About the UROP

The Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosts the Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP), annually accepting approximately 5-7 students. Students (from any University) currently in their second year and above are welcome to apply. Candidates who are set to start on a PhD programme in the autumn of 2025 will normally not be offered a place. Due to UK visa regulations, all candidates must have existing right to work in the UK.

Students will work with a supervisor in the Department, usually a research fellow or a faculty member (a list of whom will be available on this website closer to the application date), on a self-contained research project. Students are encouraged to take part in the Department’s life, joining researchers for coffee breaks, discussions and seminars. 

The projects will typically run for 8-10 weeks, beginning on, or around, 1st July. The duration may be adjusted to be shorter or longer, or to accommodate summer travel. We are offering a 30-hour working week paid at the living-wage rate. 

Application Process

Applications for the UROP program are closed for 2025. Applications for summer 2026 will open in January/February 2026 with a likely due date of mid March 2026. Applicants are asked to submit a one-page-only application and an academic reference letter. Offers are likely to be made in early April.

For any administrative queries, contact Joy Blanchard (tpadmin@physics.ox.ac.uk).