• Diversity & Inclusion
  • Community Values
  • Visiting MIT Physics
  • People Directory
  • Faculty Directory
  • History of MIT Physics
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Departmental Committees
  • Academic Programs Team
  • Finance Team
  • Meet the Academic Programs Team
  • Prospective Students
  • Requirements
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Research Opportunities

Graduate Admissions

  • Doctoral Guidelines
  • Financial Support
  • Graduate Student Resources
  • PhD in Physics, Statistics, and Data Science
  • MIT LEAPS Program
  • Physics Student Groups
  • for Undergraduate Students
  • for Graduate Students
  • Mentoring Programs Info for Faculty
  • Non-degree Programs
  • Student Awards & Honors
  • Astrophysics Observation, Instrumentation, and Experiment
  • Astrophysics Theory
  • Atomic Physics
  • Condensed Matter Experiment
  • Condensed Matter Theory
  • High Energy and Particle Theory
  • Nuclear Physics Experiment
  • Particle Physics Experiment
  • Plasma Physics
  • Quantum Gravity and Field Theory
  • Quantum Information Science
  • Strong Interactions and Nuclear Theory
  • Center for Theoretical Physics
  • Affiliated Labs & Centers
  • Program Founder
  • Competition
  • Donor Profiles
  • Patrons of Physics Fellows Society
  • Giving Opportunties
  • Latest Physics News
  • Physics Journal: Fall 2024 Edition
  • Events Calendar
  • Physics Colloquia
  • Search for: Search

Admissions Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Thank you for considering the PhD program in Physics at MIT. Information regarding our graduate program and our application process can be found below and through the following webpages and other links on this page. If your questions are not answered after reviewing this information, please contact us at [email protected] .

Here are some links to pages relevant to prospective students:

  • Material Required for a Complete Application , and information about When/How to Apply can be found below on this page.
  • We have an FAQ which should help to answer many questions, and we provide Application Assistance from staff and students if you don’t find what you need in the FAQ.
  • Additional Guidance about the application itself, along with examples, can be found on a separate page. The graduate application is available at https://apply.mit.edu/apply/ .
  • General information about the graduate program and research areas in the physics department may also be of use.
  • MSRP (MIT Summer Research Program) is designed to give underrepresented and underserved students access to an MIT research experience, pairing each student with a faculty member who will oversee the student conducting a research project at MIT.

Statement regarding admissions process during COVID Pandemic (Updated Summer 2023)

MIT has adopted the following principle: MIT’s admissions committees and offices for graduate and professional schools will take the significant disruptions of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of their regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant.

In particular, as we review applications now and in the future, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the unprecedented period of COVID-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students. We also expect that the individual experiences of applicants will richly inform applications and, as such, they will be considered with the entirety of a student’s record.

Ultimately, even in these challenging times, our goal remains to form graduate student cohorts that are collectively excellent and composed of outstanding individuals who will challenge and support one another.

Questions or concerns about this statement should be directed to the Physics Department ( [email protected] ).

Applying to the MIT Department of Physics

We know that the application process can be time-consuming, stressful, and costly. We are committed to reducing these barriers and to helping all applicants receive a full and fair assessment by our faculty reviewers. Help is available from the Physics Graduate Admissions Office at [email protected] and additional assistance from current students is offered during the admissions season. Further details are described at the end of this page in our Assistance for Prospective Applicants section.

The list below describes the important elements of a complete application. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have a concern or logistical difficulty that could prevent you from providing your strongest application.

Required for a Complete Application

1. online application and application fee.

  • MIT Graduate Admissions Online Graduate Application
  • Application Fee: $90

2. University Transcript(s)

Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for our initial review, with final transcripts required as a condition of matriculation for successful applicants. Applicants should include a scan of their transcript(s) and, if a degree is in progress, should include a list of the class subjects being taken in the current semester. The portal will allow applicants to log back into the application after the deadline to add their Fall term grades when they are available.

Note: We will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the unprecedented period of COVID-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students.

3. Standardized Test Results

  • GRE Tests : The Physics GRE (PGRE) is recommended but not required for graduate applications. All applications will be given full consideration with or without GRE scores.
  • TOEFL or IELTS Test or a waiver is required for non-native English speakers. MIT’s TOEFL school code is 3514; the code for the Department of Physics is 76. IELTS does not require a code. Eligibility for TOEFL/IELTS waivers is in our FAQ section .
  • Self-reported scores are sufficient for our initial application screening, with official scores required for admitted students as a condition of their offer. Applicants should attach a scanned copy of their test score report.

