Physics with Astrophysics (Placement Year)

Would you like to be at the forefront of scientific discovery? Astrophysicists look to the skies to learn more about our universe. You’ll see inside world-leading investigations in astrophysics, cosmology, and space and planetary science; learn about preparations for upcoming satellites and missions as well as using data from current spacecraft and facilities like the Hubble Space Telescope, the Juno spacecraft, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Get hands-on tackling genuine scientific work informed by research-led teaching, setting you up for your future career.

What to expect
Our five-year MPhys Hons Physics with Astrophysics (Placement Year) degree starts with a first year that is common across all our single-honours physics degrees as we teach the fundamentals to provide you with a solid foundation for Years 2 and beyond. You may discover that your interests change throughout the year, and you have the flexibility to switch to any other of our degree schemes until the end of Year 1. Core topics include mechanics, quantum physics, thermodynamics, and electricity and magnetic fields. It’s so much more than lectures and workshops; you’ll spend time gaining hands-on experience with experimental physics in our state-of-the-art labs.

As you progress into Years 2 and beyond, you will delve into key astrophysical concepts, such as the dynamics and content of the universe, stellar structure and evolution, and the physics of planetary systems. These modules will enable you to explore the frontiers of astrophysical research such as the formation and structure of galaxies, space plasma physics and cosmological inflation.

Your placement
In Year 4, you will undertake a placement that will enable you to apply the knowledge and skills learnt so far and gain invaluable experience that will then inform your studies in Year 5 and your career beyond.

Although it’s up to you to find your placement, we will support you all the way. Our Careers Service will provide guidance on CVs, applications, interview techniques and creating a digital profile.

Research and group projects
An important and exciting part of your degree is the opportunity to take part in a group project. You can choose a physics project working alongside one of our expert researchers, or an industrial project working with a business on a real-world problem.

Here are some examples of recent projects:

Astrophysics Group Project

• Solar-planetary interactions

• Galaxy evolution

• Cosmology with supernovae

Personal development
You will develop valuable transferable skills that make you highly desirable to future employers. Through working in collaboration, delivering presentations, communicating your research results, using modern computer programs and taking part in experiments, you will grow skills in analytical thinking, logic, reasoning, communication and digital proficiency. With a year’s experience added to your CV, you will be a standout graduate.

Before graduation, you will have the fantastic opportunity to showcase your transferable skills toolkit at the Physics at Lancaster Annual Conference and Exhibition (PLACE).

Master's-level training
You can advance your degree in Year 5 by studying Master’s modules and conducting a significant, individually supervised research project. This is a great opportunity to build your CV and is a gateway to future research opportunities too.

Examples of recent final year projects include:

Forecasting the space weather

• Plasma flow in Saturn’s magnetosphere

• Observations of supernova host galaxies from Euclid

• The co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes

• Measuring distances in the universe

• Scalar field models for dark energy and the Hubble tension