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School of Physics and Astronomy

We use physics to advance our understanding of the universe and develop technological breakthroughs, with our outstanding teaching programmes and inclusive environment inspiring future generations.

Courses

Study at a top ten university for physics, where our consistently high NSS scores show that teaching and student experience are a top priority.

Research

From quantum to cosmological scales, our researchers strive to solve problems at the forefront of physics and astronomy.

8th for physics in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2025)

About us

The Guardian University 2025 rankings recognise us as one of the UK's top 10 universities for physics.

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Engagement

Engagement is fundamental to us; we're passionate about inspiring young people and communities to engage with science.

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Equality and diversity

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity among our staff and students.


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When I was finishing my A levels I liked semiconductor, solid state physics and astrophysics. I chose Cardiff University as it has a good reputation in all of them - it was part of the discovery of gravitational waves in 2015 and there’s a really active condensed matter and photonics department in theTranslational Research Hub.

Lille MPhys Physics