4. Letters of Recommendation

Letters should include any individual work applicants have done and/or areas where they have special strengths. It is possible to submit up to 6 total letters, but 3 are sufficient for a complete application and committee members may evaluate applications based on the first three letters that they read.

5. Statement of Objectives

Research is central to graduate study in physics. The Statement of Objectives/Purpose should include descriptions of research projects, aptitude and achievements as completely as possible. This important part of the application provides an opportunity to describe any interests, skills, and background relative to the research areas selected on the application form. Applicants should share anything that prepares them for graduate studies and describe their proudest achievements.

Additional Application Materials

  • Research, Teaching, and Community Engagement – Any special background or achievement that prepares the applicant for Physics graduate studies at MIT. This may include research at their undergraduate school as part of their Bachelor or Master degree, or summer research at another program or school.  We also value our student’s contributions to their community on a variety of scales (from institutional to societal) and we encourage applicants to tell us about their teaching and community engagement activities.  The “experience” questions are intended to provide a CV-like listing of achievements, some of which may be elaborated on in the “Statement of Objectives” and/or the optional “Personal Statement”.
  • Publications, Talks, and Merit Based Recognition – Recognition of success in research, academics, and outreach can take many forms, including publications, talks, honors, prizes, awards, fellowships, etc.  This may include current nominations for scholarships or papers submitted for publication.
  • Optional Personal Statement – Members of our community come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We welcome any personal information that will help us to evaluate applications holistically and will provide context for the applicant’s academic achievements. This statement may include extenuating circumstances, significant challenges that were overcome, a non-traditional educational background, description of any advocacy or values work, or other information that may be relevant.
  • Detailed instructions for each application section, and many examples , can be found on the “ Additional Guidance ” page.  The detailed instructions are lengthy, and are intended to be read only “as needed” while you work on your application (i.e., you don’t need to go read the whole thing before you start).

When/How to Apply

When : Applications can be submitted between September 15 and December 15 by 11:59pm EST for the following year.

How : The application is online at https://apply.mit.edu/apply/

Application Assistance

Faculty, students, and staff have collaborated to provide extensive guidance to prospective applicants to our graduate degree program, which we detail below:

  • Our website provides answers to many frequently asked admissions questions
  • Admissions staff are available for questions at [email protected] . We encourage students to send their questions early in the application process, as staff become increasingly busy with requests as the application deadline approaches!
  • The Physics Graduate Application Assistance Program ( PhysGAAP ) is run by current graduate students and offers online webinars, office hours, and one-on-one mentoring. Registration is now open for Fall 2024 , and more information is provided below.

Physics Graduate Application Assistance Program (PhysGAAP)

PhysGAAP is a program offering resources for students applying to graduate school, and it was first started to reduce the barriers for application to the MIT Physics PhD program and address the underrepresentation of students from historically excluded communities. Our services include annual webinars about the application process, office hours to answer questions, and a one-on-one mentoring program for students who would benefit from more in-depth, individual assistance. Visit the PhysGAAP website for more information! 

Poster containing information and qr code about Signing up for PhysGAAP

The Fall 2024 webinars will be held on October 16th at 9-10am and 4-5pm. Zoom and Slido information will be sent 1 week before the webinar to applicants who have registered for PhysGAAP using this form .

Recordings of past webinars can also be found on our website . Please note past webinars may contain outdated information about some topics, such as GRE requirements.

Office Hours

Our Office Hours are a space where you can briefly chat with an MIT Physics graduate student about questions you may have about applying to graduate school. For example, if you have questions about the specifics of applying to MIT Physics, what materials you need for your application, or other questions that only require a one-time meeting, office hours may be a good option for you.

Information about the Office Hours program will be sent out to those who register for PhysGAAP through this form .

1-on-1 Mentorship

1-on-1 mentoring is offered for students who would benefit from more in-depth individual assistance. Our capacity is limited, so we will give preferential consideration to PhysGAAP Mentorship applicants who would most benefit from the program and can demonstrate that they are a good fit. We therefore ask prospective applicants to start by asking their questions at our webinars and office hours program. 

