About us
The Department of Physics is one of the major centres for Physics teaching and research in the University of London. It has an international reputation for its research, which ranges from fundamental studies in the basic properties of matter (at the lowest temperatures and highest energies) to advanced applications of Physics. Our expertise across the whole subject - combined with an excellent record for teaching - enables us to offer a wide and attractive range of undergraduate degree programmes| covering different areas of Physics. Our high standards are supported by excellent specialist facilities.
The department consists of approximately 23 full-time academic staff, a further 8 emeritus and visiting professors and two teaching fellows. In addition, there are approximately 12 research officers and 40 postgraduate students. Technical support for teaching and research is provided by a dozen technical staff. The undergraduate intake is typically 60 per year.
The department maintains strong collaborative links, both nationally and internationally, in all of its major research areas. These include major international facilities at CERN|, ISIS|, Diamond Light Source|, National Physical Laboratory| and with numerous other university- and industry-based departments in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
The Physics Department research is also supported by world-class Physics facilities, including the London Low Temperature Laboratory, the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, and large-scale GRID computing facilities. Our location, close to other major institutes (including those of STFC on the Harwell Camput and SEPnet and the National Physical Laboratory) provides excellent access to further outstanding research facilities.
Our teaching is strongly linked to the other departments of Physics in the University of London, particularly through collaborative teaching agreements for the MSci fourth year. Royal Holloway University of London is a leading member of the South East Physics Network (SEPnet|) , a consortium of six institutions that provides advanced research opportunities, and a regional programme of outreach and employer engagement.
We are proud to be one of only six Physics Departments in the UK to have achieved Champion status in the Institute of Physics’s Project Juno, which aims to address a range of equal opportunities issues including the current under-representation of women in Physics.
We run a vibrant summer internship programme| for our students, as well as for visitors from overseas. This programme is coordinated with national and international laboratories and our regional research partners. It offers a wide range of both academic research and industrial placements to undergraduate students for a six- to eight-week period over the summer vacation.