Astrophysics
| MSc | 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time |
| Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) | 9 months full-time, 2 years part-time |
The MSc programmes in Physics and Astrophysics aim to provide students with a sound knowledge of the underlying principles which form a thorough basis for careers in these and related fields, enable students to develop insights into the techniques used in current projects and allow an in-depth experience of a particular specialised research area. In addition they are meant to develop the professional skills for students to play a meaningful role in industrial or academic life, and give students the experience of teamwork, a chance to develop presentation skills and learn to work to deadlines.
The programmes include a number of lecture courses relevant to the discipline such as Planetary Atmospheres and Cosmology in the Astrophysics course, though some flexibility is built in so that courses can also be taken on topics removed from the immediate subject.
A research topic is included so that 50% of the marks are made up by completing an individual task. These are built around cutting-edge topics from the Department's research programme. The supervisor will provide a topic in which the student has a real chance to make a contribution to the research. In Astrophysics in recent years, for example, this has meant topics such as re-analysing extrasolar planet orbits to improve their characterisation, looking at datasets that inform the cosmology of Dark Energy and investigating the possibility that life could exist on a recently discovered "super-Earth" orbiting a nearby red dwarf star.
These projects give a real feel for what it is like to do postgraduate research, or work in a project team in an advanced industry.
Please note that at present there is no funding available for overseas students undertaking this course.
MSc (180 credits) |
Core Modules |
Options |
Research Essay |
Research Dissertation |
| 4 courses must be chosen (60 credits) | 2 courses must be chosen (30 credits) |
(30 credits) |
(60 credits) |
|
|
An extended literature survey on a topic related to your research project |
An independent research project based in one of the Departmental research groups, culminating in a dissertation and oral presentation. |
PgDip (120 credits) |
Core Modules
|
Options |
Research Essay |
| 4 courses must be chosen (60 credits) | 2 courses must be chosen (30 credits) | (30 credits) |
|
|
The research Essay will form the basis of the project for the 2nd year. |
MSc: |
A minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (normally Physics or Electrical Engineering only) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. |
PgDip: |
A minimum of a 2:2 Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. |
Non-UK university degrees: |
For prospective entrants with non-UK university degrees, entry criteria will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Non native-English speakers will also need to provide a sufficient proof of proficiency in the English language as from the UCL admissions website (see notes for international applicants). |
All students whose first language is not English must be able to provide recent evidence that their spoken and written command of the English language is adequate for the programmes for which they have applied. This requirement is specified in order to ensure that the academic progress of students is not hindered by language difficulties and that students are able to integrate socially while studying at UCL and living in the UK.
Further details can be found at
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application/research/english-language
Applications |
Can be made online or by downloading a form in pdf format at www.ucl.ac.uk/admission/graduate-study/application-admission/ |
Deadline |
2 August Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines |
Postal Address |
MSc Programme Tutor Department of Physics and Astronomy University College London London WC1E 6BT United Kingdom |
