Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 112 - 120 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): F3F5 (full-time); 350I (sandwich)
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Three years full-time or four years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Clifton Campus
Introduction:
Studying the universe is a pretty tall order but we’ll support you every step of the way. Not only will you study underpinning core physics but you’ll get to apply it to fascinating astronomy concepts including extragalactic astronomy, stellar evolution, cosmology and space science.
Optical telescopes in our on-campus observatory, radio telescopes and solarscopes are all available for you to use alongside the theory. Together with teaching from our expert staff and small lab groups you’ll be developing technical and problem solving skills that are vital for employers.
Why choose this course?
- You’ll learn in inspiring environments. We have a custom-built, on-campus observatory recognised by the International Astronomical Union, a radio telescope, a CT scanner, new microscopes, MRI scanners, a scanning tunneling microscope and an ionising radiation laboratory. This ensures that you get the practical experience you need to pursue a successful career.
- You’ll study innovative accredited courses. Our pioneering courses and research are carried out in close collaboration with university and industry partners worldwide, giving our students skills and knowledge which are highly relevant to the needs of industry. Our undergraduate MSci and BSc physics courses are accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) which will help you to achieve Chartered Physicist status sooner.
- You’ll help to deliver research with impact. Our physics staff contribute to research activity in a number of areas including Superhydrophobic Surfaces, Medical Resonance Imaging, Art Conservation and Space Weather. Every year approximately ten of our students undertake paid summer placements in these research groups, giving them hands-on experience of cutting edge research groups. NTU has recently been awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for research – the highest national award achievable.
- You’ll have the opportunity to get experience. Our courses offer the opportunity to apply for a placement in the UK or abroad, giving you the real-life experience employers are looking for. Recent year-long placements have taken place at CERN, E.ON, The Netherlands Forensic Institute and Diamond Light Source. There are paid summer placements in our research groups, where you get hands-on research experience. Our students have also undertaken paid summer placements in local secondary schools and at British Antarctic Survey.
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Top 20 in the UK for teaching quality in Physics. (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
What you’ll study
About the Physics Team
Our expert staff are constantly updating the way in which they teach Physics. Most of our staff conduct cutting-edge research and bring these inspirational results into their teaching. This ensures that what you learn is exciting, relevant and up-to-date.
Ed Breeds is a talented and cheerful lecturer, communicating topics in undergraduate physics in an entertaining and accessible manner. He spends most of his weekends telling the public all about physics at science festivals and events too!
Professor Haida Liang is an internationally recognised expert in advanced optical imaging and sensing for archaeology, art history and conservation, a field in which she applies her background training in astrophysics.
Dr Michael Newton is a Chartered Engineer and has more than 30 years of experience in the development of experimental equipment and instrumentation.
Dr David Fairhurst is an accomplished researcher in the behaviour of liquid droplets. He received the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching in recognition of his inspirational teaching.
Dr Dan Brown, who teaches astronomy modules, is regularly interviewed on radio and TV for his astronomy work with schools and other outreach events.
Dr Nicolas Sawyer has a very student friendly approach to being Year One Tutor, along with expertise in optics and imaging.
Dr Martin Bencsik, who teaches and researches MRI, studied for his PhD with the Nobel-prize-winning Physicist Sir Peter Mansfield, co-inventor of MRI.
Visit our academic team pages to find out more about our approach to teaching, our partners and research interests.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.
- Mathematical Techniques
Learn how to use some of the mathematical tools necessary to understand Physics. Build on any previous knowledge of algebra, calculus and trigonometry, before studying the concepts of matrix and vector algebra and vector calculus.
- Classical and Quantum Mechanics
You’ll develop an understanding of how force, motion, and energy are related, from classical to quantum mechanics. The module reinforces your ability to use mathematical techniques to model physical situations. Your understanding is developed through laboratory experiments and note taking.
- Introduction to Programming for Physics
This module gives you an introduction to programming for physics and the knowledge and skills to implement software solutions with a focus on a sustainable future. You’ll be using programming software such as Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB and C.
- Properties of Matter
Introducing the basic structure and model of both stable and unstable nucleus, this module explores radioactive decay and modern applications of ionising radiation. You’ll explore beyond elementary nuclear physics to atomic bonding and some fundamental bulk properties of matter. This module includes project work and there’s an opportunity to further specialise your studies in astrophysics further by choosing to focus your project work in this area.
- Concepts of Astronomy
Discover the key concepts in astronomy and astrophysics by studying a range of topics around the principles and applications of geometrical and physical optics. You’ll study the composition of the Galaxy alongside concepts such as principles for propagation of light and refraction and reflection. This module includes project work and there’s an opportunity to further specialise your studies in astrophysics further by choosing to focus your project work in this area.
- Instrumentation and Physics Skills
Learn the skills needed to become a professional physicist in the module. You’ll develop good laboratory practices such as lab notebook keeping, organisation and safety alongside learning how to interpret and report your findings.
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
Introducing the principles and applications of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, this module includes exploring heat transfer processes, thermal properties of materials, and the behaviour of gases, liquids and solids.
- Fundamental Forces
Explore the fundamental forces of nature: gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong and weak nuclear forces. You’ll develop your understanding and appreciation of the principles and applications of fundamental forces and of the relationships between them. Study concepts such as Kepler's Laws, Newtonian gravitation and Einstein’s special theory of relativity.
- The Quantum World
In this module you will study modern quantum mechanics. Through the application of the 1-D and 3-D Schrödinger equation you’ll learn how to model problems and scenarios.
- Modern Optics and Image Processing
Discover the principles and applications of geometrical and physical optics and digital data / image processing. Studying topics such as lasers, lenses and electromagnetic waves, you’ll get an overview of the application of digital processing to scientific images.
