Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year

Course information

On this four-year course, as a future astrophysicist, you’ll apply physics to astronomical phenomena, explore the Universe and how it works, and gain insight into real-world physics in the workplace.

We’re home to one of the largest astronomy groups in the UK and are proud to have led many new discoveries - from the detection of gravitational waves to the first images of black holes. This same team of academics will shape your learning, giving you an insight into the theoretical physics and mathematical concepts describing space, time, energy and matter, and how to apply these to the cosmos.

Gain core physics and mathematics skills combined with an understanding of observational astronomy and deep dive into the theory of astrophysics.

You’ll gain hands-on, paid experience of working in industry in your fourth year. A professional placement can be a life-changing experience, honing your skills and giving you an insight into real-world, applied science. Many of our students go on to work for the same organisation after graduating. Recent placements have included Vishay, EDF, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Merck, KLA, the European Space Agency and Rolls-Royce.

As well as the confidence to design and conduct your own lab experiments, you'll develop your programming skills. In your final year, you'll align with one of our research groups and carry out an Astrophysics project using real-world research data in a subject you're interested in.

An ideal launchpad to become an astrophysicist and achieve your potential as a researcher, this course will also equip you for a career in a wide range of sectors – from data analysis and technology to finance and education.

Join us and you'll not only develop the highly sought-after problem-solving skills valued by a wide range of employers but become part of a welcoming, inclusive physics and astronomy community with a dynamic student society.

Distinctive features

Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP)
Our course meets the high-quality standards in education set out by the IOP.

Top 10
Ranked 8th in the UK for physics (The Guardian University Guide 2025).

95% employment
95% of our graduates are employed, in further study, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2021/22).

Student satisfaction
1st for physics in the Russell Group for teaching on my course, learning opportunities, academic support, and assessment and feedback (National Student Survey (NSS) 2024).

Research-led teaching
We're home to one of the largest UK communities of astronomers and condensed matter physicists.

Research focus
Your final year will focus on research and include a major project with one of our leading research groups.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

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