Research and teaching in physics at the university level are carried our in the six physics departments in local universities. It is estimated that the six departments produce over 300 physics/applied physics/materials science majors each year.

All the six departments offer postgraduate programmes leading to PhD/MPhil/MSc degrees. Currently, over 200 postgraduate students are studying in these programmes. Besides support from the universities, physics researchers in Hong Kong may seek research funds from the Research Grants Council (RGC) and the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) administrated by the Industry Department of Hong Kong SAR Government.