Department of Physics - Oxford University

We apply the transformative power of physics to the foremost scientific problems; educate the next generation of leading physicists; and promote the public understanding of physics.

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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

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Upcoming events

13 May 2026
A portrait of Porfessor Duffy on a background of the SuperKamikande experiment and a cartoon of neutrinos
Public talks and lectures

Neutrinos, the Universe, and Everything

A public event with guest speaker Professor Kirsty Duffy

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26 May 2026
A portrait of Professor Matias Zaldarriaga, IAS/Princeton University and an illustration of black holes
Public talks and lectures
Alumni events

2026 Halley public lecture

Guest speaker is cosmologist Professor Matias Zaldarriaga (IAS & Princeton University)

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6 June 2026
An image of a nebula taken by the Hubble space telescope, with a dark background, some bright stars, and a structure of orange and blue clouds.
Secondary school events

Year 12 Physics Masterclass (June 2026)

Online masterclass for students in Year 12 who are interested in studying physics at Oxford University.

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8 June 2026
A portrait of Professor Sakai
Public talks and lectures

The Sir Martin Wood Prize Lecture 2026

Professor Takamasa Sakai, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo.

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Department of Physics

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 students in a lecture theatre
Undergraduate
Postgraduate students talking around a blackboard
Postgraduate
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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
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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
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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
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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 of the Department of Physics at an event

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!

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