Astrophysics BSc (Honours)

Program Overview

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UCAS Code and Duration

• UCAS Code: F511
• Start Date: September 2025
• End Date: September 2029
• Duration: Four years full time
• School: School of Physics and Astronomy

Entry Requirements

SQA Highers

• Standard entry grades: AAAA, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: AAAB, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.
• Gateway entry grades: Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

GCE A-Levels

• Standard entry grades: AAA, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: AAB, including A in both: Mathematics and Physics.

IB Points

• Standard entry grades: 38 (HL 6,6,6), including HL6 in both Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL5 in both Mathematics and Physics.

General Entry Requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.
• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Do I Need to Have Studied This Subject Before?

Students must have studied both Physics and Mathematics at SQA Highers, GCE A-Levels, or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications.

Alternative Study Options

Other BSc Programmes

Students interested in this course may also be interested in the BSc in Physics.

Direct Entry to Second Year

Well-qualified school and college leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year. This allows them to complete their degree programme in three years instead of four. Find out more about direct entry to second year for Astrophysics BSc.

Integrated Masters

It is possible to take Astrophysics as a five-year Integrated Masters course, allowing you to graduate with a Master in Physics. Direct entry into second year for an Integrated Masters is also possible, allowing you to complete an Integrated Masters degree programme in four years instead of five. Students interested in this course may also be interested in the Integrated Masters course in Physics.

Study Abroad

Physics and astronomy students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad website.

International Applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course Details

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in astrophysics alongside modules in physics and mathematics.

• First year
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics 1
  • Physics 1A
  • Physics 1B
  • Mathematics
• Second year
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics 2
  • Physics 2A
  • Physics 2B
  • Linear Mathematics
  • Multivariate Calculus
• Honours
  • Atomic, nuclear, and particle physics
  • Computational astrophysics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Extragalactic astronomy
  • Observational astrophysics
  • Quantum mechanics
  • The physics of nebulae and stars
  • Thermal and statistical physics

Teaching

• Teaching format
  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Laboratory work
• Assessment
  • Coursework
  • Written examinations
• Support
  • The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities.

Fees

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535
• EU and overseas: £31,670

Additional Costs

• There are no additional fees for labs and lab equipment in the School.
• Most students in the 'Transferable Skills for Physicists' module are normally expected to attend the residential conference weekend in the Scottish countryside, and are asked to make a contribution (currently £40) towards the costs of the weekend.
• In line with University policy, the School expects its students to purchase one or two textbooks as part of their study.

Careers

At the end of the degree, graduates should be equipped with the following skills that are valued in a wide range of occupations:

• The ability to determine what information is needed to solve a problem, and a knowledge of where to find or generate such information
• Applicable mathematical and computational techniques and where to use them
• Knowledge and understanding of fundamental physical laws and principles
• The ability to analyse data and evaluate the level of uncertainty in results
• Skills to identify relevant principles and laws of physics when dealing with problems
• Communication skills including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely

Graduates from the School of Physics and Astronomy have found employment in fields including:

• Physics and astrophysics research and outreach
• Banking and commerce
• Biophysics
• Computing
• Financial services
• Geophysics
• Meteorology
• Patents
• Research and development in industry and in government agencies
• Software development