Department of Physics - Oxford University | University of Oxford Department of Physics

The future is quantum

Find out how our research is building the quantum technologies of tomorrow, how we are educating and inspiring future pioneers of quantum technology and how our research is being applied to real life, right now...

Quantum at Oxford

Latest news and comment

Dr Vaughan awarded RAS thesis prize

Dr Sophia Vaughan has been awarded the Royal Astronomical Society's Michael Penston Thesis Prize following her DPhil at the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics.

3 July 2025

A royal summer of physics

The Department of Physics is taking part in the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition 2025 in London from 1-6 July.

26 June 2025

Artist’s illustration of the RAVEN technique, which measures a complex light pulse using micro foci and spectral dispersion, which is then fed into a neural network for retrieval.

New technique for capturing ultra-intense laser pulses in a single shot

Physicists at the University of Oxford have unveiled a pioneering method for capturing the full structure of ultra-intense laser pulses in a single measurement.

26 June 2025

Creating a quantum future

Events and activities across the Department of Physics are ensuring that people of all ages get to know about how quantum will potentially impact their lives.

25 June 2025

First look: the trailer for Rubin’s movie of the sky

The first images from the extraordinary NSF-DOE Vera C Rubin Observatory have been made public today.

23 June 2025

Jocelyn Bell Burnell appointed Companion of Honour

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell has been appointed Companion of Honour in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for her services to astronomy and physics and to diversity.

14 June 2025

Upcoming events

5 July 2025

This composite color infrared image shows the center of our galaxy

Public events for children and young people

The Art of Astrophysics: Infrared Exoplanet Landscapes

Hands-on workshop exploring art and astrophysics

Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics: The Quantum Strong Force

The Quantum Strong Force

NEW series - Astro Afternoon

An event for alumni, a Saturday afternoon of Astrophysics.

Our research

Our researchers change the world: our understanding of it and how we live in it. We explore the fundamentals – how we got here and the secrets of the universe – as well as the practical from developing next-gen materials to pushing the frontiers of quantum and predicting the future for our planet.

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Launch your studies

Our dynamic programme of outstanding research as well as our specialist research facilities, collaborative research networks and international renown attract the brightest minds from around the world. Come and join them.

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

We work with businesses to share expertise, develop new ideas, provide services and commercialise research and our strong links with business are fundamental to how we work.

For business

We want to spark a passion for physics in young people and we work directly with primary and secondary schools on a local and national scale to encourage physics for all. We want to inspire the physicists of tomorrow.

For schools

Man talking outside with people in background and foreground

We organise a wide range of public events not only to share our passion for physics but also to help people understand our work and see how our research impacts lives.

For the community

Giving

How to support the Department of Physics

Find out how you can support our world-class scientific research and teaching and help the Department of Physics to tackle some of the most urgent and fascinating challenges we face today

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Alumni

Once a physicist, always a physicist...

Our alumni relations office exists to nurture and develop long-lasting relationships between students, staff and friends of the Department of Physics so please do get in touch with ideas, feedback or just to say hello!