As an undergraduate student in Physics and Astronomy, you will be eligible for a number of progressional and finalist prizes. These prizes are awarded annually for outstanding work, including the highest overall grade from either BSc or MPhys undergraduate student, and the best third year projects, as well as School level prizes.
Caley Yardley receiving the 2022 Roger Tayler Prize for outstanding MPhys project
Finalist Prizes
- The MacQuitty Prize for outstanding performance at undergraduate level
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The MacQuitty prize is awarded each year by Dr Jonathan MacQuitty (Sussex PhD 1979) to the highest performing undergraduate student studying mathematics, biology, technology, science or psychology. Inspired by the generosity of his own family to support him through his doctoral studies, Dr MacQuitty's prize of £10,000 aims to give the winning student financial flexibility as they enter their postgraduate career, whatever that may be. The prize money can be spent in any way they wish, whether it be to start a business, to donate to charity, to travel, to continue their education or to pursue a passion.
- The Andrew John Symonds Memorial Prize for outstanding performance on BSc courses
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This prize is awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest overall grade on BSc courses.
- The Roger Tayler Prize for outstanding performance on MPhys courses
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This prize is awarded to the student with the highest overall grade on MPhys courses.
- Prize for the outstanding BSc Project
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This prize is awarded to the undergraduate student with the most outstanding BSc project
- Prize for the outstanding MPhys Project
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This prize is awarded to the undergraduate student with the most outstanding MPhys project.
- The Civic Engagement Prize (School level)
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This prize is awarded to a graduating student (including MSc and PhD students) who has selflessly carried out some significant work to help the local community.
- The David Axon Prize for outstanding achievement (School level)
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This prize is awarded in memory of the late Professor David Axon (Head of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences 2009 - 2012), for students who have suffered adversity during their degree, or for recognition of those from an unconventional or widening participation background and who have subsequently excelled.
2023 Finalists
The Andrew John Symonds Memorial Prize for outstanding performance on BSc courses
Cameron Dar, Physics BSc
The Roger Tayler Prize for outstanding performance on MPhys courses
Grace Marten, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys and Emerson Bannister, Physics MPhys
Prize for the outstanding BSc project
Maia Hughes Woods, Physics BSc
Prize for the outstanding MPhys project
Emerson Bannister, Physics MPhys
The David Axon Prize for outstanding achievement (School level)
Grace Marten, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
“I am honoured to accept these awards from the School of MPS. I had a great time at Sussex and look forward to whatever comes next. Thanks Mum and Dad for all the support!"Grace Marten
Winner of The David Axon Prize for Outstanding Achievement, and The Roger Tayler Prize for Outstanding Performance on MPhys Courses 2023
2022 Finalists
The Andrew John Symonds Memorial Prize for outstanding performance on BSc courses
Brody Cunliffe and Violetta Korbina, Physics with Astrophysics BSc
The Roger Tayler Prize for outstanding performance on MPhys courses
Caley Yardley, Physics MPhys (pictured above)
Prize for the outstanding BSc project
Loukas Antipas-Kidd, Physics with Astrophysics BSc
Prize for the outstanding MPhys project
Jack Turner and Caley Yardley, Physics MPhys
The David Axon Prize for outstanding achievement (School level)
Katherine Stevens, Mathematics BSc
"I was pleasantly surprised with the email, telling me I have won the prize. It has been a wild four years for me, as I had to do an International Foundation Year, and get through the COVID years, studying online while being away from my family. I have never doubted that I want to tie my life with research and Physics, and my time here at Sussex has just solidified this thought. I am thankful to everyone who made this path easier, and the research group I spent my last year with doing original research. It is truly wonderful to be able to say I am a half of an expert in a very narrow field.
"Recently I was offered an unconditional place on MSc Astronomy, and I am very excited to start this course in September, which will further enhance my skills and hopefully will help me secure a PhD position.
"I plan on spending the first half of my prize on myself, and the other half will be donated to my home country, Ukraine, to help the people suffering from russian invasion."
Violetta Korbina
Winner of the Andrew John Symonds Memorial Prize 2022 for outstanding performance on BSc courses
James Coleman-Smith
2021 Finalists
The Andrew John Symonds Memorial Prize for outstanding performance on BSc courses
Elvira Castello, Physics BSc
The Roger Tayler Prize for outstanding performance on MPhys courses
Andrew Bowell, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
Prize for the outstanding BSc project
James Coleman-Smith, Physics BSc
Prize for the outstanding MPhys project
Andrew Bowell, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
The MacQuitty Prize for the Sciences for outstanding performance at undergraduate level (School level)
Matthew Pearce, Mathematics BSc
The David Axon Prize for outstanding achievement (School level)
Phoebe Springham, Mathematics BSc
"I'm extremely honoured and proud to be the recipient of the Andrew J Symonds Memorial Prize. I absolutely loved my time at Sussex, from the many evenings spent in the wormhole to the morning coffees at the Bridge just before lectures.
