Program Overview

Physics with Astrophysics MSci

Overview

The Physics with Astrophysics MSci program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of physics and astrophysics. The program covers a wide range of topics, including classical mechanics, relativity, vibrations and waves, quantum physics, and thermal physics.

Entry Requirements

• AAA at A level, including A level maths and physics
• 34 points overall or 666 in 3 HL certificates at IB
• GCSE English language 4 (C)
• Excluded subjects: General studies, critical thinking, citizenship studies, leisure studies, functional skills, global perspectives

Additional Entry Requirements

• Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Alternative Qualifications

• We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education. Consequently, we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we also accept students with a range of less conventional qualifications including:
  • Access to HE Diploma (in combination with A level)
  • Advanced Diploma
  • BTEC HND/HNC (in place of a third A level)
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (in place of a third A level)

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 per year (UK undergraduate students)
• £30,750 per year (International students)

Additional Costs

• All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus.
• You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies. If you do these would cost around £40.
• If you study abroad, you need to consider the travel and living costs associated with your country of choice. This may include visa costs and medical insurance.

Scholarships and Bursaries

• We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
• Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year.

Course Overview

• The course covers a wide range of topics, including classical mechanics, relativity, vibrations and waves, quantum physics, and thermal physics.
• You will have opportunities to conduct astronomical research by gathering data from our rooftop facilities and telescopes.
• Project work may involve analysing data from international facilities such as the Hubble Space Telescope or supercomputing cosmological simulations.

Modules

• Year 1:
  • Mathematical Methods and Modelling for Physicists
  • Fundamentals of Classical and Modern Physics
  • Investigations in Physics I
• Year 2:
  • Electromagnetism and Optics
  • Investigations in Physics II
  • Professional Skills for Physicists
  • Stars and Their Exoplanets
  • Quantum and Statistical Physics
• Year 3:
  • Astrophysics at the Extremes
  • From Quarks to Crystals
  • Galaxies and Cosmology
  • Methods of Computational Astrophysics
  • Physics Group Project
  • Advanced Quantum Physics
  • Bioelectrical Processes and Measurements
  • Elementary Particle Physics
  • Imaging with Non-Ionizing Radiation
  • Phases of Matter
  • Spacetime and Gravity
  • The Physics of Semiconductors
• Year 4:
  • Frontiers in Astrophysics
  • Research Project in Astrophysics
  • Applications of Modern Physics
  • Advanced Gravity: from Gravitational Waves to String Theory
  • Big Data and Image Processing
  • Light-Matter Interactions
  • Machine Learning in Science Part I
  • Machine Learning in Science Part II
  • Modern Ideas in Cosmology
  • Quantum Coherent Phenomena and Devices
  • Quantum Matter

Teaching Methods

• Computer labs
• Lab sessions
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Problem classes

Assessment Methods

• Coursework
• Group projects
• Lab reports
• Research project
• Written exam

Careers Overview

• Studying advanced physics will enable you to become more adaptable and better at problem solving. These are invaluable traits for any career.
• Our students go on to work in a variety of industries, including engineering, aerospace, IT, and finance, as well as academic research.
• Others use their training in communication skills to enter teaching or science communication careers.

Job Prospects

• 86.40% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Science secured employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
• The average annual salary for these graduates was £27,834.