MSc Astrophysics

Program Overview

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MSc Astrophysics | Part-time

About this course

This MSc in Astrophysics is delivered by world-leading Astrophysics researchers at Liverpool John Moores University and is designed to facilitate further postgraduate and PhD study.

• Access the two metre research-class robotic Liverpool telescope - designed and built by LJMU experts
• Learn from academics who are world-leading researchers
• Carry out original research in a wide range of areas
• Gain a qualification which facilitates continued study at PhD level

An ideal choice if you prefer the flexibility of studying remotely and gaining a Masters qualification by distance learning. Each module provides the opportunity to explore current literature, with support from experienced tutors, all of whom are engaged in cutting-edge astrophysical research. Many of the research topics are observational studies, which can be supported by access to the Liverpool Telescope, a two-metre aperture research-quality robotic telescope, sited on La Palma in the Canary Islands.

The robotic nature of the telescope means that you do not travel to the telescope, but interact with it via a computer interface, giving unrivalled flexibility for studying rapidly changing objects in the night sky. This course is an excellent way to specialise and further your academic career in the exciting and dynamic astrophysics field.

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.

Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

• Astrophysical Concepts (30 credits)
  • Develops your understanding of concepts in astrophysics.
  • Develops your knowledge of grounding in orbital mechanics and the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
  • Provides an understanding of the physical processes which determine all aspects of the structure and evolution of stars.
  • Introduces you to the diversity of galaxy morphologies, dynamics evolution and components.
  • Allows you to illustrate the importance of multi-wavelength observational approaches to the study of galaxies.
• Astrophysics Project (60 credits)
  • Develops the skills required to undertake real scientific research.
  • Enables you to work independently on an original problem.
  • Display qualities and skills such as initiative, ingenuity and communication.
  • Develop and analyse independent research.
• Astronomical Techniques (30 credits)
  • Aims to develop your in-depth understanding of the fundamental concepts underlying observational astrophysics.
  • Enables you to perform detailed procedures of astronomical data reduction, analysis, error inference, interpretation of results and the writing up of scientific reports and reviews in journal format.
• Cosmology (30 credits)
  • Provides the theoretical background required to understand various cosmological models including the favoured CDM model.
  • Gives an understanding of modern observational cosmology.
  • Enables you to make detailed cosmological measurements from galaxy or cluster survey data.

Optional modules

• Numerical Methods in Astrophysics (30 credits)
  • Aims to give students an understanding of programming basics and provide students with practical experience of using computational techniques extensively employed by researchers in astronomy and astrophysics.
  • There will be particular emphasis on developing independent learning skills and IT capability to access and extract relevant scientific information via the Virtual Learning Environment and databases available from LJMU.
• Time-Domain Astrophysics (30 credits)
  • Aims to develop your understanding of the transient Universe, and the techniques and facilities used to investigate this realm.
  • Provides a sound understanding of the physical processes driving phenomena such as explosive transients.
  • Introduces the concepts of time domain astrophysics and the techniques used to analyse and understand it.
  • Develops your independent learning skills and IT capability to access and extract relevant scientific information.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

• Study hours
  • This is a distance learning programme; thus, you will define your own particular study hours.
  • The UK recommendation is to allocate 10 hours of study per credit on the course.
• Teaching methods
  • You will learn through pre-recorded lectures, directed reading, focused literature review exercises, coursework assignments, student discussion groups and tutorials.
  • All learning materials are delivered by LJMU's Virtual Learning Environment.
  • You will have access to all the major astrophysical research journals and a carefully selected range of e-books to support your studies and extend your reading.
• Applied learning
  • Access to The Liverpool Telescope means that you can put your learning into practice.

How learning is monitored on your programme

• To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
• Most of the taught modules on this programme are assessed with a written examination.
• Other assignments, designed to support your learning and check progression during the course of the module, may include: quizzes, short essays and critiques of scientific papers.
• The research project and dissertation are examined by both a written report and an oral presentation/interview.
• In most cases the oral interviews will be done via video link, though you may opt to come to Liverpool to do this in person.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

• LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation.
• Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

This Astrophysics MSc programme is particularly focussed on preparing you for a research career in astronomy, astrophysics, space science or related disciplines. In these areas, entry to top-level research is almost always via the PhD route, and it is anticipated that most of the students taking this MSc will be interested in further study at PhD level and beyond. The ARI has a long-standing and healthy PhD programme and we are well-placed to help you in applying for PhD places on our own programme and in other institutions worldwide.

The MSc itself provides the opportunity for you to plan and complete a substantial programme of original research at the highest level. All projects should have the potential to result in papers in refereed journals.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Part-time per credit: £54.65

International

• Part-time per credit: £78.75

Fees

• The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.

Financial Support

• There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students.
• From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
• The University offers a range of financial support for students.
• You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

• In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

Home

• Qualification requirements:
  • A minimum 2:2 in the physical sciences or a STEM discipline (e.g. science, technology, engineering, mathematics, etc.)
  • A good knowledge of basic physics at degree level, and competence in mathematical techniques including calculus, differential equations and complex numbers

International

• Qualification requirements:
  • A minimum 2:2 in the physical sciences or a STEM discipline (e.g. science, technology, engineering, mathematics, etc.)
  • A good knowledge of basic physics at degree level, and competence in mathematical techniques including calculus, differential equations and complex numbers
• IELTS: 6.5 (minimum of 5.5 in each component)

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

• To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form.
• You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
• Applicants who do not hold a degree in a relevant subject will be considered on their individual merits in relation to the programme.
• Professional experience, publications, CPD activities and other suitable evidence of accomplishment will be taken into account.