University of Oxford - The Winton Capital Prize for Best MPhys Research Project

The Winton Capital Prize for Best MPhys Research Project

The best research project in the four-year ‘Master of Physics’ (MPhys) programme at the University of Oxford will receive a one-off cash prize of about 585 EUR (£500). The prize is awarded by the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford and funded by Winton Capital, an investment management company. No separate application is required: the examiners will select the winner from among the projects submitted as part of the final examinations.

Who can apply

• Degree: You are in the final year of the four-year Master’s degree programme in Physics (MPhys).
• University: You’re studying at the University of Oxford.
• Field: Physics, including research projects in fields such as astrophysics, solid-state physics, particle physics or biophysics.
• Nationality: All nationalities are welcome; any participant on the course is eligible to take part.
• What counts: The examiners have rated your MPhys research project as the best in your year group.

How to apply

There is no separate application process. The examiners for the final physics examination will select the winner from among the projects submitted as part of the final examinations. The prize will be awarded after these examinations in the summer (Trinity term).

How realistic are your chances?

Every year, only one student from the entire MPhys cohort at Oxford wins this prize; it is therefore a genuine honour for the best in the year group and not something that can be planned for. You do not apply for this award; instead, you qualify for it based on the quality of your research project. Focus on producing outstanding work – recognition will follow naturally if the examiners judge your project to be the best.