Physics with Astronomy

Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Physics with Astronomy

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Taught by world-leading academics from both LJMU and the University of Liverpool
• Second-year field trip to a Tenerife observatory
• Eligibility to join the Institute of Physics to obtain Chartered Physicist status on graduation
• Friendly department with an 'open door' policy and active physics society
• Eligibility for generous University of Liverpool attainment scholarships and University of Liverpool bursaries on application

About your course

The BSc (Hons) Physics with Astronomy is taught jointly by world-leading academics from Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool. During your degree, you will have access to LJMU's Liverpool Telescope, one of the world's largest robotic telescopes.

You will be taught by world-leading academics and benefit from specialist facilities at both universities, including a purpose-built astrophysics teaching laboratory. You will also have access to a number of observatories so you can perfect your skills in astronomical measurement and experience using state-of-the-art detector technology.

In the second year you can spend a week at the Izana Observatory on Tenerife or alternatively undertake a week-long project at the Astrophysics Research Institute.

In your final year you have access to the largest robotically controlled telescope in the world LJMUs own two-metre aperture Liverpool Telescope, which is sited on La Palma in the Canary Islands. You will also have the chance to use our own city-centre observatory equipped with a 12-inch computer controlled telescope.

In Level 4, you will cover core physical and mathematical techniques and the main strands of physics, but there is the flexibility to specialise as the course progresses. If, at the end of Level 4, you decide that astronomy isn't for you, you have the option to transfer to another of our physics programmes. You can also transfer to the four year MPhys at the end of Level 5.

Professional accreditation

Once you graduate you will be eligible to join the Institute of Physics to obtain Chartered Physicist status.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Support Assessment

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

Teaching is via lectures, tutorials, practicals, project work, online activities and science communication assignments in addition to private study time.

In addition to the specialist skills and knowledge you will gain on this degree course, you will acquire a range of transferable skills in problem-solving, numeracy, analysis, practical experimentation, computing, teamwork and communication all of which are attractive to potential employers. These World of Work skills are vital in preparing you to compete successfully on the open job market once you graduate.

A Physics degree is the gateway to a whole range of careers including fundamental research, industrial research and development, teaching and the worlds of computing, business and finance. Employers respect the dedication and hard work required to obtain a good degree in Physics, and they find the range of transferable skills acquired during the course particularly attractive.

Physicists are trained to solve a wide range of problems and are equipped with skills of numeracy, analysis, practical experimentation, computing, teamwork, and both written and verbal communication. This allows them to explore careers in many areas including pure research, telecommunications, microelectronics, renewable energy, nuclear power and instrumentation, cryogenics, astronomy, geophysics, medical physics, materials science, information technology, commerce and management.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

There are various forms of support available to you when you study at LJMU. From the moment you enrol at the University, a personal tutor will meet you regularly on a one-to-one basis to discuss your personal development needs. At the same time, teaching staff operate an open door policy, which means you can consult them at any time if you have issues with your work. We provide academic counselling and advice on your yearly choice of modules and learning support sessions to develop your key skills are provided right from the start of the course.

This course has the added advantage of being able to offer you financial support in the form of University of Liverpool scholarships and bursaries.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Most modules are assessed by a two or three-hour exam in January or May in addition to coursework assessments which might be homework, class tests, mini-project work or key skills exercises. Practical modules are assessed entirely by coursework. If you undertake a major project, it will be assessed by two independent examiners and you will be expected to give a presentation to fellow students and staff assessors. The final degree result is based on the last two years of this three-year programme.

Career paths

This degree opens the gateway to careers in research, development and teaching as well as in computing, business and finance.

LJMU graduates have gone on to secure employment in:

• pure research
• telecommunications
• microelectronics
• renewable energy
• nuclear power and instrumentation
• cryogenics
• astronomy
• geophysics
• medical physics
• materials science
• information technology
• commerce and management

Tuition fees and funding

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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 Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding 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 including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
• Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: 128

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

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Qualification requirements

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GCSEs and equivalents

Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:

• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

• Minimum number of A Levels required: 3
• Subject specific requirements: Maths and Physics
• Is general studies acceptable? No
• Average A Level offer: ABB
• Are AS level awards acceptable? No

BTECs

• National Certificate (RQF): Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
• National Diploma (RQF): Not acceptable
• National Extended Diploma (RQF): Not acceptable

Access awards

• Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Not acceptable

International Baccalaureate

• International Baccalaureate: Not acceptable

Irish awards

• Irish Leaving Certificate: Not acceptable

Welsh awards

• Welsh Baccalaureate: Not acceptable

Additional requirements

• Interview required

No interview required (UCAS application form only)

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements****Is a DBS check required?

No

Can this course be deferred?

Yes

• Reduced offer scheme

As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.

International requirements

IELTS

6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.

Further information

• DBS, Occupational Health requirements****Is a DBS check required?

No

Can this course be deferred?

Yes

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here

Call the University of Liverpool for details .

Your university life

From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.

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Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.

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See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you're making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

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News and views

Browse through the latest news and stories from the university

News

24 April 2025 LJMU telescope played major role in Gaia 'eye of Galaxy'

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15 April 2025 What is a pink moon?

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21 March 2025 Oxygen discovered in most distant early galaxy

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16 October 2024 New Scientist Live 'huge success' for astrophysicists

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15 October 2024 Opening new frontiers in Space!

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07 October 2024 Space Oddity: Most distant disc galaxy discovered

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27 September 2024 The universe is smoother than the standard model of cosmology suggests – so is the theory broken?

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15 July 2024 Astronomers find the nearest massive black hole to Earth

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14 June 2024 Liverpool Telescope team scoop Institute of Physics award

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The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.

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Find out more about studying for an MPhys (Hons) degree in Astrophysics at LJMU. Apply now to take the next steps towards your future.

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