Physics with Astronomy
University of Southampton
Physics with Astronomy
Course Summary
Enter the realm of extreme physics and learn the science behind powerful phenomena such as white dwarfs, black holes and neutron stars, the evolution of the universe, the formation of galaxies and space weather. You’ll gain the skills and knowledge of a professional astronomer, taught by academics who are directly involved in astronomy research. Whether you choose to do a PhD and become an astronomer, or use your advanced computing and data analysis skills in another profession, the knowledge you gain will underpin your lifelong passion for astronomy.
A special feature of this programme is the study visit to Tenerife, where our top 12 students have the opportunity to visit the Izana Observatory for a period of astronomical observation. This degree is also the gateway to our MPhys Astrophysics with a Year Abroad flagship programme, which offers a unique opportunity to spend your fourth year at the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Boston, USA. Our top-performing students can transfer onto this programme at the end of second year.
Your degree will open the door to a wide range of careers, with recent graduates employed in roles ranging from physicists and engineers, to actuaries and statisticians, scientific journalists and medical researchers. Many students go onto further study. Physics at Southampton is ranked 3rd in the UK for graduate career prospects in the Guardian University Guide 2022.
You’ll have access to exceptional research-grade facilities, including an observatory on the rooftop of the physics building.
This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Course Details - Modules
You will cover core physics modules, as well as astronomy topics such as solar flares, white dwarfs, black holes and quasars. You will also work on cutting-edge research projects, which often involve working with the latest results from international observatories. The degree has been designed to maximise student choice by allowing you to tailor the degree structure to suit your own interests. You can study modules within Physics and Astronomy, or from across the wider University, such as law, management or languages. Learn more about the range of optional modules available: http://www.phys.soton.ac.uk/programmes/f3fm-mphys-astronomy-4-yrs#modules
Throughout your degree, you’ll also develop key transferable skills such as problem solving, data analysis and computing, which are sought after by a range employers. During year two, you’ll also have access to a programme of physics-focused career sessions, timetabled to fit in with your studies, which include application and interview workshops as well as talks from visiting professionals.
Course Details – Assessment Method
For MPhys programmes, assessment in the first and second year is a mixture of unseen written examinations, marked problem-based coursework and laboratory work. In the third year assessment is mainly by examination, although laboratory-based, computer-based and dissertation modules will use different assessment methods, as appropriate. In the fourth year of the MPhys programmes, laboratory work is replaced by a project which involves continuous assessment, written reports and an oral examination.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Physics, Institute of
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code: F3FM
Institution code: S27
Campus Name: Main Site - Highfield Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Typical Offer: AAA-AAB including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
or
AABC including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:
AAB including mathematics/further mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical, plus grade A in the EPQ
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:
AAB including mathematics/further mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4"
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma
We do not accept the BTEC Diploma
Applicants with a BTEC Extended Diploma or the BTEC Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A-level offer:
AAB including mathematics/further mathematics (minimum grade A) and physics (minimum grade A), with a pass in the physics Practical and grade A in the EPQ
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
Pass, with 36-34 points overall, with 18-17 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and 6 at Higher Level in physics
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including H1 in mathematics and physics - H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 including mathematics and physics (one of which must be at H1)
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA in A-level mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. The University’s qualifications equivalencies table will be used: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/index.page#_ga=2.143280181.1285720294.1533033883-1673588377.1531313130
We do not accept the BTEC National Extended Diploma
We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma
Applicants with a BTEC National Extended Diploma or the BTEC National Diploma should apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics/Geophysics Foundation Year
AAA-AAB including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
or
AA from two A-levels including mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical and A-B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
or
AABC including grades AA in mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical
or
AA from two A-levels including mathematics/further mathematics and physics, with a pass in the physics Practical, and grades BC from a third A-level and the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer
D3,D3,D3 - D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects including mathematics/further mathematics (minimum grade D3) and physics (minimum grade D3)
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of A Level grade B.
Applicants may be invited to visit the department and have an optional interview; an optional interview may lead to a lower offer.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.phys.soton.ac.uk/programmes/f3fm-mphys-astronomy-4-yrs
Minimum Qualification Requirements
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | AdditionalDetails |
|---|
All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Band B IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in all components
Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Unistats information
Student satisfaction : 72%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs): 60%
Go onto work and study: 85%
Fees and funding
| Republic of Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| EU | 22760.0 | Year 1 |
| International | 22760.0 | Year 1 |
| England | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Wales | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 9250.0 | Year 1 |
Additional Fee Information
Please note that the Fees shown are those charged for entry in September 2021. Fees for entry in September 2022 will be available at the end of August 2021. Please see our website for further details and updates : www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Provider information
Highfield
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Southampton
SO17 1BJ