Course overview

Our three-year Physics with Astrophysics degree provides a strong understanding of the fundamental pillars of physics and a thorough grounding in advanced mathematics. You'll apply physics, mathematics and computation to understand the origin and evolution of the universe.

Hands-on experience in our high-spec facilities is embedded throughout the degree and will develop your practical skills for a wide range of physical science careers.

Guided by our world-leading academics, you'll study a broad range of cutting edge physics modules. In your final year, you'll specialise in astrophysics with modules such as relativity and cosmology, stellar structure and evolution and interstellar medium. 

Download information about this course as a PDF

Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

Quality and ranking

We have a long tradition of excellence in teaching, recognised in many external surveys and assessments, but also by our own students.

Our commitment to teaching quality and an excellent student experience is reflected through our results in national and international student satisfaction surveys.

Teaching excellence

TEF Gold

A ringing endorsement of Newcastle University’s long tradition of excellence in teaching.

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the Institute of Physics.

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll cover topics in astrophysics; dynamics; quantum mechanics; mathematical methods and problem-solving; electromagnetism; vibrations, waves and AC theory; and laboratory physics.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dynamics	10
Introductory Astrophysics	10
Introductory Electromagnetism	10
Introductory Quantum Mechanics	10
Multivariate Calculus and Differential Equations	10
Laboratory Physics 1	20
Introduction to Calculus	20
Vibrations, Waves, AC Theory & Introduction to Solid State Materials	20
Introductory Algebra	10

You'll build on your knowledge of core concepts, including quantum mechanics and electromagnetism, and study modules in thermodynamics; semiconductor devices; optics; materials and solid-state physics; statistical mechanics; vector calculus and differential equations. Core astrophysics concepts are covered in physics in the modern world (astrophysics), computational methods and fluid dynamics.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Principles of Quantum Mechanics	10
Principles of Materials and Solid-State Physics	10
Introduction to Observational Astronomy	10
Fluid Dynamics	10
Computational Methods and Professional Skills for Theoretical Physics	10
Vector Calculus & Differential Equations, Transforms & Waves	20
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics	20
Optics & Principles of Electromagnetism	20
Scientific Computation with Python	10

You'll study core subjects to an advanced level, including quantum mechanics; computational modelling; atoms, molecules, nuclei, particles; stellar structure and evolution; cosmology; the interstellar medium; materials and solid-state physics.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Relativity	10
Advanced Materials and Solid-State Physics	10
Group Project	10
Advanced Astrophysics	10
Theoretical Project	20
Stellar Structure and Evolution	10
Cosmology	10
Interstellar Medium & High Energy Physics	10
Advanced Quantum & Atoms, Molecules, Nuclei & Particles	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Geohazards and Deformation of the Earth	10
Variational Methods and Lagrangian Dynamics	10
Advanced Electromagnetism	10
Partial Differential Equations	10
Photonics	10
Advanced Fluid Dynamics	10
Instabilities	10
Mathematical Biology	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

You'll be taught via a range of approaches, including:

• lectures and seminars
• small group tutorials
• problem classes
• laboratory sessions
• practical computing sessions

In Stage 1 you will have 45 hours of practical sessions in our laboratories where you'll take part in experiments and project work.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assessments

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Projects

• 

  Reports

Skills and experience

Practical experience

This degree will equip you with skills that are in demand with employers across the globe.

Using our high-spec facilities, and working alongside our expert staff, you'll:

• develop expertise in experimental techniques, giving you the practical skills required in a wide range of physical science careers
• conduct research at a leading Russell Group university, showcasing your research and presentation skills
• develop experimental, analytical, computing and research skills through laboratory- and project-based modules

Business skills

In Stage 3 you'll take part in a group project, allowing you to build on your teamworking and practical skills. You'll also conduct an individual project in an area of interest under the tuition of our expert academic staff, developing research, practical and presentation skills.

Research skills

You'll benefit from our interdisciplinary approach and the diverse research strengths of our expert academic staff. We have research expertise in:

• planetary dynamos
• geomagnetic field reversals
• magnetic torques in accretion discs binary stars
• galactic dynamos
• interstellar turbulence
• magnetic Taylor–Couette flow

Opportunities

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a physics student at Newcastle University, you'll be based at our city-centre campus in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics' Herschel Building. 

The School has high-specification laboratory facilities equipped with leading experimental and computational physics capabilities, such as:

• cryogenics labs
• semiconductor labs
• High Performance Computing
• data from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

The Herschel Building also has dedicated study and social spaces, and a computing area.

Join us for a tour around our high-spec facilities

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet so you can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a dedicated member of staff whose responsibility is to help our students manage the transition from A Levels to undergraduate study.

The Transition Officer works with Stage 1 undergraduates to provide:

• Stage 1 pastoral and academic support
• attendance and academic performance monitoring
• Stage 1 induction
• weekly drop-ins

Your future

We have research links with the following companies and external organisations:

• Littelfuse
• the De Beers Group
• DEFRA
• STFC
• NASA
• LOFAR
• intel
• CPI

Graduating with a degree in physics

Physics graduates report earning average salaries close to £27,000 on graduation.

Possible career paths for physics graduates include:

• engineering
• medicine
• finance
• nanotechnology
• oil, gas and renewable energy
• telecommunications

You'll gain transferable skills that are highly valued by employers such as problem-solving, analytical, mathematical, communication, presentation, teamwork and computing skills.

Further study, including postgraduate courses for secondary school teaching and PhD courses, is also available to physics graduates.

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Make a difference

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Careers support

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.

Read our detailed explanation

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£23400

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your degree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchange programme). 

The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

Read more about fees and funding

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages