Aberystwyth University
Astrophysics BSc (Hons)
Aberystwyth University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 30 graduates of Astrophysics BSc (Hons) and other courses in Astronomy at Aberystwyth University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Astronomy.

Overall student satisfaction
72 /100
30 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Astronomy

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Astronomy at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24000 £22500 £24000
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £26000 £15000 - £25000 £14500 - £31000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Astronomy

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £27000 £28084 £32418
25-75 percentile range £22000 - £31500 £18188 - £37948 £21337 - £45571

Course Description

Astrophysics, at Aberystwyth University, incorporates the broad disciplines of astronomy that include cosmology and galactic astronomy, the solar system, gas giants and terrestrial worlds, red giants, white dwarfs, neutron stars, and quasars amongst others, allowing you to cover a broad area of learning and enabling you to specialise later in your career. With foundations in the key areas of physics and astronomy you will develop the essential core and transferable skills required by employers in this discipline that includes education, business, and industry. On completion of this degree, you will leave with accreditation by the Institute of Physics (IOP). Physics has been taught at Aberystwyth since its foundation and it continues to be an innovative learning experience for all. Our researchers are involved in the current European Space Agency ExoMars 2020 Project.

Throughout this degree, you will be introduced to classic and modern physics, the basic principles of gravitational and electrostatic fields, stars, planets, algebra and calculus, quantum mechanics, optics, space plasmas, electromagnetism, data handling, statistics, cosmology, galaxies and the heliosphere.

Career planning and skills development will also form a key element in some modules. Students wishing to study through the medium of Welsh may do so with our Welsh-medium modules. Further details regarding Welsh-medium study are available from the department. Our students learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, practicals, individual and group-based project work. We assess our students through coursework, presentations, lab reports, lab diaries and examinations. You will be assigned a personal tutor, who can help with any difficulties you might have with the degree or with university life.

Employability is embedded across all our teaching and ethics. We instil these skills in our students: research and data analysis, problem-solving, creative thinking, independent working, time management, organisation, self-motivation, communication and team working. The ability to discuss concepts with peers, accommodate different viewpoints, meet deadlines and communicate ideas in a clear, concise manner in both written and oral form are highly desirable skills in industry. You are encouraged to contact the University’s Careers Service in relation to work experience opportunities. Year in Employment Scheme (YES) and GO Wales are administered by the Career Service which works with local businesses to create paid work placements for students. This helps you gain valuable work experience and enhance your CV.

The skills you will learn are highly pertinent to employers. Typical careers include medical physicist, radiation protection practitioner, research scientist, systems developer, product development, technical publishing and meteorology. In addition, you will acquire transferable skills, such as problem-solving abilities, needed for success in a wider range of careers.

Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Astrophysics BSc (Hons) at Aberystwyth University

25% Administrative occupations
20% Managers, directors and senior officials
10% Business and public service associate professionals
10% Sales occupations
10% Teaching Professionals
10% Customer service occupations
10% Business and Financial Project Management Professionals
5% Protective service occupations
5% Finance Professionals
5% Administrative occupations

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

To include B in Physics and B in Mathematics at A level.

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Astronomy

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Applicants are selected on their individual merits and offers can vary. We allow you flexibility in meeting our entry requirements, and all qualifications that you have already gained, or are working towards, will be considered when reviewing your application. We have an inclusive policy which recognises a broad range of qualifications. The entry requirements listed above represent typical offers for some of the most popular qualifications taken by applicants. If you cannot find the qualifications that you are studying (or have previously studied) please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office (Telephone: +44 (0)1970 622021; Email: [email protected]) for advice on your eligibility and details of the typical offer you are likely to receive.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
Cambridge English Advanced
Cambridge English Proficiency
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

With minimum 5.5 in each component.

PTE Academic 55

With minimum score of 51 in any component.

TOEFL (iBT) 88

With minimum scores in components as follows: Listening 21; Writing 21; Reading 22; Speaking 23.

Aberystwyth University offers a valuable package of scholarships and bursaries to support students. Our long-established Entrance Examination competition means you could get up to £2,000 a year towards your living and study costs. You can combine that with any or all of our other awards, to make your financial package more valuable. Our awards include Sport and Music Scholarships, Bursaries for Care Leavers/Young Carers and a range of department specific awards. Please visit our website for full details.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Astrophysics, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Astrophysics BSc (Hons)

England UK £9000 year 1
Northern Ireland £9000 year 1
Scotland £9000 year 1
Wales £9000 year 1
Channel Islands £9000 year 1
Ireland £9000 year 1
EU £18830 year 1
International £18830 year 1

Additional fee information

The UK and Welsh Governments have confirmed that EU students commencing their studies in the academic year 2021/22 will no longer be eligible for home fee status. Fees for EU students will therefore be charged in line with international fees from 2021/22 onwards.

Please note Irish nationals will continue to be eligible for home fee status and support by the Welsh Government under the Common Travel Area arrangement

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Aberystwyth University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Aberystwyth University in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #3 
    • #45 
    Physics
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]

See all 25 university rankings of Aberystwyth University

About Aberystwyth University

Aberystwyth University (Aber) was founded in 1872 in Aberystwyth, Wales. This university has earned itself an impressive array of awards in various domains, including in teaching standards and post-graduate employability. Whether you enjoy walking by the beach or visiting the historic town centre, Aberystwyth is a superb option for those students looking for a quiet place to focus on their academic goals.

List of 383 Bachelor and Master Courses from Aberystwyth University - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Main Site (Aberystwyth)
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) University of Hull 94% 10% 5% £9250 £9250 £18300 £19500 116 Hull On campus Full-time
Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) University of Bristol - - - £9250 £29300 - Bristol On campus Full-time
Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) University of Dundee 66% 0% 15% £9250 £20900 162 Dundee On campus Full-time
Astrophysics BSc (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London 80% 5% 20% £9250 £26500 166 Egham On campus Full-time
Astrophysics BSc (Hons) Cardiff University 83% 0% 0% £9000 £25450 £28200 166 Cardiff On campus Full-time
Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) Queen's University of Belfast 72% 0% 3% £9250 £25300 159 Belfast On campus Full-time
Astrophysics BSc (Hons) Aberystwyth University 72% 0% 0% £9000 £18830 107 Aberystwyth On campus Full-time
Astrophysics BSc (Hons) University College London 77% 10% 0% £9250 £35000 192 London On campus Full-time
Physics with Astrophysics (with a year abroad) BSc (Hons) The University of York - 5% 9% £9250 £28800 170 York On campus Full-time
Physics and Astrophysics BSc (Hons) The University of Sheffield 85% 5% 5% £9250 £29110 167 Sheffield On campus Full-time