Ph.D. in Physics Admissions

Our physics Ph.D. program trains students who want to push forward the boundaries of knowledge about the universe to become leaders in discovery. Our students build a strong foundation of technical expertise through coursework, hone their communication skills through professional development opportunities, and strengthen their critical thinking by conducting original research with one of our world-class research teams. These teams specialize in theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to a wide range of topics: cosmology and general relativity; high-energy particle physics; relativistic heavy ion collisions and high-energy nuclear physics; nuclear structure and dynamics; biological physics; and the physics of materials, optics, and quantum systems. We offer a friendly, welcoming, and inclusive environment where students are treated as colleagues.

The physics Ph.D. program is ideally suited for students who would like to pursue a career in research and development–whether that is in academia, industry, national labs and government agencies, or among the ever-growing opportunities in tech startups. Most alumni first take on a postdoctoral research post after graduation; however, a wide range of career paths is possible, with recent graduates finding positions in investment banking, software engineering, business analytics, and consulting.

We are looking for motivated students who have a passion for original research and want to shape the future of physics. Graduate admissions are highly selective, but we are committed to attracting the widest possible range of talents.

Students receive:

• A five-year package of support with a full tuition waiver
• Health insurance coverage
• Competitive stipends (currently $36,500 per year)
• A paid-for visit to campus before accepting our offer (domestic students only). Vanderbilt is located in the midtown section of Nashville, Tennessee–one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. A visit is certainly the best way to experience Nashville’s vitality, our department’s welcoming spirit, and learn about our faculty’s state-of-the-art research programs

We hope you’ll consider joining us for the next step on your educational journey.

Applying to the Program

Applications for fall 2025 open on August 1, 2024 and must be submitted through the Graduate School Application Portal. The application deadline is December 1.

Strong applications to the physics Ph.D. program include:

• The student’s academic record from prior institutions
• A statement of purpose that details the student’s interests in graduate school and beyond
• Three or more reference letters that provide insight into an applicant’s prior experience, motivation for graduate school, and aptitude for research.

GRE scores are not required. For questions about the Ph.D. program or the application process, please contact our Program Coordinator, Don Pickert.

Application checklist

• Start your admissions application online.
• Compose and submit a statement of purpose (1000-2000 words). We want to know about your motivations and your research interests.
• Request three letters of recommendation. Do this early to give your recommenders plenty of time to send in their letters.
• You do not need to submit an official transcript unless admitted to the program, please load your unofficial transcript directly into your application. If offered admission, then you will need to send official transcripts showing your degree earned.
• Do not submit GRE scores (General nor Subject). They are not required and will not be considered.
• English Proficiency Waiver Policy (https://gradschool.vanderbilt.edu/application-requirements/#h2-language-proficiency)
  International applicants are exempt from submitting English-proficiency scores under the following circumstances:
  • You hold a degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from Vanderbilt University or are currently enrolled in a Vanderbilt degree program.
  • You hold a bachelor’s degree completed in its entirety in the United States or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in a qualifying country. The bachelor’s degree should be earned at a regionally accredited university located in the United States, or at an officially recognized university in another country where English is both the language of instruction and the only officially recognized language of the country. This applies to institutions from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec). The entire program needs to have been completed in the qualifying country. Dual-degree holders who completed just part of their degree in the U.S. or other qualifying country, and students who have transferred credits from a non-Anglophone country, do not qualify for this waiver.
  • You have completed a master’s or doctoral degree from a country in which English is both the language of instruction and the only official language. The degree needs to have already been completed at the time you submit your Vanderbilt application. Applicants who have not yet completed a qualifying master’s or doctoral program at the time they apply will still need to submit English-proficiency scores.
  • Your native language is English. This applies to native English speakers from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec).
  • The language of instruction was English for the entirety of your bachelor’s degree program and the country has multiple official languages, including English. You will be prompted to provide proof that English is the official language from your institution.
    • Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
      • Official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office.
      • Unofficial transcripts, attested mark sheets or degree statements, are also accepted if English is stated as the medium of instruction.
  • Your academic program may not override these policies, but they may choose to require an exam if you are not required to by the Graduate School.The Graduate School at Vanderbilt does not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on any other consideration such as work experience, ESL enrollment, amount of time spent in the U.S., etc. It also cannot be waived based on programs taught in English in non-Anglophone countries.

    Any waivers will be reviewed only once the application is submitted and all supported documents are completed, including the application fee if required.

• If you meet the Graduate School’s eligibility criteria, apply for an application fee waiver*.
• Finalize and submit your entire application by December 1, 2024.

*Note that a small number of additional waivers will be granted at the discretion of the department based on recruitment priorities and extenuating circumstances. You may request an application fee waiver directly from the department only after you have submitted your application and confirmed that a fee is due (i.e., that you are not eligible for a waiver from the Graduate School). To request a fee waiver, please email the Director of Graduate Studies for Physics, Alfredo Gurrola.