Course modalities offered

Queen Mary University of London
Astronomy and Astrophysics PgCert
Queen Mary University of London

Key Course Facts

Course Description

The Postgraduate Certificate in Astronomy and Astrophysics programme at Queen Mary, University of London, provides a unique opportunity for graduates to pursue the subject in depth, either for personal interest or as a first step towards a professional career in astronomy for those with degrees with sufficient mathematical or physics content. The certificate programme has been running since 1985 and around 50 certificates have been awarded. Some students have gone on to complete the MSc, and even to do PhDs. The programme provides a broad coverage of relevant research topics, including modules on research methods, exoplanets, stellar structure, galaxies and cosmology. The programme at Queen Mary is unique in the UK in the scope of material covered. It gives students a detailed overview of the fundamentals of the subject as well as an up-to-date account of recent developments in research. The wide range of topics covered by the course reflects the breadth of research interests pursued by the members of staff in our large and friendly research group. Lectures cover such diverse topics as the origin of the universe, dark matter, the life and death of stars, black holes, extrasolar planets and space and solar plasma physics. Students who do sufficiently well on the Postgraduate Certificate (which essentially consists of the first year of the MSc Astrophysics) may be allowed to change their registration to MSc Astrophysics part-time and go into the second year of the MSc.

Of the eight taught modules available each year seven are assessed by examination only and one by coursework only. Certificate students take four of these 8 modules.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

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Students wishing to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Astronomy and Astrophysics should normally have a degree in a subject with a substantial Mathematics and/or Physics content. International applicants Students from outside of the UK help form a global community here at Queen Mary. For detailed country specific entry requirements please visit the International section of our website. If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English language proficiency. You can find details on our English language entry requirements here: www.qmul.ac.uk/international/languagerequirements If you do not meet language or scholarly requirements it might be possible for you to undertake foundation or pre-sessional programmes that will prepare you for the masters programme. If you are unable to find the information you require, please contact the Admissions Office for assistance.

Costs

Average student cost of living in London

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.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of Queen Mary University of London in top UK and global rankings.

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See all university rankings of Queen Mary University of London

What students say about studying Astrophysics in the UK?

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  • Week in the Life of an Astrophysics Major | Jaycie Bishop
  • Day in the Life of an Astrophysics University Student (During Exams)
  • A Day in the life of Astrophysicists
  • what it's really like as an astrophysics major

About Queen Mary University of London

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) was founded in 1989 in the Mile End district of London. This Russell Group University offers state-of-the-art facilities, including their Advanced Molecular Imaging Services, and the Genome Centre for DNA research at Barts and the London School of Medicine, among numerous others for a wide variety of subject matters. QMUL is without a doubt an excellent option for any student wishing to pursue a career path in scientific research, and is recognised worldwide as such.

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Where is this programme taught

Mile End
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