MPhys (Hons) Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Southsea, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,250 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £18,300/year: international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
95% of the universe exists in a form we still don't understand. Explore stars, galaxies, black holes and gravitational waves – joining an international community looking for answers.
In this Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology degree course, you’ll deepen your understanding of the fundamental laws of physics and apply this knowledge to the structure and behaviour of some of the largest and smallest elements of existence.
You'll be taught by and study alongside researchers from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG). They lead major international projects, such as the European Space Agency Euclid satellite. You’ll graduate with mathematical and computational knowledge sought after by employers in many industries, from aerospace to finance.
BSc or MPhys?
You can study this course as a 3-year Bachelor's degree (BSc) or a 4-year integrated Master's degree (MPhys). The MPhys allows you to achieve a Master’s degree with just one extra year of undergraduate study, further enhancing your career prospects.
Course highlights
- See physics theory in practice through visits to aerospace companies such as BAE Systems, Airbus Defence and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
- Access Hampshire Astronomical Group facilities at Clanfield Observatory, including various telescopes such as a 24-inch reflector, to observe the stars and galaxies and collect project data.
- Study alongside researchers from the University's physics research teams (and contribute to their work in your final project), whose research was ranked 6th in the UK for quality.
- Use advanced technical equipment with the help of expert technical staff, including x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, electron and atomic force microscopes, various types of spectroscopy and the SCIAMA supercomputer.
- Develop the professional skills and standards you need as a practising physicist through a major research project in your final year.
- Access large datasets produced by international-level sky surveys, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, when you take the MPhys degree course.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IoP).
As a supporter of the Institute of Physics Project Juno, we're committed to addressing the under-representation of women in physics and gender equality in higher education and research.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Year 1
Core modules
- Electricity and Magnetism – 20 credits
- Introduction to Computational Physics – 20 credits
- Introduction to Laboratory and Field Physics – 20 credits
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 1 – 20 credits
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 2 – 20 credits
- Space Science and Applications of Physics - 20 credits
Year 2
Core modules
- Introduction to Modern Physics – 20 credits
- Mathematical Physics – 20 credits
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics - 20 credits
- Waves and Optics - 20 credits
Optional modules
- Computational Physics – 20 credits
- Industrial Placement – Physics – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language (IWLP) – 20 credits
- Mechanics and Dynamics – 20 credits
- Practical Laboratory And Field Physics – 20 credits
- Universe: Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies - 20 credits
Year 3
Core modules
- Modern Astrophysics – 20 credits
- Physical Cosmology – 20 credits
- Solid State Physics and Detectors - 20 credits
Optional modules
- Group Project – 20 credits
- Health Physics – 20 credits
- Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology – 20 credits
- Introduction to Multiferroic Materials and their Applications – 20 credits
- Mathematical Methods for Physics – 20 credits
- Nanoscale Surface Physics – 20 credits
- Particle Physics – 20 credits
- Project – 20 credits
- Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information – 20 credits
- Statistical Learning - 20 credits
- Undergraduate Ambassador – 20 credits
Year 4 (MPhys)
Core modules
- Advanced Research Project – 60 credits
Optional modules
- Advanced Computational Techniques – 20 credits
- Advanced Instrumentation – 20 credits
- Contemporary Theoretical Physics - 20 credits
- Microwave and High-Speed Digital Design – 20 credits
- Modern Astrophysics II – 20 credits
- Observational Astronomy and Cosmology – 20 credits
Placement year (optional)
To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, we can help you identify placements, internships and volunteer opportunities that will complement your studies.
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. In your placement year, you can also set up a business on your own or in a group. We'll give you all the support you need to find a placement that prepares you for your career, and we'll continue to mentor you throughout your placement.
Potential roles
Previous students have taken placement roles such as:
- flight physics intern
- medical and health physicists
- data engineer
- physics engineer in the defence sector
- industrial placement estimating
- Vulcan laser beam diagnostics physicist
- advanced laser technology and applications development scientist
Potential destinations
They've completed placements at organisations including:
- MBDA Systems
- BAE Systems
- Airbus
- Reaction Engines Ltd
- STFC
- QinetiQ
Career Opportunities
The UK government has an ambitious plan to double investment in the space economy by 2030, which means there's now high demand for skilled people to meet this growth. The sector is currently recruiting more graduates than before and giving further training internally.
Physics and astronomy graduates earn an average of £33,500 5 years after graduation, and you've got the potential to reach a salary in the range of £40,000 to £75,000 as a senior professional, professor or researcher.
What jobs can you do with a physics, astrophysics and cosmology degree?
You could apply your skills and knowledge in areas such as:
- cosmology
- astrophysics
- astronomy and theoretical physics
- space systems and aerospace industry
- education
- scientific journalism
- medical physics
- finance
- data analysis
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities and work experience. Towards the end of your degree and after graduation, you'll get 1-to-1 support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to find your perfect role.