Information about the School of PhysicsThe School of Physics is large by UK standards, with more than 100 teaching and research staff, and is widely recognised as excellent in both teaching and research. Bristol's research is continually assessed as world leading or internationally excellent in the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) national surveys of university research. In its accreditation report of 2009 the Institute of Physics concluded: "The education provided is excellent, covering the required physics content and providing the requisite skills. Laboratory and project work is of a high standard and students clearly enjoy their studies. The department is friendly and has a commendable attitude to openness and transparency and is responsive to student feedback. The Institute of Physics has full confidence in the degree programmes provided".
Our research covers the full range of modern physics activities and is organised into 7 research groups: Astrophysics, Correlated Electron Systems, Micro and Nanostructural Materials, Nanophysics and Soft Matter, Particle Physics, Quantum Photonics and Theoretical Physics. You can find out more about the groups on their .
Exterior view of the Physics building
The School is situated in delightful gardens on the historic site of the Royal Fort that stood during the English Civil War. Only the gatehouse of the original fort now remains but the older part of the physics building, completed in 1927, has the outward appearance of a four-turreted castle and is still known as 'The Royal Fort'. The building was extended in 1968 and from the roof of this newer part there are unparalled views of the whole of the city. More recently the was built alongside the School of Physics.
The origins of the School - formerly the Department - of Physics, can be traced back to 1876 and the formation of the University College of Bristol. The current laboratory was built with a bequest from Bristol-born Henry Herbert Wills, son of Henry Overton Wills (the Wills family tobacco firm W.D & H. O. Wills was later to become Imperial Tobacco), and was officially opened on 27 October 1927 by Sir Ernest (later Lord) Rutherford, President of the Royal Society. Although now known as the School of Physics the building is officially named the H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory. Two of our former Heads of Department, C.F. Powell and N.F. Mott are Nobel Laureates (1950 and 1977 respectively). A more in-depth history can be found .