reviewed based on spaces remaining in the program.

See application dates .

Financing Your Studies

For detailed graduate tuition and fees information please visit  Fees by Program .

For information on scholarships, awards and financing your graduate studies visit  Financing Your Studies.

Fields of Study/Research Areas

Fields of study.

• Biomedical Physics - Gain advanced training in the complex interactions of the physical and biological worlds — at the intersection of physics and medicine. The curriculum equips students to meet the large demand for individuals skilled in applying physics-based concepts and methodologies to the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
• CAMPEP Medical Physics - Available at both the MSc and PhD levels, our programs are the only ones in the Greater Toronto Area to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education (CAMPEP).
• Complex Systems - Join an exciting, rapidly growing research area, with broad scope and potential for rich, interdisciplinary collaboration. Our program provides students with a comprehensive foundation in complex systems and interdisciplinary research methods.

Research Areas

The faculty members in the program conduct research in novel ways to model, describe, detect, image and treat diseases through computational and experimental approaches.

Medical Imaging

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Optical Imaging
• Photoacoustic Imaging
• Ultrasound Imaging

Treatment Modalities

• Laser Therapies
• Ultrasound Therapies
• Nanoparticle Mediated Therapies/Theragnostics
• Radiation Therapy and Treatment Planning

Virophysics

• Computational/Mathematical modelling of virus infections in vivo and in vitro

Health Physics

• Toxic and Trace Element Detection in Humans

Physics (MSc, PhD) graduate program calendar

Research Labs

As a student, you will have access to the following research labs:

• Virophysics Computer Laboratory
• Optical Spectroscopy Laboratory
• Biological Systems and Cell Culture Laboratory
• Biomedical Optics Laboratory
• X-ray Fluorescence Laboratory
• Innovative Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Metrology Laboratory
• Radiochemistry & Nanotechnology Laboratory

Located at St. Michael's Hospital

• Advanced Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging and Therapy Laboratory
• Biomicroscopy and Cellular Imaging Laboratory 
• Photo-Acoustics Laboratory

Graduate Admissions

Admissions information and how to apply

Graduate Studies Admissions Office 11th Floor, 1 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON Telephone: 416-979-5150 Email:  [email protected]

For information specific to programs please see the program contact information below.

Program Contacts

Dr. Raffi Karshafian Graduate Program Director PhD Research areas: Ultrasound and microbubble mediated therapeutic applications in targeted drug delivery (chemotherapy) and enhancing therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy. Acoustic behaviour of microbubble contrast agents Telephone:  416-979-5000 ext. 557536 Email:  [email protected]

Sophia Finos Graduate Program Administrator Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 554670 Email:  [email protected]

"The most exciting part of my research is the potential that bench discoveries will one day impact the delivery of health care as well as advance basic science. [TMU] provides the ideal scientific and academic incubator for success and innovation." Eno Hysi, PhD candidate

Student Profile:  The Seeds of Cancer  (external link) 

Michael Moore (biomedical physics PhD alumnus) uses photoacoustic imaging to "listen" to tumour cells. Michael conducts his research at iBEST, a partnership between Toronto Metropolitan University and St. Michael's Hospital.

Find curriculum, course descriptions and important dates for Physics (MSc, PhD).

Once you’ve made an informed choice about which program(s) you are going to apply to, preparing your application requires careful research and planning.

At Toronto Metropolitan University, we understand that pursuing graduate studies is a significant financial investment. Funding comes from a combination of employment contracts (as a teaching assistant), scholarships, awards and stipends. There are a number of additional funding sources – internal and external – available to graduate students that can increase these funding levels.

As an urban innovation university, Toronto Metropolitan University offers 60+ cutting-edge, career-oriented graduate programs, as well as 125+ research centres, institutes and labs, in a wide range of disciplines. Our close connections with industry, government and community partners provide opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and make a difference.

Physics - PhD at Waterloo

Program information.

Watch the How to apply to Waterloo graduate studies video

What does it take to get in?

Minimum admission requirements

• Normally a Master's degree in Physics, with at least a 75% standing
• Students with an undergraduate degree in Physics may apply for admission directly to the PhD program. Successful applicants will have an outstanding academic record, breadth of knowledge in physics, and strong letters of recommendation

Supervisors

• Review the finding a supervisor resources

Application material

• Note: This application document is currently not required due to COVID-19
• The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the  application documents web page for more information about this requirement
• If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the  writing your personal statement resources  for helpful tips and tricks on completion
• Transcript(s)
• Three academic  references  are required
• TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

How much will it cost?

• Use the student budget calculator to estimate your cost and resources 
• Visit the  graduate program tuition page  on the Finance website to determine the tuition and incidental fees per term for your program
• Review the  study and living costs
• Review the funding graduate school resources for graduate students

What can you expect at Waterloo?

• Review the degree requirements  on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree
• Check out profiles of current graduate students to learn about their experience at Waterloo
• Check out Waterloo's institutional thesis repository - UWspace  to see recent submissions from the Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate students
• Check out the Waterloo campus and city tours
• Review the  Department of Physics and Astronomy  website to see information about supervisors, research areas, news, and events

This program page is effective September 2023; it will be updated annually.  Any changes to the program page following this date will be indicated with a notation. 

We strive to provide you with the necessary information on each of our program pages.  Was there something you found helpful?  Was there anything missing?  Share your thoughts .

Program Contact

Sophie Gagnon at [email protected]

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)

Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201

Graduate Studies Academic Calendar

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The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations .

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Centre for Doctoral Training in Algebra, Geometry and Mathematical Physics PhD with Integrated Study

Awards: PhD with Integrated Study

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Placements/internships

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

View sessions and register

Research profile

The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Algebra, Geometry and Mathematical Physics aims to train graduate students to research excellence in diverse disciplines, such as:

• pure mathematics

mathematical and theoretical physics, including:

• quantum field theory
• gauge theory

You will navigate the many vibrant interfaces among these disciplines, learning to communicate ideas fluently across different areas of mathematics and physics, and harnessing the power of interfaces to advance research.

You will incorporate advanced computing methods in your research and will have the opportunity to work with some of our 30+ partners in the international academic community, industry, and the third sector.

You will train together in cohorts, combining multiple disciplines and backgrounds. You will be supported to work on short group projects and to participate in a variety of activities to enhance your mathematical/scientific breadth and communication skills.

Programme structure

As part of the structure of our PhD with integrated studies, you must study taught courses while completing the research elements of a traditional PhD programme.

We have designed the programme to be flexible in the way credits are acquired. However, you must successfully complete 180 taught credits over the first 3 years, plus the equivalent of 3 years of PhD research, spread over the 4-year programme.

The 180 taught credits consist of:

• 30 credits of mandatory cohort activities in Year 1 including a group project
• 30 credits of advanced computing coursework and a computing project in Year 2
• 30 credits from an internship/placement during the Year 3

The remaining 90 credits can be accrued in Years 1-2 by completing six courses from a broad selection offered across algebra, geometry, mathematical physics, and their interfaces; and/or participating in approved reading groups or seminars.

Work placements/internships

Every student will have a placement during Year 3, lasting approximately 3 months. During the placement, you will use and expand skills developed during their CDT training. The placements will involve working with one of our partners, either:

• as a visitor in another academic research group
• in industry, with a variety of companies connecting mathematics and physics with data and technology
• in the third sector, e.g. engaging in outreach in the UK or internationally

Training and support

As part of a new cohort-based training centre, students will receive extensive additional training beyond their thesis research, with emphasis on communication and leadership skills as well as research computing skills.

You will be part of a world-class and interdisciplinary research community at the University of Edinburgh as well as our partner institutions, Heriot-Watt University and the University of Glasgow (where there will also be students participating in the CDT cohort).

You will have access at all three institutions facilities, including:

• common meeting and study space
• participation in research seminars, with a wide array of international visitors.

They will also be able to participate virtually in activities at the different institutions.

Students enrolled in the CDT at the University of Edinburgh will have dedicated desk space in Year 1 in the state-of-the-art Bayes Centre, where many cohort activities will take place); and in Years 2-4 in the James Clerk Maxwell Building.

Career opportunities

Graduates on this degree will be well-prepared to find employment and to become leaders in a diverse array of industries, including:

• academia and research

industrial sectors, including:

• consultancy
• cryptography and security
• quantum technologies

third sectors, including:

• public engagement

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK first class honours degree, or its international equivalent, in an appropriate subject related to the CDT; or a UK 2:1 honours degree plus a UK masters degree, or their international equivalents; or relevant qualifications and experience.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

• Fees and costs

Read our general information on tuition fees and studying costs:

Scholarships and funding

The CDT will be seeking to fund approx. 8 studentships for each cohort, with up to a further 8 through matched and other funding sources, with the ambition to create diverse cohorts of students from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Studentship funding may be subject to eligibility requirements as set by the programme funder. We will conduct eligibility assessments as part of the application process and applicants will be automatically considered for studentship funding.

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• CDT Manager
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 5085
• Contact: [email protected]
• CDT Academic Director, Professor David Jordan
• Contact: [email protected]
• Mathematics Graduate School
• James Clerk Maxwell Building
• Peter Guthrie Tait Road
• The King's Buildings Campus
• School: Mathematics
• College: Science & Engineering

Applications for 2024/25 entry are now closed. Applications for entry in Sept 2025 will open on 01 October 2024.

Start date: September 2024

Awards: PhD with Integrated Study (48 mth FT, 96 mth PT)

Application deadlines

Applications received before the deadline will receive full consideration. Applications received after the deadline will be considered in a rolling fashion until places are filled.

• How to apply

You must submit an application via the EUCLID application portal and provide the required information and documentation. This will include submission of: *a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• degree certificates and official transcripts of all completed and in-progress degrees (plus certified translations if academic documents are not issued in English)
• two academic references

Only complete applications will progress forward to the academic selection stage.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

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Physics & Astrophysics Programs and Supervisors

SPECIALIST PROGRAMS

      ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS       Supervisor of Studies: Phil Heron; Email:  [email protected]

      ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS (CO-OP)       Supervisor of Studies:  Phil Heron; Email:  [email protected]       Co-op Contact:  [email protected]

      PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES       Supervisor of Studies:P. Artymowicz (416-287-7244) Email:  [email protected]

      PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS       Supervisor of Studies: Julian Lowman (416-208-4880) Email:  [email protected]

MAJOR PROGRAMS

      PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS       Supervisor of Studies:Julian Lowman (416-208-4880) Email:  [email protected] July 1/23 - Dec 31/23       H. Rein Email:  [email protected] Jan 1/24 - Jun 30/24

      PHYSICAL SCIENCES       Supervisor of Studies: P. Artymowicz (416-287-7244) Email:  [email protected]

MINOR PROGRAMS

      MINOR PROGRAM IN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS (SCIENCE)       Supervisor of Studies: D. Weaver (416-287-7248) Email:  [email protected]

COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAMS

      HONOURS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE / MASTER OF ENGINEERING       Mandy Meriano(416-208-2775) Email:   [email protected]

      HONOURS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE / MASTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE       Combined Degree Programs Coordinator, Email:  [email protected]

      HONOURS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE OR HONOURS BACHELOR OF ARTS / MASTER OF TEACHING       Combined Degree Programs Coordinator, Email:  [email protected]