"I've now ended this amazing journey having not only learnt amazing things but also having made amazing friends and incredible memories. I am now looking forward to what the future will hold.
"I have now joined the Time and Frequency department at the National Physical Laboratory and am hoping my work will help in pushing the boundaries of precision to which we are able to measure the second using optical atomic clocks."
Elvira Castello (pictured above)
Winner of the Andrew John Symonds Memorial Prize 2021 for outstanding performance on BSc courses
"I am delighted to have been awarded this finalist prize - what a terrific way to conclude my time as a student at Sussex. It has been a bit of a long road; I studied Economics during my first year of university before transferring to Physics. I had a lot of catching up to do and often doubted whether it was the right move, but I can now say that the stress induced was worthwhile, and it was one of the best decisions I have made.
"My experience here has been totally transformative. I have grown both emotionally as well as intellectually, met many brilliant people and formed some cracking friendships, all while studying this fascinating subject and being involved in some seriously cool research."
James Coleman-Smith
Winner of the 2021 prize for the outstanding BSc project
"It is a great honour to receive the MacQuitty Prize and be a part of it's history.
"I was very unsure about returning to University after spending eight years as a secondary school teacher but, after thoroughly enjoying my first year at Sussex, I knew it was the right decision. I did my best to engage fully with the university experience and work hard, and this award is the perfect culmination of my time at Sussex.
"The lecturers and tutors were a huge part of my success and without their generously given time and support I would not have achieved what I have.
"The MacQuitty Prize money will help enormously to ease the financial pressure of having to quickly find a new career path and will also enable me to spend more time with my family, and for this I am extremely thankful."
Matthew Pearce
Winner of the MacQuitty 2021 Prize for the Sciences
Progression Prizes
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 1
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 2
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 3 of MPhys courses
The Prize for outstanding performance on the Foundation Year
2023 Progression prize winners
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 1
Wallace Collins, Physics MPhys with Research Placement
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 2
Lana Pounder, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys with Research Placement
The Prize for outstanding performance on the Foundation Year
Charlie Veale, Physics with Astronomy BSc and Abbernna Kulendran, Physics with Astronomy BSc
2022 Progression prize winners
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 1
Lana Pounder, Physics BSc
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 2
Ewan Barclay, Physics (research placement) MPhys
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 3 of MPhys courses
Grace Marten, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
The Prize for outstanding performance on the Foundation Year
Samela Costa Santos , MPhys Physics with Astrophysics
"I am honoured to accept this award from Physics and Astronomy and want to thank my parents for always supporting me and buying me lots of books as a child. I also want to thank the department for supporting students during these challenging times." - Grace Marten
2021 Progression prize winners
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 1
Ewan Barclay, Physics (research placement) MPhys
The Prize for outstanding achievement in year 2
Grace Marten, Physics with Astrophysics MPhys
Prize for outstanding achievement in year 3 on MPhys courses
Daniel Nightingale, Physics (research placement) MPhys
The Prize for outstanding performance on the Foundation Year
Dom Matthews, Physics and Astronomy BSc
"I feel extremely privileged to be the winner of the MacQuitty Prize for the Sciences. It is an honour to be a part of such a legacy.
"Whilst I was completing my A-levels, my dad passed away suddenly, leaving behind just me and my mum. At that time, I thought a university education was out of the question for me. Luckily, my mum encouraged me to still pursue an academic path and the University of Sussex has been such an amazing place to do that.
"I have loved studying maths and it has helped me start fresh. I never imagined that I would achieve as much as I have and receiving the MacQuitty prize has taught me to believe in myself. Thank you to Dr Johnathan MacQuitty for such a generous contribution which I will use for training that will enable me to become an educator myself."
Rachel Dickerson
Winner of the MacQuitty 2020 Prize for the Sciences
Sam working in the Emergent Photonics (EPic) lab
"What an honour to be the recipient of both MPhys finalist prizes, and what a pleasure to share them both with my friend Alessandro. Many long working days and sleepless nights have culminated in these achievements, and I couldn't be more proud.
"In college, I considered dropping physics A-level in the first few weeks, convinced I wasn't cut out for it; it's a good thing I thought twice about that! My time at university has been the undisputed focal point of my young life, I have met so many wonderful people and learnt so many wonderful things. Moving forward I can reflect on 4 years of intense and meaningful personal growth, and I am so excited for the future."
Samuel Morgan
Joint winner of the Roger Tayler prize for outstanding performance on MPhys courses and the prize for the outstanding MPhys project in 2020
Read about Sam's research placements with the Emergent Photonics (EPic) research group