If applicants want further assistance, they may apply to the PhysGAAP Mentorship Program, which pairs prospective graduate school applicants with current graduate students who can provide feedback on their application and insight into graduate school and the MIT Physics PhD program. 

Applications for the PhysGAAP Mentorship Program will open later in the Fall and are expected to close in early-mid November . To stay up to date on when the applications open, please register for PhysGAAP through this form .

Please note that participation in PhysGAAP is not considered during admissions review. It helps applicants put forward their strongest materials, but does not guarantee admission into our graduate program.

Admissions/Application FAQs

Our Frequently Asked Questions provide further information about degree requirements, funding, educational background, application deadlines, English language proficiency, program duration, start dates and deferrals, and fee waiver requests.

The MOST Frequently Asked Question…

What is included in a strong graduate application for physics at mit.

Applications are assessed holistically and many variables are considered in the application review process. The following four main factors are required for a complete application.

  • the applicant’s statement of objectives or purpose,
  • transcripts of past grades,
  • score reports of any required standardized tests,
  • three letters of reference.

In addition, any past research experience, publications, awards, and honors are extremely helpful, particularly if they are in the area(s) of the applicant’s interest(s). Applicants may also include a personal statement in their application to provide context as the materials are assessed.

Applications are routed to admission committee members and other faculty readers using the “areas of interest” and any faculty names selected from the menu as well as based on the research interests included in the statement of objectives. Please select the areas of interest that best reflect your goals.

Instructions are available in the application itself , with further guidance on our Additional Guidance page. The Physics Admissions Office will respond to questions sent to [email protected] .

General Questions Regarding the PhD Program in Physics

Must i have a degree in physics in order to apply to this graduate program.

Our successful applicants generally hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, or have taken many Physics classes if they have majored in another discipline. The most common other majors are astronomy, engineering, mathematics, and chemistry. Bachelor of Science degrees may be 3-year or 4-year degrees, depending on the education structure of the country in which they are earned.

What are the requirements to complete a PhD?

The requirements for a PhD in Physics at MIT are the doctoral examination, a few required subject classes, and a research-based thesis. The doctoral examination consists of a written and an oral examination. The written component may be satisfied either by passing the 4 subject exams or by passing designated classes related to each topic with a qualifying grade; the oral exam will be given in a student’s chosen research area. The Physics Department also requires that each student take two classes in the field of specialization and two physics-related courses in fields outside the specialty. Research for the thesis is conducted throughout the student’s time in the program, culminating in a thesis defense and submission of the final thesis.

Can I take courses at other schools nearby?

Yes. Cross-registration is available at Harvard University and Wellesley College.

How many years does it take to complete the PhD requirements?

From 3 to 7 years, averaging 5.6 years.

How will I pay for my studies?

Our students are fully supported financially throughout the duration of their program, provided that they make satisfactory progress. Funding is provided from Fellowships (internal and external) and/or Assistantships (research and teaching) and covers tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend. Read more about funding .

Note: For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the Student Financial Services (SFS) website .

How many applications are submitted each year? How many students are accepted?

Although the number varies each year, the Department of Physics usually welcomes approximately 45 incoming graduate students each year. Last year we received more than 1,700 applications and extended fewer than 90 offers of admission.

What are the minimum grades and exam scores for admitted applicants?

There are no minimum standards for overall grade point averages/GPAs. Grades from physics and other related classes will be carefully assessed. Under a special COVID-19 policy, MIT will accept transcripts with a variety of grading conventions, including any special grading given during the COVID-19 pandemic. PGREs (Physics subject GRE) is not required for graduate applications but is recommended.

Our program is conducted in English and all applicants must demonstrate their English language proficiency. Non-native English speakers should review our policy carefully before waiving the TOEFL/IELTS requirements. We do not set a minimum requirement on TOEFL/IELTS scores; however, students who are admitted to our program typically score above the following values:

  • IELTS – 7
  • TOEFL (computer based) – 200
  • TOEFL (iBT) – 100
  • TOEFL (standard) – 600

The Application Process

When is the deadline for applying to the phd program in physics.

Applications for enrollment in the fall are due each year by 11:59pm EST on December 15 of the preceding year. There is no admission cycle for spring-term enrollment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for me to take tests in person. Can I still apply?

