Astronomy (with a Year Abroad)

Description

Our distinctive MPhys Physics with Astronomy (with year abroad) is available to our first-class MPhys students who will be given the opportunity to spend their final year immersed in research at the world-renowned Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Boston, USA.

The MPhys Physics with Astronomy (with year abroad) will build upon the MPhys Particle Physics programme and give you a greater breadth and depth of study of astronomy. This flagship programme is intended for students who wish to go on to study for a PhD. We aim to give you the skills and experience that will put you ahead of your peers.

Our MPhys students have the option to move into these programmes once they have arrived in Southampton and established themselves as first-class students – typically you will move into the programme in your second year. Your courses will then be carefully coordinated to fast track you in three years to the frontier of knowledge in physics and astronomy.

In your final year, you will relocate to the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. The Center combines the resources and research facilities of the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to pursue studies of the basic physical processes that determine the nature and evolution of the universe. Broad programmes of astrophysical research touch on almost all major topics in astronomy including:

• star and planet formation
• cosmology
• extreme astronomical objects

Students undertake four years of study. Each year there are compulsory modules. However, the degree has been designed to maximise student choice by allowing you to tailor the degree structure to suit your own interests.

Key facts:

• Southampton is consistently ranked amongst the top Physics and Astronomy departments in the UK
• Over half of our work is considered to be either world leading or internationally excellent
• Our courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics
• We were ranked in the top two universities in the Russell Group of elite Universities for course satisfaction in Physical Science in the 2010 National Student Survey

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 16320 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS1005 Introduction to Astronomy and Space Science
• PHYS1015 Motion and Relativity
• PHYS1017 Physics Skills 1
• PHYS1022 Electricity and Magnetism

Compulsory Modules

• MATH1006 Introduction to Mathematical Methods

Semester 2

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS1008 Physics of The Solar System
• PHYS1011 Waves, Light and Quanta
• PHYS1013 Energy and Matter
• PHYS1019 Physics Skills 2

Compulsory Modules

• MATH1007 Mathematical Methods For Physical Scientists

Year 2

Semester 1

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS2003 Quantum Physics
• PHYS2013 Galaxies
• PHYS2022 Physics from Evidence I
• PHYS2023 Wave Physics

Semester 2

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS2001 Electromagnetism
• PHYS2006 Classical Mechanics
• PHYS2024 Quantum Physics of Matter

Compulsory Modules

• PHYS2011 Design and Observation in Astronomy

Year 3

Semester 1

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS3004 Crystalline Solids
• PHYS3008 Atomic Physics
• PHYS3011 Photons in Astrophysics
• PHYS6005 Cosmology and the Early Universe

Semester 2

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS3002 Nuclei and Particles
• PHYS3007 Theories of Matter, Space and Time
• PHYS3010 Stellar Evolution
• PHYS6017 Computer Techniques in Physics

Year 4

Full Academic Year

Compulsory Core Modules

• PHYS6013 Research Thesis - Astrophysics

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

GCSEs:

GCSE Mathematics and English at grade C or above

A Levels:

AAA, including AA in Mathematics and Physics

English Language Requirements:

If English is not your first language, you will be required to pass an approved English test. We normally ask for a score of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 580.

Alternative Qualifications:

We welcome applications from candidates offering qualifications other than A and AS levels (including BTEC, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificate and Scottish Highers). You will be expected to attain an equivalent standard to an A level applicant.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Southampton.

Accreditation

Our MPhys Physics programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics.