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Astrophysics applies physics and mathematics to understanding astronomical objects such as planets, stars and galaxies, and to the universe as a whole.
Understanding the origin and evolution of the universe is one of the most exciting and challenging problems in modern science.
In this programme you’ll use practical and theoretical approaches to explore the evolution and properties of astrophysical systems. You’ll apply the methods used by astronomers to determine the composition and distance of other stars and galaxies. And you’ll develop an understanding of the role played by dark matter and dark energy in the large-scale structure of the universe and its accelerating expansion.
Specialist modules focus on cosmology, galaxies, stars and planetary systems and are taught by active researchers involved in high-profile active research projects. Extra option modules provide scope for you to explore topics beyond the core syllabus, providing you with a rounded physics education with a specialist focus.
You’ll develop practical skills in lab work and programming that can be applied in commerce, industry or research.
In your final year, you’ll further develop your own interests through the completion of an independent research project, supervised by one of the School’s astrophysicists.
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
You can complete your Astrophysics degree in three, four or five years. If you are a BSc student and choose to study abroad, your time abroad will be during Year 3 and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4. If you are an MSci student and choose to study abroad, this will take place in Year 4 and Year 4 modules will be studied in Year 5.
Foundation
One Year-long double module allocated based on previous maths qualifications:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Modules offered at Queen Mary
Modules currently offered at other University of London institutions are subject to change at short notice.
Modules offered at King's College London
Modules offered at Royal Holloway
Modules offered at University College London
Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.
Students who do not have the required high school qualifications for admission to this degree, and students who do not meet their UCAS Conditional offer may be considered for the 4 year degree (a foundation year plus the 3 year degree).
International students with Year 12 or a completed international high school certificate qualify for the one year foundation programme commonly known as the ISEFP.
The foundation programme offers a range of transferable skills and an opportunity to improve on your knowledge content in relevant Maths and Science subjects.
You will enrol on BSc Physics with Foundation which will offer progression to a range of degrees in the School of Physics and Astronomy including BSc Astrophysics. At the end of the foundation programme, students will be required to meet the progression requirements for admission to BSc Astrophysics.
Specialise further in the subject by applying for our intercollegiate Astrophysics MSci. You will take advanced optional modules taught by leading experts in their field of research, and undertake a research project.
It is possible to transfer to the four-year MSci programme after starting your BSc degree, if you decide you would like to stay on to gain a Masters degree.
If you choose to undertake a Year Abroad, this will take place in your third of fourth year of study. You'll then return to Queen Mary for your final year or years of study.
We have partner institutions in Australia, Canada, Malayisa, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the USA. For more detail on where you can study on your Year Abroad and things to consider before applying, visit our Study Abroad pages.
If you choose to take intercollegiate 4th year modules at other London institutions, you’ll need to fund your travel expenses to attend classes.
The academics and administrative staff are excellent and always helpful. I am an international student, and the School of Physics and Astronomy has helped me feel at 'home' since day one. The lectures run by PsiStar (the Physics student society) are amazing. I went to almost each of them in past years and it's nice to relax and get to know more about physics research topics and talking to guest speakers in a casual setting. With the help of the careers team, I was able to secure two SEPnet internships during the summer vacations which helped me to learn some crucial coding and data analytical skills.
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorial classes. Your total teaching time will be around 20 hours per week, but you will be expected to spend time on independent study and coursework or lab reports. Overall, you should be spending 30-40 hours on your studies each week.
You will be assessed by various methods depending on the nature of the work being carried out. For example, if the module involves practical work only, the assessment will be based on laboratory reports. For non-practical modules you will be assessed by weekly coursework, termly assignments and an end-of-year examination.
The School offers excellent on-campus resources to aid your studies, including:
View 360 degree videos of some of our Physics spaces here.
UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.
Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.
Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.
Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.
We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.
Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:
Many graduates continue their studies with a PhD or MSc, often as a precursor to a career in research. The flexibility of the programme can prepare you for careers in specialist areas of physics and science more widely, if you have a particular area of interest.
Skills developed through studying physics – such as numeracy, data analysis, coding and problem solving – are also highly transferable into other sectors, including energy, business, marketing, engineering, technology, IT and finance.
Recent graduates of the school of Physics and Astronomy have been hired by:
The School organises specialist industrial placements for physics and astronomy students. Typically around 20 School of Physics and Astronomy students take advantage of the exclusive work placements. These placements are coordinated by a placement coordinator, who also provides support to students in applying.
Participating companies include small-medium enterprises operating in industries such as technology, energy and defence. Larger companies operating in industries such as aerospace, engineering and research also offer internships as part of the scheme.
We run dedicated weekly advice sessions and events such as software bootcamps and careers focus sessions.
The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:
Astrophysics - BSc (Hons)
Physics with Foundation - BSc (Hons)
Astrophysics with Year Abroad - BSc (Hons)
Astrophysics - MSci (Hons)
Astrophysics with Year Abroad - MSci (Hons)
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)
The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences (SPCS) at Queen Mary combines the academic rigour of a Russell Group institution with a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy’s teaching academics work on high-profile international collaborations, including experiments at CERN. Our researchers are searching for new planets around distant stars, developing and applying quantum technologies and theoretical concepts. Our PsiStar Physics and Astronomy Society is extremely active with around 200 members. Our academics use cutting edge experimental and theoretical techniques, alongside modern data science, to push the boundaries of their research areas.
The Department is proud to have played a role in some of the most exciting discoveries of the past 100 years, including the discovery of the W, Z, and Higgs bosons, the discovery of the closest Earth-like exoplanet to us, Proxima B, and the first ‘superstring revolution’.
We have recently recruited new staff in key areas such as particle physics, quantum technology, and space weather. We have state of the art laboratories, computing facilities, and a rooftop observatory, offering high-quality support for Physics and Astronomy teaching and research.
The Department of Chemistry enjoys an outstanding research and teaching quality reputation. We are a vibrant department, carrying out internationally leading research in fields such as Functional Materials and Nano Science, Synthesis, Catalysis, and Physical and Computational Chemistry. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, Chemistry ranked 8th in the United Kingdom for Research Impact and 9th in the UK for Research Output.
We have recently recruited new staff in key areas such as Carbon Nanotechnology, Organic Electronics, and Catalysis. The £5.2m refurbishment and modernisation of our Chemistry Lab facilities have secured the highest quality standard for Chemistry teaching and research.
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