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MPhys

Astrophysics

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

4 Years

Start

September 2023

UCAS Code

F511

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation entry

Did you ever wonder how stars and galaxies came to be? Astrophysics can provide the answer – with the skills, methods and knowledge to investigate the physics of our universe.

Studying our Astrophysics MPhys (Hons) programme offers the opportunity to explore the very fabric of our universe. You’ll develop skills in various scientific methods, while learning how physics applies to stellar objects and systems.

With us, you’ll work in a state-of-the art learning environment for practical analysis, interpretation and modelling of astronomical data, developing a sophisticated practical and theoretical knowledge base. You’ll also get the chance to spend a year abroad, whether studying at a partner institution or working with an approved research project. We collaborate with some of the world’s leaders in the field, including NASA and the Southern African Large Telescope.

By the time you graduate, you should leave us with well-developed excellent observational, mathematical and logical skills, coupled with keen problem-solving abilities. It’s the kind of mix that’s attractive to employers in a wide range of sectors – from medical physics and education to oil and gas.

Why study with us

1st
in the UK for academic support
National Student Survey (Physics and Astronomy) (compared with unis in the Guardian University Guide)
2023
6th
in the UK for overall positivity
National Student Survey (Physics and Astronomy) (compared with unis in the Guardian University Guide)
2023
2nd
in the North West for student satisfaction
Complete University Guide (Physics and Astronomy)
2024

Learn at one of the UK’s best-equipped teaching observatories, with our recent £200,000 investment in probably the most powerful modern optical telescope available in the country.
You’ll have access to specialist laboratory facilities for the study of nuclear physics, mechanics, optics, quantum physics, laser physics, spectroscopy and astrophysics.
You’ll develop your mathematical skills, and benefit from a state-of-the art learning environment for practical analysis, interpretation and modelling of astronomical data.

Interested?

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What you’ll do

Because the course starts off with the same modules as our Physics and Physics with Astrophysics courses, you can swap courses at the end of your first year.
Our MPhys route is highly recommended if you’re planning a career in scientific research.
You’ll become an active part of our vibrant research culture, learning from research-informed teaching, working on projects and even joining funded internships.

Module overview

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Visit us this autumn

Discover our facilities, explore campus and talk to academic staff and students about the courses you want to study at one of our autumn Open Days.

Book an Open Day

View the course facilities

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the IOP, the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. On completion of this course graduates can progress towards Chartered Physicist (Phys) status.

Future careers

Our MPhys (Hons) Astrophysics degree course provides the analytical and mathematical skills which are prized across a range of industries, as well as a strong foundation for a career in research.

Graduates of physics and astrophysics are among the most employable in the world, with the advanced understanding and skills which are prized across a range of technical and business sectors.

As such, you’ll find our graduates working in industry, government research institutes, overseas laboratories and observatories. It can even provide a route into careers in finance, teaching and scientific journalism too.

The course comes with the chance to take a 48-week sandwich placement between your second and third years. You could study abroad with one of our partner universities, or you could work on a project within a research group – in Europe, South Africa or even in the USA with NASA. This offers a vital opportunity to consolidate what you’ve already learned, while gaining the kind of experience that offers a competitive advantage in the busy jobs market.

For those looking ahead to a career in a scientific research, this course can provide the perfect start – by adding a fourth year and achieving an MPhys qualification.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,385 for the sandwich year

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,500 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£16,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

Care Leaver Bursary
Our Care Leaver Bursary is for students who need extra support because they have been in care or are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Care Leaver Bursary
Estranged student support
Estranged Student Support Bursary is for students who need extra support because they are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Estranged student support
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Contextualised Admissions Bursary
We recognise that the last two years have been very challenging for young people and learning has been impacted. To help support students eligible for a contextualised offer we are offering a bursary of £250 in their first year of study.
Find out more about Contextualised Admissions Bursary

We use a variety of teaching methods to support you through your studies. While you’ll have lectures, seminars and tutorials, there are also more practical sessions including observatory experiments, laboratory work and problem classes. We keep our classes small to make sure you can make the most of your contact time with tutors, but you’ll also need to do plenty of independent study outside the classroom.

Here, you’ll have the chance to get to grips with truly cutting-edge facilities. We have one of the finest teaching observatories in the UK – the Alston Observatory – where you can make real astronomical observations on our 70cm diameter robotic telescope, a recent £200,000 investment.

The rest of our facilities are just as impressive, with state-of-the-art facilities for practical analysis, interpretation and modelling of astronomical data, and for using specialised software employed by research staff within the Centre for Astrophysics. All of which can prepare you for the challenges of Earth-bound applications.

You’ll learn from an expert team – members of our Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, of which the vast majority hold PhDs. When they’re not teaching students like you, they’re busy researching areas like galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, stellar astrophysics, and solar physics. Many of the team have a national or international research reputation, as assessed by the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF).

As you progress through the course, we’ll monitor your learning through a combination of exams, assignments, log books, reports and presentations.

Interested?

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This course is based in the School of Engineering and Computing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

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Astrophysics

Why study with us

What you’ll do

Module overview

Course delivery

Visit us this autumn

View the course facilities

Accreditations

Future careers

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Care Leaver Bursary

Estranged student support

Dependants Bursary

Contextualised Admissions Bursary

Learning and assessment

Industry links