PGRE (Physics subject GRE) is not required for graduate applications but is recommended. Non-native English speakers who are not eligible for a test waiver should include their results from either an in-person or online version of the TOEFL or IELTS test.

Does the Department of Physics provide waivers for the English language exam (TOEFL/IELTS)?

An English language exam (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEFL iBT, or the C2 Cambridge English Proficiency exam) is required of all applicants who are from a country in which English is not the primary language. Exceptions to this policy will be considered for candidates who, at the start of their graduate studies in 2025, will have been in the US or in a country whose official language is English for three years or longer and who will have received a degree from a college or university in a country where the language of education instruction is English. An interview via telephone, Zoom, or Skype may be arranged at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. More information on a possible English Language Waiver Decision (PDF).

Does the Department of Physics provide application fee waivers?

Although we do not want the MIT application fee to be a barrier to admission, we cannot provide application fee waivers to all who request one.  The Department of Physics has a limited number of fee waivers to grant. Applicants should first investigate their eligibility for a fee waiver through the Office of Graduate Education . Those not eligible will be prompted to submit a departmental application. Fee waiver requests will only be considered *before* an applicant has submitted the application, but *after* they have completed all parts of the application, including transcript uploads and requests for letters of recommendation. Fee waiver requests for incomplete applications will not be considered. Fee waiver requests will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis, and not after December 1. Furthermore, applications lacking the paid fee or a fee waiver by 11:59pm EST on December 15 will not be reviewed or considered for admission.

Can I arrange a visit to the Physics Department or a specific research area?

We are not currently hosting or meeting with outside visitors in person, nor are we facilitating visits to our classrooms. Current graduate students and prospective applicants should direct any questions by email to [email protected] .

Applicants are invited to send specific questions to the Physics Admissions Office and some questions may be forwarded to current students for further information. Admitted students will be invited to attend an in-person open house.

Can I receive an update on the status of my application?

Candidates can check on the status of their application at apply.mit.edu/apply at any time. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all items are sent.

When will I be notified of a final decision?

Applicants will be notified via email of decisions by the end of February. If you have not heard from us by March 1, please send email to [email protected] .

We do not provide results by phone.

Can admitted students start in a term other than the next Fall semester?

Applications submitted between September 15 and December 15 by 11:59pm EST are assessed for the following Fall semester. We do not provide a separate admission review cycle for the Spring semester. Individual research supervisors may invite incoming students to start their research during the summer term a few months earlier than their studies would normally begin. All other incoming students start their studies in late August for the Fall term.

Once admitted, applicants may request a one-year deferral to attend a specific academic program or for another approved reason, with single semester deferrals for the following Spring term granted only rarely.

UA Science | Physics | Home

Ph.D. Program

Our Ph.D. program is designed to put students in direct contact with the topics and questions that are at the forefront of contemporary physics research. In each area of investigation, our faculty are internationally known leaders ready to guide students in cutting-edge research that confronts the evolving scientific landscape. Never satisfied with traditional ways of approaching problems and inspired by a strong interdisciplinary vision, we believe in pushing the envelope in research and teaching.

In addition to group meetings, seminars, and Department-wide colloquia, our department has also hosted numerous major international conferences and symposia. All of this provides our graduate students with a unique opportunity to take their future places on the international stage, guaranteeing them the highest levels of visibility and impact. Students graduating from our Ph.D. program have gone on to win some of the most prestigious research awards and postdoctoral fellowships available.

Our doctoral program is flexible, designed to accommodate a broad range of interests and backgrounds. Many of our entering students find that their interests change while they're here, but our diverse research areas and degree options allow graduate students the versatility to do their best work, regardless of where their investigations lead them. If you're ambitious and motivated, you'll find that our Ph.D. program will challenge you to reach your highest level of achievement.

Just as collaboration and flexibility are strengths of our graduate program in Physics, the breadth of our curriculum is another. The Physics Department offers a wide variety of courses, fostering an unsurpassed environment for learning and discovery. In addition to the core graduate-level curriculum, we also offer breadth courses that introduce students to new topics, and specialty courses that bring students up-to-date on the current state of knowledge in their chosen fields. Independent-study projects are also encouraged to connect students with individual professors in their areas of study.

