Information for Prospective Students
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Fees and Funding
UK & EU Fee
£9,000 (2013/14)
Overseas Fee
£19,500 (2013/14)
General Funding Notes
Details about financial support are available at: www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
Admissions Tutor
Dr David Waters
Admissions Co-ordinator
Mrs Sophie Lo
Email: physast-admissions@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 7246
Key Facts
Research Assessment Exercise
60% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
(What is the RAE?)
Departmental website
More Information
Prospectus subject entry
Prospectus faculty entry
Astrophysics BSc
UCAS Code: F510
Astrophysics makes demands across a broad frontier of technologies: materials science, optics and electronics. This three-year programme teaches students to apply their knowledge of physics to astronomical observation and to the interpretation of the data and images obtained.
Entry Requirements
A Levels
| Grades | AAA-AAB |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Mathematics and Physics required at grade A. |
| AS Levels | A pass in a further subject at AS level or equivalent is required. |
| GCSEs | English Language and Mathematics at grade C. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs |
IB Diploma
| Points | 36-38 |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A total of 17-18 points in three higher level subjects including Mathematics and Physics at grade 6, with no score below 5. |
Other Qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Selected entry requirements will appear here
International Qualifications
International Qualifications
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
University Preparatory Certificates
UCL offers intensive one-year foundation courses to prepare international students for a variety of degree programmes at UCL.
The University Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language you will also need to satisfy UCL's English Language Requirements. A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Degree Summary
Degree Benefits
- The programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics and includes the very latest developments and discoveries in the field, based on our highly rated research.
- Collaborative links with both industry and international research laboratories provide insight into the practical application of your studies.
- You will undertake practical work at UCL's University of London Observatory (ULO) and benefit from our close association with the Royal Astronomical Society.
- One third year option includes a field trip to the Observatoire de Haute Provence in France.
Core courses in the first two years provide a grounding in mathematics and classical and quantum physics. You will also undertake courses which build up an increasing exposure to topics in astronomy and astrophysics. This starts in the first year with core courses in Physics of the Universe and Practical Astronomy. This is followed in the second year by Astrophysical Processes: Nebulae to Stars and Practical Astrophysics, leading into core third year courses in Stellar Astrophysics, Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology, and Astronomical Spectroscopy. The third year also provides for optional courses to further enhance and enrich your knowledge of astrophysics topics.
This programme is offered both as a three-year BSc and a four-year MSci, with common structures and subjects for the first two years. However, the additional fourth year of the MSci programme allows for a greater depth of study and we recommend you apply for an MSci initially, as this keeps more options open.
Your Learning
Teaching is undertaken through lectures, laboratory (and as appropriate, observatory) practical sessions, and supervised problem-solving tutorials. These tutorials are designed to deal with lecture-based questions, enlarge on topics addressed in lectures, and allow clarification and in-depth discussion of new concepts.
Assessment
Assessment will normally involve end-of-year examinations, and an element of assessed coursework. For practical work you will be continuously assessed.
Degree Structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Year Two
Final Year
Further details available on degree page of subject website:
Your Career
Your scientific training will equip you with an understanding of mathematics, and of physical principles and techniques, as well as transferable skills in analysis, rational argument and innovative problem solving. Surveys by the IOP indicate that physicists' versatility is welcomed by a wider range of professions than any other subject.
Around half our graduates choose to pursue further study for an MSc or PhD. A PhD opens up the possibility of an academic or research career in a university or research institute. Alternatively, like many of our graduates, you may consider employment in research, design, development, computing, finance, marketing and insurance industries, among others.
Destinations
First career destinations of recent graduates (2009-2011) of Astrophysics programmes at UCL include:
- Secondary Teacher, Greens Wood Academy (2010)
- Full-time student, MSc in Astrophysics at UCL (2010)
- Financial Analyst, Citigroup (2009)
- Trainee Accountant, Arnold Hill & Co (2009)
- Full-time student, PhD in Space and Climate Physics at UCL (2008)
Find out more about London graduates' careers by visiting the Careers Group (University of London) website:
Application
Your Application
In addition to the subjects and grades specified in the qualifying examinations, we are also looking for evidence of self-motivation and an enthusiastic interest in the subject. This may be demonstrated through paid or voluntary work experience, academic project work, or your interests and hobbies beyond the school curriculum.
How to Apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
If you are based in the UK within a reasonable travelling distance of UCL, and your application demonstrates your suitability for the programme, you will be invited to a compulsory applicant open day. This will include presentations, a tour of facilities and an opportunity to meet current students and staff members.
If you are based outside the UK, or not within reasonable travelling distance of UCL, we will decide whether to make you an offer on the basis of your UCAS application and reference; a telephone interview may be offered.
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