Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Astrophysics BSc

Astrophysics involves a broad frontier of technologies including materials science, optics and electronics. This three-year course teaches students to apply their knowledge of physics to astronomical observation and to the interpretation of the data and images obtained.

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Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years full time
Fees (2026/27)
UK: £9,790 per year
International: £42,700 per year
Application deadlines
13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.
Course starts
September 2027
View 2026 entry
UCAS code
F510
Location
London, Bloomsbury
Department
Physics and Astronomy
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Entry requirements

Grades
A*AA
Subjects
A*A in Mathematics and Physics required (in any order).
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

Contextual offer

Grades
AAB
Subjects
AA in Mathematics and Physics
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education.

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

About this course

Compulsory modules in the first two years provide a grounding in mathematics and classical and quantum physics. You will also undertake modules which build up an increasing exposure to topics in astronomy and astrophysics. This starts in the first year with compulsory modules in Physics of the Universe and Practical Astronomy. This is followed in the second year by Astrophysical Processes and Practical Astrophysics, leading into compulsory third-year modules in Quantum Mechanics, Interstellar Physics, Physical Cosmology, and Astronomical Spectroscopy. The third year also provides for optional modules to further enhance and enrich your knowledge of astrophysics topics.

This course is offered both as a three-year BSc and a four-year MSci, with common structures and subjects for the first two years. Transfer between BSc and MSci is possible, however the additional fourth year of the MSci course allows for a greater depth of study and we recommend you apply for an MSci initially, as this keeps more options open.

Course structure

Compulsory modules in Years 1 and 2 provide a grounding in mathematics and classical and quantum physics. You will also undertake modules which build up an increasing exposure to topics in astronomy and astrophysics. This starts in Year 1 with compulsory modules in Physics of the Universe and Practical Astronomy. This is followed in the Year 2 by Astrophysical Processes and Practical Astrophysics, leading into compulsory Year 3 modules in Quantum Mechanics, Interstellar Physics, Physical Cosmology, and Astronomical Spectroscopy. Year 3 also provides for optional modules to further enhance and enrich your knowledge of astrophysics topics.

Modules

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Please note that the list of compulsory modules given here is indicative. Up to 10 optional modules per year are displayed for this course: this may not be the full range of optional modules available for selection. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available. For more detail regarding module availability, please contact the department.

Compulsory modules

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory and, as appropriate, observatory practical sessions. Lectures are complemented by supervised problem-solving tutorials that 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 will normally involve end-of-year examinations, and an element of assessed coursework. For practical work you will be continuously assessed.

Teaching contact hours for courses offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy are approximately 20 hours per week in year 1, consisting of lectures 14–15 hours per week, laboratory classes 3–4 hours per week and problem solving tutorials 2-3 hours per week.  In Years 2–4 contact hours can range from 10–20 hours per week depending on options selected.

The exact number of contact hours and composition varies throughout the course as, in particular, laboratory classes in subsequent years are longer. Observatory classes for students studying Astronomy may take place in the evening.

In addition to timetabled sessions students are expected to undertake approximately 15-20 hours of independent study per week.

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £42,700

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

You will require the approved model of calculator for use in exams. Currently this is any calculator from the Casio FX83 or FX85 ranges, this can be purchased for around £11–£15. For details, please see the UCL examinations guide. You may also be required to purchase books, stationery, printing, thesis binding and photocopying.

For in-person teaching, UCL's main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1–2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2026. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

The Physics and Astronomy Opportunity Scholarship aims to attract undergraduate students from a broad range of backgrounds to tackle the lack of Black representation within the Physics and Astronomy field. The scholarships are open to UK-domiciled students with home fee status who identify as Black pursuing an undergraduate degree at UCL, and will cover students’ full maintenance loans for the duration of their degree.

Why study this course at UCL?

The course is accredited by the Institute of Physics IOP and includes the very latest developments and discoveries in the field, based on our highly-rated research.

An astrophysics degree from UCL is a strong asset across the whole range of careers where scientific skills are required, extending beyond research and enabling leading roles in solving global challenges.

You will undertake practical work at the UCL Observatory UCLO, one of the best-equipped astronomical facilities for student training and research in the UK, and benefit from our close association with the Royal Astronomical Society.

Ranked in the top 4 in the UK by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Physics and Astronomy you will be taught by lecturers who are experts in a wide range of physics-related fields.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

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 Institute of Physics indicate that physicists’ versatility is welcomed by a wider range of professions than any other subject.

Around 25% of our graduates choose to pursue further study for an MSc or PhD (HESA Graduate Outcomes survey of the destinations of graduates in the 2022-23 cohort).  A PhD opens the possibility of an academic or research career in a university or research institute.

Alternatively, like many of our graduates, you may consider employment where the most popular sectors include financial services, information technology, engineering or teaching, among others.

Professional accreditation

This BSc/MSci course has been granted conditional accreditation by the Institute of Physics IoP for a period of two years, with a scheduled review on 30 June 2026.

Holders of accredited degrees can follow a route to Institute of Physics membership and the Chartered Physicist CPhys professional qualification. Graduates of accredited Integrated Master’s MPhys or MSci degrees have fulfilled the educational requirements for CPhys status, while graduates of accredited Bachelor’s BSc degrees have partially fulfilled these requirements.

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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.

Your application will be carefully assessed based on your UCAS form and reference. If you are made an offer, you will be invited to a Physics Offer Holders’ Day. This will include presentations, a tour of facilities and an opportunity to meet current students and staff members. Attendance is strongly recommended as we cannot provide private tours of the department at the moment.

Some Physics Offer Holders’ Days will be partially livestreamed for overseas applicants.

 

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Astrophysics BSc course. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

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Physics and Astronomy

Physics and Astronomy

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