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BSc (Hons)

Physics with Astrophysics

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

F3F5

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation Entry

Do you have a passion for stars and galaxies? Want to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of all matter? Combine a focus on Astrophysics with the wider perspective of Physics with our Physics with Astrophysics degree.

This degree brings together aspects of two of our courses to offer a programme that’s full of possibilities. It covers a comprehensive range of topics, from quantum physics to the structure of the universe. As such, you’ll gain an in-depth knowledge of the laws of physics, and of the stars and galaxies. You'll gain mathematical skills and practical laboratory experience.

It’s a popular route if you want to keep your options open. You'll get a solid base that you can build on with further study, and have the chance to switch your focus to one of our other physics-based courses. You could even take the sandwich year option, by adding a year’s study abroad or working on a placement as part of your degree.

By the time you graduate, you should be a proven problem solver ready to take on challenges with creative thinking. You'll develop practical skills by planning experiments, and processing, analysing and interpreting data. This means you’ll be ready to pursue a range of careers.

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

You’ll explore concepts spanning basic theory to discoveries at the forefront of the field, giving you the knowledge, skills and confidence to be a part of future advances and innovations.
You’ll learn at one of the UK’s best-equipped teaching observatories, with 20+ telescopes, including one of the most powerful available.
This course is shaped by world-leading work in astrophysics and physics. With pioneering research in nanoscience, computational and experimental physics.

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Physics with Astrophysics gallery01 / 04

Physics with Astrophysics01 / 03

Discover the amazing recreation of the sun

What you’ll do

This course has the same introductory modules as our physics and astrophysics courses. Meaning, you could opt to make a change at the end of your first year.
If you’re doing well and you’d like to focus on research, you’ll have the chance to step up into our four-year MPhys at the end of your second year.
You can choose to take a sandwich year between your second and third year. Whether studying abroad or gaining valuable skills and experience on a work placement.

Module overview

Course delivery

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

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

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

Physics with Astrophysics 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

What jobs can you do with a BSc (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics degree? You'll be ready to pursue a wide range of careers. You'll get the skills and knowledge that places you among the most employable graduates in the world.

The analytical and mathematical skills you’ll develop on this course come at a premium across many industry sectors. Along with the advanced scientific knowledge the degree offers, these skills can open various career paths. This can range from government and science to finance and business. Many of our graduates have gone on to work in research institutes and laboratories. Others have become teachers, analysts and even journalists.

As part of the course, you can opt to spend a year away from campus. Whether studying abroad with one of our academic partners or working on a placement in industry. A placement provides a valuable opportunity to build on your first two years of study. Also, you'll gain the practical experience and real-world know-how that can radically improve your career prospects.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,385 for the sandwich year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

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 different teaching methods to guide you through this course. This includes lectures, tutorials and seminars. You'll take part in practical sessions like problem classes, laboratory work, observatory experiments and group work. And, as you study, we’ll also use a variety of methods to assess your progress. With written examinations, assessed problem sheets, logbooks, scientific reports and presentations, among others.

We’ve recently invested in our physics laboratories, so you’ll be able to get to grips with a range of industry-standard facilities. These include nanophysics labs, nuclear labs, precision optics, lasers, spectroscopy and more. But the real jewel in the crown for the astrophysics aspect of the course is our Alston Observatory. One of the finest teaching observatories in the UK, it’s equipped with more than 20 high-spec telescopes. Including the state-of-the-art, 70cm-diameter robotic telescope, a recent £200,000 investment.

It’s an impressive learning environment. But people are just as important. Thankfully, we have a talented team to help you learn. The vast majority of our staff hold PhDs and when they’re not teaching, they’re producing leading-edge research. This includes areas like:

Galactic and extragalactic astrophysics
Stellar astrophysics
Solar physics
Nanophysics
Magnetism in strongly correlated systems
Ionic liquids, and much more.

Many of the team have a national or international research reputation. As assessed by the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF).

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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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