- Project Management and Enterprise
Learn how to achieve your project objectives within agreed financial, temporal and creative parameters. By working on a project you’ll establish creative and commercially viable outputs and solutions to contemporary problems alongside developing strong project management and team working skills - all valuable skills when you graduate.
- Stars and Galaxies
You’ll study the physics related to astronomical objects such as stellar evolution and structure. Other topics covered in this module include kinetic temperature, thermal and non-thermal emission, dust and cosmic rays are explored.
Optional year-long work placement. If you are not taking a placement you will progress directly to your final year in year three.
Core modules:
- Applied Fluid Dynamics
Study both the theoretical topics and applying your learning to industry and research. You’ll be covering topics such as momentum transport, Newtonian and non-Newtonian flow and Bernoilli’s equation.
- Satellite Instrumentation and Observation
Study the instrumentation onboard satellites, such as telescopes and spectrometers. You’ll explore the benefits and limitations of orbiting instrumentation alongside looking at a range of modern international space missions. Topics include solar system monitoring, Earth observations and satellite orbits, altitude and pointing.
- Cosmology and General Relativity
Discover the theories surrounding cosmology and general relativity and the mathematical tools needed to understand them. Topics study include: Geometry of the universe and Friedmann models, standard big bang cosmology, special relativity and Geodesics and the Schwarzschild metric.
- Project and Professional Skills
This module will give you training in the skills and techniques you need to undertake physics research and project work. With a particular focus upon transferable skills and employability, you’ll cover a wide range of topics including literature search and analysis, Ethical issues, risk assessments, scientific writing and progress reporting.
You will complete a project which has a focus on astrophysics.
Optional modules – choose one from:
- Practical Electronics
This module introduces analogue and digital electronics, including PCB design and fabrication and using common sector-standard equipment in a laboratory environment. You’ll study topics such as logic, control systems, microcontrollers and transistors.
- Physics for Sustainable Development
Learn about alternative sources of energy and the physics of climate change in this module. You’ll study topics such as solar radiation, space weather, global warming and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Or
- Solid State Physics
Discover the macroscopic properties of matter, focusing on solid state and semiconductor physics. You’ll begin with a review of statistical mechanics to progresses and look at topics such as diffraction patterns, magnetism and waves.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Hands-on physics
How you’re taught
You will have around 18 hours per week of scheduled contact time with academic staff. This typically includes laboratory work, lectures and student centred activities. During the rest of your week you will be engaged in self-guided learning, and group or individual project work.
Most of our staff conduct cutting edge research and bring these inspirational results into their teaching. This ensures all our courses are exciting, relevant and up-to-date.
Contact hours
Year 1 - lectures/seminars/workshops (28%) and independent study (72%)
Year 2 - lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
Year 3 - lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
How you’re assessed
Year 1 - coursework (27%), written (50%) and practical (33%)
Year 2 - coursework (32%), written (36%) and practical (32%)
Year 3 - coursework (43%), written (44%) and practical (13%)
A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study
Careers and employability
Your career development
This course prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities both inside and outside physics. It’ll help you to develop numerical, analytical and computational skills which are greatly respected by employers. You’ll also gain essential, transferable skills including report communication, team working and problem solving.
Our recent graduates have secured roles at companies including:
- Rolls Royce
- Prevailing Ltd
- Pentaxia Ltd
- NHS Supply Chain
- Jaguar Land Rover
They have gone into a wide variety of job roles including:
- Aerothermal Engineer
- Wind Analyst
- Graduate Engineer
- Physicist
- Secondary School Physics Science Technician
Many graduates also choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees in areas including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Quantum Computing and Detector Research.
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you the chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent students have taken placements across a wide range of companies including Science and Technology Facilities Council, CERN, and National Grid. They secured varied roles such as Ultrafast Laser Scientists, Applied Scientist and Safety Support Intern.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you successfully complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
We also offer shorter (usually eight week) paid placements in our research groups and in local secondary schools.
Find out more about work placements.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Physics teaching and research takes place in well-equipped lecture theatres and laboratories, supported by modern scientific, electronic and computing equipment including:
- a custom-built teaching observatory recognised by the International Astronomical Union with a 20-inch and a 14-inch telescope and a 2.3m radio telescope
- MRI facilities, including a 2.35 Tesla Bruker Biospec scanner, a Halbach MRI and a unilateral MRI scanner
- a microscopy and imaging suite including electron microscopes, confocal and polarising microscopes, an atomic force microscope and a scanning tunnelling microscope
- a state-of-the-art micro-fabrication laboratory for creating micro-mechanical and microfluidic devices
- an excellent Ionising Radiation teaching laboratory and three X-ray CT scanners.
In the last year, we have spent £250,000 on new equipment for our teaching laboratories including telescopes, CCD cameras, ultrasound scanners, magnetic resonance spectrometers, high speed cameras, thermal imaging equipment and a high resolution 3D printer. Our facilities and expertise ensure that our students get the practical experience that employers and researchers need.
Get involved
Our student-run Astronomy and Physics Society organises social events and trips – all themed around hot Physics topics. Recently students have been searching for the Northern Lights in Iceland; visited the large hadron collider in CERN; and calculated the complex forces involved in roller coaster rides at Alton Towers.
Entry requirements
- Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Maths and Physics grade C
- Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Maths and Physics grade C
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications including A-level equivalent Maths and Physics grade C
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on telephone +44 (0)115 848 2494.
What do the course fees cover?
All mandatory costs for the course are covered in the course fee. In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
Students may choose to apply for a placement option during their course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £50.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. See our fees.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
What do the course fees cover?
All mandatory costs for the course are covered in the course fee. In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential textbooks are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.
Students may choose to apply for a placement option during their course. If successful, students will be expected to pay for accommodation, travel and living costs whilst on placement.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £50.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.