Astrophysics with Year Abroad (MPhys)

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

You don’t need to choose your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

On this degree in astrophysics you’ll gain a robust understanding of core physics concepts and practical lab skills, while developing your knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics to an advanced level.

After transferring at the end of year 2, the third year is carefully coordinated to cover all the core physics and astronomy modules. This means you can spend year 4 focused on your research project at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).

Right from the start you’ll apply and develop your analytical and problem-solving skills on mini-projects in the lab. You’ll also use our on-site observatory and telescopes to collect and analyse astronomical data.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

Course time

How you'll spend your course time:

Course leader

Diego Altamirano is the course leader.

This degree is the perfect preparation for a PhD and onward to a astrophysics career as a professional astronomer. However, it is also an eye-catching addition to your CV if you wish go directly into a different career.

Potential roles include:

• astrophysicist
• professional astronomer
• data analyst
• government science policy officer
• medical physicist
• satellite engineer
• systems analyst
• weather forecaster

If you decide on a career outside physics, you’ll be able to demonstrate transferable skills such as computation and coding, statistical analysis, communication and project management skills.

We work hard to help you get the career of your choice and make the process easier and more enjoyable. 

During year 2 you’ll have access to a programme of physics-focused career sessions, timetabled to fit in with your studies. These include application and interview workshops and talks from visiting professionals.

We can help you find a paid summer placement to give you valuable hands-on experience and the chance to make industry contacts.

If you’d like to gain extra astronomy research experience, you could do your placement in our labs, working alongside graduate students on an Astronomy Research Group project.

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations 

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: F3FM
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

If you’re successful, we’ll invite you to an optional applicant visit day. This will give the opportunity to learn more about the department and take an interview, which may lead to a lower offer. If you attend a visit day before Christmas, you can take the physics academic scholarship exam. 

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000