About

We aspire to be recognised for delivering world-class research and teaching excellence in the natural sciences, transforming our society through our innovative and interdisciplinary research, and educating our students to enhance and improve the local and global community.

At Kent, academics, researchers and students are all part of the same close-knit scientific community. We welcome staff and students from all over the world and have a strong commitment to equality and diversity within everything we do. Together we create success.

Our Physics and Astronomy courses are accredited by Institute of Physics (IOP).

We are committed to helping you to make the best possible start in your career.

All our undergraduate courses offer the opportunity to spend a year on a work placement (Professional Placement), which is a great way to boost your employability prospects by putting your learning into practice and making contacts in industry.

The subjects have a specialist employability and placements team and develop you skills for the future.

Our graduates are well equipped for careers across a range of fields and have gone on to work for companies such as BAE, Defence Science and Technology, Rolls Royce, Siemens and IBM.

Our world-leading research feeds directly into our teaching; our courses provide cutting-edge content and you learn about the latest breakthroughs in scientific research. We use a range of teaching methods, from traditional lectures and laboratory classes to hands-on work.

Our emphasis on problem solving and laboratory work allows you to develop a confidence that can extend well beyond your studies, allowing you to tackle new and unfamiliar challenges. This aspect of our teaching has proved to be popular with many employers and we have an outstanding record for graduate employment.

The School has achieved national and international recognition for providing high-quality teaching and all our degrees are accredited by the relevant professional bodies, ensuring you have excellent job prospects. 

In the School of Physics and Astronomy, 93% of our research outputs were judged as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

Our research groups include:

• Applied Optics Group (AOG)
• Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CAPS)
• Physics of Quantum Materials (PQM)

Research benefits all our students and we offer many opportunities for them to take part, for instance in final-year undergraduate or postgraduate research projects, summer internships, or by joining the lab apprenticeship scheme. 

At Kent, you have access to the most up-to-date resources and can gain hands-on experience in our laboratories and Beacon observatory.

Learn more about our facilities.

In Physics and Astronomy, we are working hard to create a welcoming, supportive and diverse community for all our staff and students. The subjects are proud to be recognised as a Juno Practitioner by the Institute of Physics. This initiative recognises the work that is being done to address issues relating to gender equality. We are committed to supporting all staff and students to develop their skills and realise their potential more effectively, to the benefit of everyone. 

You can find more information on the University Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity homepage.

Physics and Astronomy are based on our Canterbury campus with its first-class academic and leisure facilities. We are equipped with the latest resources and our beautiful setting offers plenty of tranquil spaces to study and relax.

Everything you need on campus is within walking distance, including a general store, a bookshop, bank, cinema, theatre, a medical centre and a pharmacy. You can go off campus to explore the city's medieval buildings, historic pubs and an array of shops; visit the seaside towns of Whitstable, Margate or Broadstairs with their beautiful beaches, or head to London, just an hour away by high-speed train.