Program Overview

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Astrophysics with Year Abroad (MPhys)

Award: Master of Physics

Duration: 4 years

Campus: Highfield

UCAS Course code: F3FM

About this course

This specialist astrophysics course offers an unrivalled opportunity to study astrophysics with a year abroad. You'll spend your fourth year on a research project at the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) in Boston, USA. We are the only UK university that partners with Harvard in this way.

This flagship course is offered to the best University of Southampton astrophysics students studying our MPhys Physics with Astronomy degree at the end of year 2.

Another feature is a 2-week field trip to Tenerife where you’ll take part in a space mission design project.

You’ll also spend a week at an observatory learning to use high-spec telescopes.

As part of your astrophysics degree, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of:

• the make-up, dynamics and environment of galaxies
• the life cycle of stars
• how radiation is produced and detected in a cosmic setting
• the space environment and space weather
• concepts of modern cosmology, including the nature of dark matter

You’ll also learn the science behind powerful phenomena such as white dwarfs, black holes and neutron stars, the evolution of the universe, the formation of galaxies and space weather.

Entry requirements

• A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)
• Pass, with 38-36 points overall, with 19-18 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and 6 at Higher Level in physics
• D-D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA-AA in A-level physics and A-level mathematics or further mathematics
• H1,H1,H1,H2,H2,H2- H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics
• D2 D3 D3 - D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including physics (minimum grade D3) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade D3)
• A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A)

Course structure

• Year 1: core modules on the key principles of physics and experimentation
• Year 2: core modules on electromagnetism, quantum physics, mechanics, wave physics, and galaxies
• Year 3: core modules on atomic physics, computer techniques in physics, cosmology, nuclei and particles, photons in astrophysics, stellar evolution, and theories of matter, space and time
• Year 4: research thesis at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA)

Modules

• Electricity and Magnetism
• Energy and Matter
• Introduction to Astronomy and Space Science
• Mathematical Methods For Physical Scientists 1b
• Mathematical Methods for Physical Scientists 1a
• Motion and Relativity
• Physics Skills - Programming and Data Analysis
• Physics Skills 1
• Physics Skills 2
• Waves, Light and Quanta
• Classical Mechanics
• Design and Observation in Astronomy
• Electromagnetism
• Galaxies
• Physics from Evidence I
• Quantum Physics
• Statistical Mechanics
• Wave Physics
• Atomic Physics
• Computer Techniques in Physics
• Cosmology
• Nuclei and Particles
• Photons in Astrophysics
• Stellar Evolution
• Theories of Matter, Space and Time
• Research Thesis - Astrophysics

Learning and assessment

• Lectures
• Classes and tutorials
• Coursework
• Individual and group projects
• Independent learning
• Assessment breakdown:
  • Year 1: 44% written exam, 38% coursework, 18% practical exam
  • Year 2: 59% written exam, 33% coursework, 8% practical exam
  • Year 3: 66% written exam, 31% coursework, 3% practical exam
  • Year 4: 70% written exam, 29% coursework, 1% practical exam

Careers and employability

• Employability skills: research, critical thinking, self-management, confidence, communication, teamwork, creativity, adaptability, problem solving, resilience
• Career pathways: data scientist, aerospace engineer, systems analyst, research scientist, astronomer, meteorologist, medical physicist, laboratory technician
• Wider career opportunities: project manager, university lecturer, planetarium director, scientific journalist, patent attorney, business analyst
• Job prospects: £35k average professional salary, 88% in a skilled profession or further study, 96% graduate employment rate

Fees, costs and funding

• Tuition fees: £9,535 (UK), £28,800 (EU and international)
• What your fees pay for: full cost of tuition and standard exams
• Bursaries, scholarships and other funding: University of Southampton bursary, scholarships, grants
• Support during your course: Student Hub, Student Support fund, other sources of financial support

How to apply

• UCAS course code: F3FM
• UCAS institution code: S27
• Apply through UCAS
• What happens after you apply: assessment of predicted grades, academic achievements, personal statement, academic reference
• Equality and diversity: treated and selected in line with the University of Southampton's Equality and Diversity Statement

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