University of Surrey
Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)
University of Surrey

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Overall student satisfaction
68 /100
40 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 £31000 £27500 £31500
25-75 percentile range £26500 - £32000 £20500 - £33000 £24000 - £38500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Physics

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £28798 £28909 £34253
25-75 percentile range £24694 - £33005 £22390 - £36739 £26224 - £45922

Course Description

Why choose this course

Our BSc and MPhys Physics with Astronomy courses teach you about our place in the cosmos. You’ll learn about cutting-edge theories of the origin of the Universe and life itself, and have the opportunity to carry out original research with leading scientists in the field.

We’re home to fantastic astronomy facilities. These include our teaching and outreach telescopes that you’ll use to get hands-on observation experience, as well as high-performance computing and GPU clusters.

Two unique aspects of both courses are:

-Our award-winning Professional Training placements: --Within the BSc, the option to take a paid Professional Training placement in industry gives you invaluable hands-on experience to enhance your employability. --On our MPhys, you’ll take a year-long, masters-level integrated research placement. This can be in one of our world-leading research groups or at one of our international partner institutions. -Our focus on undergraduate research and innovation: --All undergraduates have the opportunity to apply for paid 8-10 week summer research placements in our research groups and those of our South East Physics Network partners. --We offer in-house grants that students can apply for to fund a research placement, attend a conference or develop a new business idea.

What you will study

Our Physics with Astronomy courses teach you the core elements of traditional physics – from classical mechanics and electromagnetism to quantum mechanics.

You’ll then specialise in astronomy, studying the formation and evolution of stars, planets, galaxies and the Universe as a whole. You’ll learn about the search for life beyond Earth, gravitational waves, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.

You’ll also be able to carry out a research project in one of our world-leading research groups.

Formal lectures are complemented with work in our specialist radiation laboratories, which have recently been refurbished and enlarged at a cost of a £2.7m. As an undergraduate student you’ll use these labs to undertake experiments related to the Nuclear and Particle Physics module.

You can apply to study for either a BSc or an MPhys. The latter is a direct route to a masters qualification. If you study for an MPhys, you’ll spend a year doing integrated research before returning for your final masters-level modules.

You may have the option to switch to a BSc or MPhys during your studies.

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 Astronomy BSc (Hons) at University of Surrey

35% Natural and social science professionals
20% Engineering professionals
10% Skilled trades occupations
5% Information Technology Professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Finance Professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Grading Distribution

Students of the course received the following grades

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

6.0 overall with 5.5 in each element

We are proud to be one of the most culturally diverse universities in the UK, with more than 140 nationalities playing a role in university life. Our International Recruitment team are here to help you throughout the application process – from advising on choosing the right course to applying for a visa and preparing for your first few weeks at Surrey. You can contact them via [email protected] Applicants who require a Student Visa to study in the UK: To apply for a Student Visa, you must have a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) for the University you wish to study at. This is a unique number which will enable you to apply for your visa. The University is under no legal obligation to sponsor any individual and exercises caution with respect to issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) to avoid risking its status as a Student sponsor. Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) will be issued in accordance with the Student Route and CAS Issuing Policy, available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/apply/policies

The University of Surrey offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support our students, please visit https://www.surrey.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries for more details.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Physics with Astronomy, 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)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Surrey in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Surrey in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #12 
    • #16 
    Physics
    The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
    [Published 09 September, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #401 
    Physics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #23 
    • #451 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

See all 30 university rankings of University of Surrey

About University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is a government funded research university located in Guildford, England. The university’s stated goals are to become a leading global university performing important research and innovation, creating great researchers and achieving outcomes which make important contributions to society.

List of 341 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Surrey - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Surrey

undergraduates:
10985
postgraduates:
3275
Total:
14260
  • Student life at the University of Surrey
  • Discover our campus | University of Surrey
  • Why Choose the University of Surrey
  • University of Surrey | The Study Abroad Experience
  • Placement Student Testimonials 2018/19 | University of Surrey
  • Moments Matter | University of Surrey

Where is this programme taught

Stag Hill
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