Best Physics Graduate Schools for QFT, GR, and HEP?

[Joshua L]

Hey guys, just curious of your opinions on this matter. Which graduate schools are the best to earn a Ph.D. in physics theory from and research in concerning the theoretical sub-fields Quantum Field Theory, General Relativity, and Elementary Particle Physics (maybe String Theory)? Which has the most valuable education, opportunities, and (dare I say) prestige? Anywhere in the US or UK sounds great. Thanks!

 

[radium]

In the US, I would say Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and, MIT (in terms of overall strength/prestige and in no particular order) and then Berkeley, UCSB, and UChicago. These schools will all provide you with plentiful opportunities.

For the last three, you should note that the funding for the physics department at UChicago has been great lately. They have recruited some truly outstanding faculty in the past few years and have been building up areas like CM and AMO quite a bit. Part of this may have to do with their being a lot of physicists in high administrative positions. At UCSB and Berkeley, you may have to teach quite a bit since they are large state schools.