Welcome to the Department of Physics.
The Department of Physics at Royal Holloway 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.
Our facilities
Our facilities include the London Low Temperature Laboratory, the Superfab nanofabrication facility, the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Grid computing equipment and a Schimdt-Cassegrain telescope on the roof of our building. Our location means we are close to other major institutes such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council on the Harwell Campus and SEPnet as well as the National Physical Laboratory giving us access to further outstanding research facilities.
Strong links
We maintain strong collaborative links, both nationally and internationally, in all of our major research areas. These include major international facilities at CERN, ISIS, Diamond Light Source, National Physical Laboratory, LIGO Scientific Collaboration, the Euclid Consortium and with other universities as well as industry-based departments in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
High-quality teaching
The National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 results have confirmed the outstanding level of satisfaction with teaching and overall experience among students in the Department of Physics at Royal Holloway. We remain firmly committed to delivering a high-quality academic experience to our students in a supportive and inclusive community.
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 is a leading member of the South East Physics Network (SEPnet) – a consortium of institutions that provides advanced research opportunities and a regional programme of outreach and employer engagement.
We are proud to be one of the few Physics Departments in the UK to have achieved Champion status in the Institute of Physics’ Project Juno, which aims to address a range of equal opportunity issues including the current under-representation of women in Physics.
We also hold a Silver Athena SWAN award which recognises our staff and students benefit from an inclusive environment where equality of opportunity is valued. We are committed to continuing our good practice and promoting good practice to all.
Internships
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.
Contact
Find our contact information at the Contact us page
