[2] It is rated very highly for its work in Astronomy and Astrophysics, possessing the largest research group on galaxy evolution in Europe.

[7] In 2020, the founding director of the JQC, Charles Adams, was awarded the Holweck Prize for work on light and atoms that 'could provide the ideal building blocks' for quantum computing.

[10] Course structures are designed to offer flexibility, with both three-year BSc and four-year MPhys degrees available.

[10] Awards are offered by the department on an annual basis for outstanding academic performance, including the D A Wright Prize (for the best marks achieved by final honours candidates), and the J A Chalmers Prize (for the strongest research project by final honours candidates).

[17] The Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics building, designed by Studio Daniel Libeskind, opened in November 2016.

In 2008, Durham placed first in Europe and fourth in the world for research into astronomy and astrophysics over the decade 1998 to 2008, according to the Times Higher Education.

[20] David Alexander and Carlos Frenk were highlighted for their research, as were Adrian Jenkins and Tom Theuns.

[20] In 2020 Frenk was made one of the Clarivate Citation Laureates in Physics (whose honourees are recognised for research judged to be 'of Nobel class') for his highly cited work on the evolution of the universe.