Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.
Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.
Deadline: 6th April 2026
Wales
Closing date: 6th April 2026
Open to: UK and international applicants
Funding Provider: STFC
Subject Areas: Cosmology and Gravitation
Project Start Date: October 2026
* (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.)
*In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.
Supervisors:
Aligned programme of study: PhD in Physics
Mode of study: Full time and part time
Place of study: Swansea University (Singleton Campus)
Project description:
These are extraordinary times for research in gravitational waves and cosmology. A wealth of new data from cutting-edge observatories is transforming our understanding of the Universe, opening unexpected directions and creating unique opportunities to uncover new fundamental physics.
This PhD studentship offers the chance to develop an ambitious research project at the interface of theory and experiment in gravitational-wave physics and cosmology. Working closely with experienced faculty, the student will explore fundamental questions about the Early Universe and the dark sector, which together shape most of the cosmos we observe today. Many of the most compelling models in these areas predict stochastic backgrounds of gravitational waves—signals that may be detected by current and next-generation experiments.
The successful candidate will:
Through active mentorship and collaboration, the student will have the opportunity to engage with major international projects, including Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), Einstein Telescope, Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), and NANOGrav. This involvement will enable them to compare theoretical predictions directly with real data and become part of vibrant, international research teams at the forefront of discovery.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a motivated student to contribute to some of the most exciting questions in modern physics, gain high-level research training, and build an international scientific profile in a rapidly advancing field.
For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/gravitational-wave-cosmology-from-theory-to-experiments-rs943.php
Scholarship open to UK and International applicants.
PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level or a master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University).
English Language:
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.
Note for international and European applicants:
Details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email [email protected] with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.
ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.
Funding
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
To apply, please complete the entire application form here:
To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.
1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS943
2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)
3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University-led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University-led research scholarship awards.
NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.
Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact: Gianmassimo Tasinato [email protected]
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
Scholarship open to UK and International applicants.
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