Students may develop a minor specialization outside of physics, taking advantage of the richness of course offerings in other departments. The College of Science also has a unique Teacher Prep Program specializing in training the science teachers of tomorrow. Our program is flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of interests, yet rigorous enough to ensure the deepest levels of academic excellence and preparation.

See graduate handbook for requirements for Ph.D. degree

Harvard Launches PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering

Drawing on world-class research community, program will prepare leaders of the ‘quantum revolution’.

Harvard University today announced one of the world’s first PhD programs in Quantum Science and Engineering, a new intellectual discipline at the nexus of physics, chemistry, computer science and electrical engineering with the promise to profoundly transform the way we acquire, process and communicate information and interact with the world around us.

The University is already home to a robust quantum science and engineering research community, organized under the Harvard Quantum Initiative . With the launch of the PhD program, Harvard is making the next needed commitment to provide the foundational education for the next generation of innovators and leaders who will push the boundaries of knowledge and transform quantum science and engineering into useful systems, devices and applications. 

“The new PhD program is designed to equip students with the appropriate experimental and theoretical education that reflects the nuanced intellectual approaches brought by both the sciences and engineering,” said faculty co-director Evelyn Hu , Tarr-Coyne Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). “The core curriculum dramatically reduces the time to basic quantum proficiency for a community of students who will be the future innovators, researchers and educators in quantum science and engineering.”

“Quantum science and engineering is not just a hybrid of subjects from different disciplines, but an important new area of study in its own right,” said faculty co-director John Doyle , Henry B. Silsbee Professor of Physics. “A Ph.D. program is necessary and foundational to the development of this new discipline.”

Quantum science and engineering is not just a hybrid of subjects from different disciplines, but an important new area of study in its own right.

“America’s continued success leading the quantum revolution depends on accelerating the next generation of talent,” said Dr. Charles Tahan, Assistant Director for Quantum Information Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Director of the National Quantum Coordination Office. “It’s nice to see that a key component of Harvard’s education strategy is optimizing how core quantum-relevant concepts are taught.”

The University is also finalizing plans for the comprehensive renovation of a campus building into a new state-of-the-art quantum hub – a shared resource for the quantum community with instructional and research labs, spaces for seminars and workshops, and places for students, faculty, and visiting researchers and collaborators to meet and convene. Harvard’s quantum headquarters will integrate the educational, research, and translational aspects of the diverse field of quantum science and engineering in an architecturally cohesive way. This critical element of Harvard’s quantum strategy was made possible by generous gifts from Stacey L. and David E. Goel ‘93 and several other alumni .

“Existing technologies are reaching the limit of their capacity and cannot drive the innovation we need for the future, specifically in areas like semiconductors and the life sciences,” said David Goel, co-founder and managing general partner of Waltham, Mass.-based Matrix Capital Management Company, LP and one of Harvard’s most ardent supporters. “Quantum is an enabler, providing a multiplier effect on a logarithmic scale. It is a catalyst that drives scientific revolutions and epoch-making paradigm shifts.”

“Harvard is making significant institutional investments in its quantum enterprise and in the creation of a new field,” said Science Division Dean Christopher Stubbs , Samuel C. Moncher Professor of Physics and of Astronomy. Stubbs added that several active searches are underway to broaden Harvard’s faculty strength in this domain, and current faculty are building innovative partnerships around quantum research with industry.

“An incredible foundation has been laid in quantum, and we are now at an inflection point to accelerate that activity,” said SEAS Dean Frank Doyle , John A. and Elizabeth S. Armstrong Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

An incredible foundation has been laid in quantum, and we are now at an inflection point to accelerate that activity.

To enable opportunities to move from basic to applied research to translating ideas into products, Doyle described a vision for “integrated partnerships where we invite partners from the private sector to be embedded on the campus to learn from the researchers in our labs, and where our faculty connect to the private sector and national labs to learn about the cutting-edge applications, as well as help translate basic research into useful tools for society.”

Harvard will admit the first cohort of PhD candidates in Fall 2022 and anticipates enrolling 35 to 40 students in the program. Participating faculty are drawn from physics and chemistry in Harvard’s Division of Science and applied physics, electrical engineering, and computer science in SEAS.

Candidates interested in Harvard’s PhD in Quantum Science and Engineering can learn more about the program philosophy, curriculum, and requirements here .

