Overview
The scientific research within the School of Mathematics and Physics was highly rated in the 2014 REF peer-review exercise, with 70% of research being judged as internationally excellent or world-leading.
Physics Highlights
Career Development:
Queen's graduates from Physics have secured employment through a number of companies such as Allstate, AquaQ Analytics, Citigroup, Deloitte, First Derivatives, PwC, Randox, Seagate, Teach First and UCAS. In addition, Belfast has been ranked as the world’s most business friendly small-medium sized city (Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence, 2018)
Career Prospects
Alumni Success
Our graduates have progressed into jobs such as Data Scientist, Software Engineer, Financial Software Developer, IT Graduate Associate, Technology Consultant, Research Physicist, Telescope Operator and R&D Engineer.
Assessment
Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.
This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.
The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce. If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
Queen's University Belfast
University Road,
Belfast,
Northern Ireland,
BT7 1NN, NORTHERN IRELAND, Northern Ireland
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
One of the oldest universities in the UK, Queen’s University Belfast boasts an impressive track record of continued excellence.