How to apply
Funding
We receive PhD funding from the STFC and from Queen Mary University of London, and typically recruit 2–3 fully funded PhD students each year. These studentships usually cover tuition fees and a living stipend for 3–4 years, depending on the funding source.
Additional opportunities may be available through external schemes, including CSC studentships for eligible Chinese students. Further information on doctoral funding at Queen Mary can be found here.
We may also consider suitably qualified applicants who have secured external funding or are self-funded.
Our PhD graduates have an excellent record of progressing to postdoctoral positions at leading institutions worldwide, as well as to successful careers in industry and other professional sectors.
Diversity and widening participation
The IOP Bell Burnell Fund supports initiatives that increase diversity in physics, particularly with respect to gender, ethnicity, and other sources of social disadvantage. Applicants interested in applying through this scheme should contact Congkao Wen before the start of the application season (typically in November).
The School will normally nominate one candidate for support through this scheme, with internal decisions made in December or early January. Support for international applicants through this route is uncommon unless additional funding sources are available.
S&E Doctoral Research Studentships for Underrepresented Groups (2026/27)
The Queen Mary Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Doctoral College invite applications for doctoral studentships from UK candidates from groups underrepresented in research in the UK.
Up to six PhD studentships will be awarded based on academic excellence. These awards cover tuition fees and a maintenance stipend for up to 3.5 years.
Applicants must be UK permanent residents from an underrepresented group in research and eligible to pay home student fees. Priority in this round is given to applicants of Black origin.
Further details are available here:
S&E Doctoral Research Studentships for Underrepresented Groups [PDF]
Expected start date: 1 September 2026
Application deadline: 28 January 2026
Application procedure
Applications should be submitted through the Queen Mary online application system:
When applying, please select the option “Semester 1 start” in the “Apply Online” section.
Important: Applicants are not required to contact a supervisor before applying, nor to submit a detailed research proposal. If you have a particular interest in the research area of one or more group members, you may indicate this in your application. Discussions about specific projects and supervisors usually take place during the interview stage.
Application deadline: 28 January 2026
Shortlisted candidates are typically interviewed shortly after the deadline, with offers normally made before the end of March.
References: Applicants must provide the contact details of referees in their application. Please ensure that reference letters are submitted by the application deadline, as applications are reviewed soon after the deadline.
Interview dates: February–March (exact dates to be confirmed)
For general information about postgraduate study at Queen Mary, please see the Queen Mary postgraduate study pages.
For questions about the application procedure, please contact our Research Officer, Robert Miles.
Occasionally we may have funding available for late applications. Please contact us to enquire.
English language requirements
Applicants must satisfy the Queen Mary English language requirements. Accepted qualifications include:
- IELTS: minimum overall score of 6.5
- TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 92
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Full details are available on the Queen Mary English language requirements page.
International applicants may also find useful information on the Queen Mary International Students website.