“This cross disciplinary PhD program will prepare our students to become the leaders and innovators in the emerging field of quantum science and engineering” said Emma Dench, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. “Harvard’s interdisciplinary strength and intellectual resources make it the perfect place for them to develop their ideas, grow as scholars, and make discoveries that will change the world.”

Harvard has a long history of leadership in quantum science and engineering. Theoretical physicist and 2005 Nobel laureate Roy Glauber is widely considered the founding father of quantum optics, and 1989 Nobel laureate Norman Ramsey pioneered much of the experimental foundation of quantum science.

Today, Harvard experimental research groups are among the leaders worldwide in areas such as quantum simulations, metrology, quantum communications and computation, and are complemented by strong theoretical groups in computer science, physics, and chemistry.

Topics: Quantum Engineering

Cutting-edge science delivered direct to your inbox.

Join the Harvard SEAS mailing list.

Press Contact

Paul Karoff

Related News

Five SEAS post-baccalaureate students with staff members Edward Alexander, Kathryn Hollar and Paula Nicole Booke

A bridge from undergraduate to graduate studies

Post-baccalaureate program help students transition to the next academic level

Academics , Applied Physics , Bioengineering , Diversity / Inclusion , Environmental Science & Engineering , Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering , Optics / Photonics , Quantum Engineering , Robotics

Quantum Noir organizer William Wilson, executive director of Harvard’s Center for Nanoscale Systems

Uncovering ‘hidden curriculum’ for those historically on outside

Quantum Noir fosters sense of community among individuals of color involved in quantum science and engineering

Diversity / Inclusion , Materials , Quantum Engineering

Two square platforms each with a voltage meter reading 0 to 240, display gold electrons moving in response to an electric field

A quantum world on a silicon chip

Researchers develop a platform to probe, control qubits in silicon for quantum networks

Applied Physics , Quantum Engineering

Department of Physics

Graduate students, prospective students, find all the information you need, including application,  here ..

The Department of Physics offers the opportunity for students to pursue a Ph.D. in many areas of experimental and theoretical physics. Entering students typically have undergraduate degrees in physics or related fields, and are drawn from among the most talented students around the world. The department does not offer a terminal master's program.

The Graduate Recruitment Initiative Team (GRIT) began as a grassroots student organization and has grown to encompass 18 graduate programs in the Biological Sciences Division (BSD) and Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago with over 50 members and a dedicated faculty counterpart in the form of the Diversity Council. GRIT is committed to enhancing diversity, inclusion, and equity across the BSD and PSD graduate programs. GRIT focuses on three central components:  recruitment ,  retention , and  sustainability  in order to increase the recruitment and retention of students from marginalized backgrounds.

Learn more about GRIT  here .

Incoming and Returning Students

If you wish to speak to someone about the Ph.D. program, or other issues pertaining to the graduate student experience, please contact either  Zosia Krusberg , the Director of Graduate Studies,  Stuart Gazes , the Undergraduate Program Chair, or  P eter Littlewood , the Department Chair.

Links to detailed information and resources for incoming and returning graduate students are found under the tabs below.

Incoming Student Information

  • PSD Autumn 2023 New Student Information
  • Prepare for  Graduate Diagnostic Examination
  • Autumn 2023 Department of Physics Orientation

For international incoming students, please check out International Students Resource for more information.

Dean of Students (Physical Science Division)

The Dean of Students Office works with students, faculty, divisional staff, and campus partners to advance the academic, personal, and professional development of students in the Physical Sciences Division. Our central mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students as they pursue their education and thrive as members of the broader University of Chicago community. 

Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the Dean of Students Office by emailing  [email protected] .

  • Dean of Students Contact Page
  • Quarterly Check List for PSD Graduate Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources

A full list of resources can be found under Current Student Resources .

UChicagoGRAD

  • UChicagoGRAD is a one-stop shop of integrated services to help graduate students and postdocs navigate their academic and professional careers. Download an overview of our office  here .
  • Led by Jason Merchant, Vice Provost, UChicagoGRAD programs provide flexible training that complements support in academic units.
  • UChicagoGRAD  staff  are committed to serving the graduate and postdoc community, focusing on recruitment; skills and experience; career development; and alumni engagement.

Contact [email protected] , and visit grad.uchicago.edu  to learn more.

