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Undergraduate Research Internships

Summer Research Programs

Taking part in a research internship during your undergraduate degree can be very beneficial to your career prospects after graduation. Particularly if you intend to continue for a PhD.


Generally students apply to take part in research internships in their second year onwards, but some are successful in finding a placement even during their first year of study.


Here is a small selection of summer research programs I would recommend to any undergraduate physics student.

Caltech SURF

Location: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor

Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student not currently in their final year of study

Duration: 10 Weeks

Caltech SURF

Caltech LIGO SURF

Location: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) / LIGO Hanford / LIGO Livingston

Funding: For all successful applicants 

Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student not currently in their final year of study 

Duration: 10 Weeks 

Caltech LIGO SURF

Leiden LEAPS

Location: Leiden Observatory, Leiden University

Funding: For all successful applicants

Eligibility: All students not enrolled in a PhD program (ESA projects have slightly stricter eligibility)

Duration: 10 Weeks  

Leiden LEAPS

Imperial College UROP

Location: Imperial College London

Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor

Eligibility: Must be an enrolled student at UK Higher Education Institution

Duration: Typically 6-10 Weeks, but potentially up to 12 months for non UK students (highly flexible)

Imperial College UROP

Oxford Summer Research Program

Location: Oxford University

Funding: Dependant on project/supervisor

Eligibility: Enrolled student with right to work status in the UK

Duration: 8 Weeks


Note - Each subdepartment has their own webpage for these programs:


  1. Theoretical Physics - https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/research/rudolf-peierls-centre-for-theoretical-physics/summer-research-programme
  2. Astrophysics - https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/research/astrophysics/summer-students
  3. Particle Physics - https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/research/particle-physics/summer-internship-programme-2020
  4. Atomic & Laser Physics - https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduates/atomic-and-laser-physics/summer-internships
  5. Condensed Matter Physics - https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/research/condensed-matter-physics/undergraduate-summer-projects
  6. Atmospheric, Oceanic & Planetary Physics - https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/research/atmospheric-oceanic-and-planetary-physics/aopp-vacation-students

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