PhD Astronomy- Planet Formation and Evolution
Queen Mary University of London
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1)

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
10 options available
academic-cap
Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

location-pin
Location

Queen Mary University of London

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 years

SELECTED

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

3 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

3 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

JAN

Duration

6 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Queen Mary University of London

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

APR-25

Duration

6 years

SELECT

Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

6 Years

SELECT

Subjects

Select a subject


Biological Sciences
SELECTED

Physics & Astronomy
SELECT

Exam type

Select a an exam type


Location

Select student location


Domestic
SELECTED

EU
SELECT

Rest of World
SELECT

Course info

In the last 15 years over 4000 planets have been discovered around stars other than the Sun. We are now moving beyond just detecting planets, to really understanding their properties and characterising them. It is now clear that planets have very diverse features and to explain this we have to learn how they are formed from flattened protoplanetary discs of material around young stars, as well as how the planets subsequently evolve. Of course, we ultimately want to understand our own Solar ...Read more

In the last 15 years over 4000 planets have been discovered around stars other than the Sun. We are now moving beyond just detecting planets, to really understanding their properties and characterising them. It is now clear that planets have very diverse features and to explain this we have to learn how they are formed from flattened ""protoplanetary discs of material around young stars, as well as how the planets subsequently evolve. Of course, we ultimately want to understand our own Solar system, and how it fits into the spectrum of planetary architectures.

The Planet formation and evolution group at Queen Mary is involved in world leading theoretical and observational research in planet formation and evolution, both within our own Solar system and beyond. We are involved in the Red Dots program, which has resulted in the detection of planets around some of the closest stars to the Sun, including Proxima Centauri, Barnards Star and Gliese 887.

The Planet formation and evolution group at Queen Mary is involved in world leading theoretical and observational research in planet formation and evolution, both within our own Solar system and beyond. We are involved in the Red Dots program, which has resulted in the detection of planets around some of the closest stars to the Sun, including Proxima Centauri, Barnards Star and Gliese 887.

Our group also studies the key role that planetary dynamics and collisions play in determining how planets and their satellites form and evolve, with a focus on Solar system planets and moons. The Solar System Dynamics group at Queen Mary was heavily involved in the Cassini mission to Saturn and was directly responsible for the discovery of two new Saturnian moons. The main research interests are the dynamics of planetary rings and their gravitational interaction with small moons orbiting nearby. Understanding these processes has direct applications to the behaviour of evolving protoplanets in a disc. The group also analyses Cassini images to make astrometric measurements of the positions of objects against background stars and thereby detect subtle changes in their orbits over time. This work contributed to new research showing that Saturns largest moon Titan was once much closer to the planet.

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
91/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
32nd
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
50th

Entry requirements

A first or upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject area. If your qualifications are not from a UK university, QMUL also considers recognised equivalent qualifications from accredited overseas institutions and equivalent professional qualifications. The following information may also be factored into your application: A masters qualification is desirable but not always essential. Relevant experience within the field may also be taken into account.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,786 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

The fee mentioned is for 2024 entry and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025 entry.

£28,850 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

S&E Basic Rate (all except Mathematics): £28,850, S&E Mathematics £24,750, S&E Band 1 (all except Mathematics) £31,350, S&E Band 2 (all except Mathematics) £33,850, S&E Band 3 (all except Mathematics) £36,350, S&E Band 4 (all except Mathematics) £38,850, S&E Band 5 (all except Mathematics) £41,350. The fee mentioned is for 2024 entry and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025 entry.

£28,850 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

S&E Basic Rate (all except Mathematics): £28,850, S&E Mathematics £24,750, S&E Band 1 (all except Mathematics) £31,350, S&E Band 2 (all except Mathematics) £33,850, S&E Band 3 (all except Mathematics) £36,350, S&E Band 4 (all except Mathematics) £38,850, S&E Band 5 (all except Mathematics) £41,350. The fee mentioned is for 2024 entry and there may be a slight increase in the fee for 2025 entry.

IDP Connect

Uni info

Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London , London

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) is an internationally regarded public research institution based in London....

Student rating
( 4.1) View reviews
CUG ranking
50th
Queen Mary University of London
Admissions and Recruitment Office Mile End Road London Tower Hamlets E1 4NS United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Mile End  0.2 miles away Nearest train station: Limehouse  0.4 miles away
Thinking of studying in London?

Check out our

London city guide

Similar courses at this uni

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate