Cardiff, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 28,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for overseas | for home year two and three: £9,250 / year one: £9,000
Key Summary
Introduction
Why Study this Course
The BSc Physics with Astronomy has an emphasis on astronomy and observational techniques and is ideal for those interested in fundamental questions about our Universe.
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP), this course aims to prepare you for a career in industrial or academic research and development, education or other sectors which require a practical, numerate and analytical approach to problem-solving.
In your first two years, you will study a core component of physics and astrophysics modules, delivered to you by a range of teaching methods. In your third year, you will study advanced astrophysics and astronomy topics in detail, with additional optional modules. You will also undertake an astrophysics research project.
You will be part of a friendly and welcoming department currently housed in the Queen’s Building complex, which contains a wide variety of purpose-built laboratories, lecture theatres and computing facilities.
Distinctive Features
The distinctive features of the course include:
- The opportunity to learn in a department which has a strong commitment to research and is home to one of the UK’s largest Astronomy research groups
- You will be able to follow your passion for both physics and astronomy while gaining the skills valued by many employers
- The involvement of research-active staff in course design and delivery
- Frequent opportunities to conduct practical work in the School’s laboratory facilities
- An emphasis on independent learning
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Loans and Grants
Financial support information for students.
Bursaries
We wish to ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier to your undergraduate study opportunities.
Scholarships
We wish to recruit the very best students and to help us achieve this, we offer a number of scholarships.
Part-time Undergraduate Funding
Information about funding for part-time students.
Financial Support for Asylum Seekers
Information for asylum seekers about the financial support we offer undergraduates and options for funding from outside the University.
Curriculum
This is a three-year full-time degree. The course includes a carefully chosen balance of core modules, along with some optional modules. Modules are worth 10 or 20 credits and you need to earn 120 credits a year.
Year One
The range of modules in year one is designed to stimulate your interest in physics while giving you a sound foundation upon which to build in later years. At the end of the first year, you may continue with your original degree choice or choose another of our single honours physics and astronomy degrees.
You will study core modules worth 120 credits.
Core Modules for Year One
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists 1
- Mechanics and Matter
- Planet Earth
- Experimental Physics
- Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
- Computational Skills for Problem Solving
- Introduction to Astrophysics
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists 2
Year Two
The second year of the course continues to build on the core physics and astrophysics material. You will also take a 20-credit module on observational techniques in astronomy. This introduces the theory and practice of making and interpreting astronomical observations and provides the necessary skills to undertake your astronomy or astrophysics research project in year three.
Core Modules for Year Two
- The Physics of Fields and Flows
- Introductory Quantum Mechanics
- Structured Programming
- Observational Techniques in Astronomy
- Thermal and Statistical Physics
- Optics
- Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
Optional Modules for Year Two
- The Stars and their Planets
- Pathways to Success in the Physics Workplace
- Biophysics
- Physics in Action: Real-World Problem Solving
- Astrophysics in Action: Real-World Problem Solving
Year Three
The final year of your degree allows you to specialise and study selected topics in depth. You will also undertake an independent project on a related topic of astronomy or astrophysics research.
Core Modules for Year Three
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
- Particle Physics and Special Relativity
- Physics Project
Optional Modules for Year Three
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computational Physics
- Formation and Evolution of Stars
- Environmental Physics
- Introduction to Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Galaxies and Galaxy Evolution
- Theoretical Physics
- Science Communication
- Radiation Protection and Diagnostic Radiology Physics
- Semiconductor Devices and Applications
- Laser Physics and Non-Linear Optics
- High-Energy Astrophysics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Commercialising Innovation
- Cosmology
- Non-Ionising Radiation in Medicine
- Radiotherapy
How Will I Be Assessed?
There are a wide variety of assessment methods. Some modules combine continuous assessment and an end-of-semester exam and others are solely based on continuous assessment.
At first, the nature and methods of experiments are clearly defined for you, but by your final year, you are expected to tackle more open-ended investigations.
Program Outcome
What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?
Studying this course will enable you to acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both discipline-specific and more generic employability skills. You will:
- Develop your experimental, analytical and investigative skills in laboratory classes
- Learn how to design experimental equipment, electronic circuitry or computer data acquisition or data reduction algorithms
- Use precise calculations or order-of-magnitude calculations in appropriate situations
- Use computer packages and/or write software
- Conduct independent research using source materials such as textbooks, scientific journals and electronic databases
- Develop your communication skills, both orally and in writing
- Enhance your teamwork skills and ability to critically appraise your own work and the work of others
- Develop your ability to undertake independent learning and effectively manage your time
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
We provide a range of support to help our students find the career opportunities that suit them best, such as a Careers Adviser who is located part-time in the School, on-site careers fairs and employer visits. We also aim to prepare our students by providing them with the skills they need to succeed in obtaining jobs and feeling confident in their chosen workplace.
Employers included UK and international universities plus a range of organisations such as Rolls Royce, European Space Agency, Lockheed Martin, National Instruments and Barclays.
Graduate Careers
- Research scientist
- Statistician
- Data Analyst
- Science Communicator
- Banking and Finance
- Airline Pilot
- Software Engineer
- Teacher