We usually expect to be able to award up to three Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) studentships each year. We are also able to offer studentships through some other programmes, including Queen Mary Postgraduate Research studentships. Other studentship opportunities will be advertised on the web site as they arise.
Applications open in October at the start of each academic year. For entry in 2024, to be considered for award of an STFC or College studentship, applications should be submitted by 31st January 2025. Applications made after that date may still be considered for studentships depending on availability. A shortlist of candidates will be selected and invited for interview in mid-February, after which offers of studentships will be made. In the case of applications from overseas the interview may be conducted over the telephone or by teleconference. Applications depending on self-funding or an external source of funding are invited at any time.
IMPORTANT: To access the online application form please:
Please use the link for Full Time research degrees. You will be asked to enter your information and will have the opportunity to upload supporting material including:
Applicants will also be asked to give the details of two referees who will be contacted directly by QMUL to submit a reference. Further information including guidance notes can be found here. If necessary you can save the information and continue the application at a later time. You are encouraged to contact us before applying if you want to ask questions about possible research projects.
The Statement of Purpose and Research Proposal are both important documents in the admissions process. The Statement of Purpose is to allow you to describe your previous achievements, research experience and future plans, etc. It helps us to come to decisions based on the personal abilities and aspirations of an applicant. The Research Proposal is more specific in terms of research you wish to do in your PhD (although this can be quite broad), but again this enables us to assess your writing skills and general preliminary knowledge of the subject. While discussion of your project plans with a potential supervisor is optional, we would encourage you to do this before you apply, and if you do have this discussion we would recommend writing your research proposal with the results of this discussion taken into account. The Statement of Purpose and Research Proposal should be no longer than one A4 page each.
If you have any questions or require further details please contact the Astronomy Unit PhD admission tutor Dr Tim Clifton. For more general enquiries please contact the Postgraduate Programmes Officer Robert Miles via email (r.miles@qmul.ac.uk), or in writing at the following address:
Postgraduate Admissions School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS
The normal minimum entry requirement is an upper second class honours degree in Physics, Astronomy or Astrophysics, Mathematics, or in a subject with substantial physics and/or mathematics content. Candidates with alternative qualifications or an appropriate level of research experience gained in the workplace may also be accepted, subject to College approval. Acceptance of candidates for studentships will also depend on any eligibility criteria specified by the funding body.
For selection of studentships we will draw up a shortlist of applicants who will be invited to interview. This year, we anticipate that all interviews will be conducted by video calls. The interview will normally last for approximately 30 minutes, and candidates should be prepared to discuss technical issues relevant to the subject area of their proposed research, in addition to describing any relevant project work they have conducted during their undergraduate or Masters-level education.