Graduate Program Policies

Students with questions may contact Zosia Krusberg  (Director of Graduate Studies), Putri Kusumo (Assistant Director of Graduate Affairs), Bahareh Lampert  (Dean of Students in the Physical Sciences Division), or Amanda Young (Associate Director, Graduate Student Affairs) in UChicagoGRAD. 

  • Experimental Physics Requirement
  • Candidacy Courses Guidelines
  • Advancement to Candidacy
  • Post-candicacy Course Requirements
  • First Year Advising
  • Thesis and Advisory Committees
  • Thesis Committee Meeting Guidelines
  • Annual Academic Progress Report
  • Graduation Guidelines
  • Dissertation: Deadlines , Checklist , Dissertation  Guidelines , Dissertation Template ,  Dissertation Office
  • PhD Registration Limit Policy
  • Residential Requirement
  • Graduate Student Yearly Checklist
  • Master's Degree Requirements
  • Current Course Offerings : U of C class search site
  • Textbook Lists : Current Quarter
  • Graduate Course Inventory 2021-2022
  • Physics Instructional Services : lab schedules, office hours, lost & found, etc.
  • A list of previously approved non-physics electives can be found here .
  • General Guidance for Research
  • Research in the Physics Department
  • Research Facilities
  • Writing Resources
  • University Libraries
  • Teaching Assistants 
  • Chicago Center For Teaching :Teaching Support Source
  • Financial Aid
  • Third-Party Contract (External Award)
  • Self-Payment Options
  • Fellowship Database
  • Graduate Council Travel Fund
  • Emergency Assistance Programs
  • External Award Reporting Form (PhD students)
  • Annual Funding Checklist (PhD students) : include Direct Deposit sign-up instructions
  • Payment Schedule Overview (PhD students)
  • Tax Information  

International Student Resources

  • General Contact
  • Shashi Dyamenahalli , Adviser for PSD students: for specific international affairs
  • Apply for F1/J1 Statu s
  • Apply for SSN or ITINs : for on and off-campus job
  • Tax Responsibilities  
  • Visa  Renewal
  • Program Extention of I-20 or DS-2019  (please notify Putri Kusumo of the I-20 update)
  • Academic English Pre-Matriculation Program (Incoming Students) 

Life at UChicago

  • Safety and Security
  • Transportation : shuttles ( day ,  night ),  buses , and  parking
  • Food:  campus dining ,  Hyde Park
  • Graduate Housing: UC site , additional information
  • The Graduate Council  
  • Chicago Studies : Engaging students with the community
  • About Hyde Park
  • Kersten Physics Teaching Center: room 205
  • Elsewhere On Campus  (scroll to the bottom)

Career Planning

  • UChicago Career Advancement
  • Career Development Resources
  • Grad Talk : Presenting and Interviewing
  • Grad Global Impact : Internship Program
  • Employment Data

Health and Well-being

  • Student Health and Counseling Services
  • University Health Insurance
  • UChicago Medicine
  • Athletics and Recreation for Students

Diversity and Inclusion

  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Department of Physics
  • Center for Identity + Inclusion
  • LGBTQ Student Life
  • Office for Access and Equity
  • Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in PSD
  • Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
  • PSD Outlist
  • Student Disability Services
  • Women in Graduate Science
  • Women in Science

IT Services

  • UChicago IT Services

IMAGES

  1. Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann and Giorgio Parisi win 2021 Nobel

    phd physics 2021

  2. Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann and Giorgio Parisi win the 2021 Nobel

    phd physics 2021

  3. Introducing the Physics Ph.D. Class of 2021

    phd physics 2021

  4. The Nobel Prize in Physics 2021 goes to Syukuro Manabe, Klaus

    phd physics 2021

  5. PhD Admission 2021 in SAHA INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS

    phd physics 2021

  6. Physics

    phd physics 2021

VIDEO

  1. #MDU PhD Physics 2021 entrance exam question paper#Part-1

  2. TIFR PHD physics 2024 solution#emt#TIFR#csirnet physics

  3. Getting a PhD in Physics Episode 4: What are anyons?

  4. BSC. Physics (2021-2024 ) academic topper award 🥇♥️ #hinanbargale

  5. PhD (Physics) entrance test2024

  6. Studying Physics Everyday Until I Get a PhD