Lancaster University
Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons)
Lancaster University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 80 graduates of Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) and other courses in Physics at Lancaster University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Physics.

Overall student satisfaction
95 /100
80 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Physics

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Physics 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 £29000 £25000 £29500
25-75 percentile range £25000 - £32500 £19500 - £30000 £23000 - £36000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Physics

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £28994 £29015 £34497
25-75 percentile range £24988 - £33170 £22931 - £36583 £26874 - £45969

Course Description

Develop your understanding of the relationship between the physical laws of the universe and the astrophysical and cosmological domains. We conduct world-leading investigations in space and planetary science, observational astrophysics, and observational and theoretical cosmology - and this directly informs what you learn!

In Year 1 you will study core modules that provide you with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of physics and you will also perform laboratory experiments with our state-of-the-art equipment and associated software.

In Year 2 your core modules start to delve deeper into astrophysics with fascinating lectures in cosmology, astronomy and solar system science.

In Year 3, you study two optional modules and three core modules.

How do I choose my optional modules in Year 3 and 4? There are two ways you can do this:

Option 1

Keep your horizons open and explore your interests by selecting any optional modules from across our broad spectrum of topics, subject to prerequisites.

Option 2

We have grouped together a selection of modules to create ‘pathways’ that help guide your choices so that you can focus on your specific area of interest. These pathways are:

  • Cosmology
  • Space Physics

We’ll ask you to indicate your preference for one of our pathways from Option 2 near the end of Year 1. The modules recommended for each pathway can be found in our subject brochure. In Year 3 you will also complete a research project. If you’ve selected the Cosmology Pathway, you will take the Cosmology or Astrophysics Group Project module, otherwise you will take the Astrophysics Group Project module.

What if I want to change my choices?

That’s fine! We can guide you to optional modules that suit your interests. Also, did you know that you can switch to one of our other degrees at the end of Year 1 if you feel that would suit you better? This is because all of our Physics degrees offer a common set of core modules in Year 1.

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 Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) at Lancaster University

20% Business and public service associate professionals
20% Finance Professionals
10% Process, plant and machine operatives
10% Information Technology Professionals
5% Elementary occupations
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Finance Professionals
5% Process, plant and machine operatives

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Physics

Qualification requirements

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

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

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Physics with Astrophysics, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

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)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of Lancaster University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Lancaster University in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #4 
    • #4 
    Physics
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #201 
    Physics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #235 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

See all 34 university rankings of Lancaster University

About Lancaster University

Lancaster University was established in 1964 and is located in the rural setting of Lancaster. The campus provides a series of amenities, including banks and a post office. Academically, all of this university’s courses and programmes are accredited and approved by MARP, ensuring that the curriculums delivered here are set at a high standard. In terms of facilities, students have access to a variety of study and recreational spaces intended to improve their wellbeing, such as Meditation and Tai Chi classes, and Woodland walks.

List of 452 Bachelor and Master Courses from Lancaster University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Lancaster University

undergraduates:
12595
postgraduates:
4065
Total:
16660
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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