Program Overview

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Astrophysics (with Foundation Year), BSc (Hons)

Attendance

Full-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

4 years

UCAS Code

F471

Delivery

In-person

Study abroad option

Placement option

Why study with us

• 1st in the UK for academic support (National Student Survey, Physics and Astronomy, 2023)
• 6th in the UK for overall positivity (National Student Survey, Physics and Astronomy, 2023)
• 2nd in the North West for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, Physics and Astronomy, 2024)
• 5th in the UK for teaching quality (Times Good University Guide, Physics and Astronomy, 2024)

What you'll do

• Develop your physics knowledge, studying topics like motion, force, and quantum mechanics
• Use the University's Alston Observatory, one of the largest teaching observatories in the UK
• Benefit from an excellent learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities for practical analysis, interpretation, and modeling of astronomical data

Modules

Foundation year

• Foundations of Applied Physics
• Motion, Forces and Force Fields
• The Road to Quantum Mechanics
• Pure Mathematics and Statistics
• Mathematical Methods

Year 1

• Astrophysics I
• Fundamentals of Physics
• Applied and Computational Physics
• Functions, Vectors and Calculus

Year 2

• Astrophysics II
• Principles of Physics
• Properties of Matter
• Second Year Laboratory
• Ordinary Differential Equations

Year 3

• Formation, Structure and Evolution of Stars
• Cosmology and Galaxies
• Third Year Laboratory
• Physics/Astronomy Project
• UAS Teaching Placement

Optional modules

• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Atomic Physics and Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Electrodynamics, Plasma and Solar Physics
• Partial Differential Equations and Integral Transforms

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 64 points including 32 from A Level or AS Level Maths and/or Physics
• BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Engineering MPP is accepted alongside GCSE Maths at grade A/7, AS Maths or alternative proof of mathematical ability on a case-by-case basis
• Pass Access Course: 64 points including 15 credits at level 3 in each of Maths and Physics
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 64 points from Higher Level subjects and Higher Level Maths and Physics
• T Level: P (D or E) in Science or Engineering is accepted alongside GCSE Maths at grade A/7, AS Maths or alternative proof of Mathematical ability on a case-by-case basis
• IELTS: grade 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• GCSEs: 5 at Grade C/4

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,535 for the first year, £9,535 per year
• International: £17,250 for the first year, £17,325 per year

Additional costs

• As part of your course, there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees

Scholarships and bursaries

• Care Leaver Bursary
• Estranged student support
• Dependants Bursary
• Foundation Year Bursary

Learning and assessment

• Lectures, tutorials, seminars, problem-solving classes, laboratory work, observatory experiments, individual project work, and group work
• Assessed by a combination of written examinations, assignments, laboratory logbooks and reports, project reports, and presentations

Further information

• The course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP)
• The master's MPhys course gives you the chance to study to a greater depth than is possible on the Bachelors course, and takes an extra year to complete
• You can choose if you want to continue on to the MPhys route and, if you’re planning a career in scientific research, we strongly recommend the MPhys qualification
• The MPhys individual project provides an introduction to research and lasts a whole semester in the final year
• You can study abroad within a collaborating research group (such as Florence, Italy, South Africa, or NASA)