BSc Physics with Astrophysics / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course description

Take your studies sky-high with our BSc Physics with Astrophysics course - ideal if you want both a solid grounding in physics and a greater understanding of astronomy. 

Astrophysics principally involves applying the laws of physics to distant regions where physical conditions can only be inferred from the emission of electromagnetic radiation. During the course you will learn about the Sun and the Solar System, the stars and the Galaxy, distant galaxies and quasars, and the beginning of the Universe. 

You will learn how to apply basic physics in situations that are often extreme compared to those found on Earth.

Our Department of Physics and Astronomy is renowned around the world, and our facilities - including the famous Jodrell Bank - are second to none.

Special features

Incredible facilities

Make use of the fantastic, unique facilities available at Manchester - including the much-loved Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.

A range of study options

You can extend your degree by a year to undertake an integrated master's: at the beginning of your third year there is the possibility of transferring to the four-year MPhys course.

Outstanding reputation

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester has an excellent international reputation, and a qualification from us can be your passport to a successful career anywhere in the world.

Teaching and learning

You will undertake a variety of timetabled activities, including lectures, laboratory work, tutorials, workshops and examples classes.

Coursework and assessment

Course units are normally assessed formally at the end of the semester via examinations. Laboratory or computer based course units also employ assignments and other methods of continuous assessment.

Course unit details

You can find out more information about the course units included in your chosen degree course below.

Note that not every combination of option choices may be possible due to timetable clashes.

Course content for year 1

Course units for year 1

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Mathematics 1 PHYS10071 10 Mandatory
Dynamics PHYS10101 10 Mandatory
Quantum Physics and Relativity PHYS10121 10 Mandatory
Year 1 Lab Work (All Yr) PHYS10180 20 Mandatory
Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology PHYS10191 10 Mandatory
Vibrations & Waves PHYS10302 10 Mandatory
Electricity & Magnetism PHYS10342 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming PHYS10362 10 Mandatory
Mathematics 2 PHYS10372 10 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Management BMAN10011 10 Optional
Microeconomics 1 ECON10221 10 Optional
Science & the Modern World HSTM10221 10 Optional
Physics in Everyday Life PHYS10461 10 Optional
Random Processes in Physics PHYS10471 10 Optional
Advanced Dynamics PHYS10672 10 Optional
Physics of the Solar System PHYS10692 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 16 course units for year 1

Course content for year 2

Course units for year 2

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PHYS20101 10 Mandatory
Electromagnetism PHYS20141 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Programming for Physicists PHYS20161 10 Mandatory
Mathematics of Waves and Fields PHYS20171 10 Mandatory
Year 2 Lab Work (All Yr) PHYS20180 20 Mandatory
Fundamentals of Solid State Physics PHYS20252 10 Mandatory
Wave Optics PHYS20312 10 Mandatory
Statistical Mechanics PHYS20352 10 Mandatory
Galaxies PHYS20491 10 Mandatory
Exoplanets PHYS20792 10 Mandatory
Introduction to Financial Mathematics MATH20912 10 Optional
Fluid Mechanics MATH24412 10 Optional
Entrepreneurial Skills MCEL10002 10 Optional
Physics of Energy Sources PHYS10622 10 Optional
Advanced Dynamics PHYS10672 10 Optional
Physics of the Solar System PHYS10692 10 Optional
Introduction to Data Science PHYS10792 10 Optional
Introduction to Photonics PHYS20612 10 Optional
Complex Variables and Vector Spaces PHYS20672 10 Optional
Computational Physics PHYS20762 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 20 course units for year 2

Course content for year 3

Course units for year 3

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics PHYS30121 10 Mandatory
Yr3 Physics Laboratory Work (All Year) PHYS30180 20 Mandatory
General Physics Skills PHYS30302 10 Mandatory
Cosmology PHYS30392 10 Mandatory
Stars and Stellar Evolution PHYS30692 10 Mandatory
BSc dissertation PHYS30880 10 Mandatory
Quantum Computing COMP39112 10 Optional
Comparative Planetology EART30232 10 Optional
Meteorology and Forecasting EART31201 10 Optional
Origin of the Solar System EART32201 10 Optional
Planetary Evolution EART35202 10 Optional
Climate and Energy: Past, Present and Future EART36002 10 Optional
The Nuclear Age: Global Nuclear Threats from Hiroshima to Today HSTM31212 10 Optional
Viscous Fluid Flow MATH35002 10 Optional
Wave Motion MATH35012 10 Optional
Elasticity MATH35021 10 Optional
Mathematical Modelling in Finance MATH39032 10 Optional
Tools and Techniques for Enterprise MCEL30001 10 Optional
Advanced Technology Enterprise MCEL30012 10 Optional
Lagrangian Dynamics PHYS20401 10 Optional
Exoplanets PHYS20792 10 Optional
Condensed Matter Physics PHYS30051 10 Optional
Applications of Quantum Physics PHYS30101 10 Optional
Electromagnetic Radiation PHYS30141 10 Optional
Mathematical Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics PHYS30201 10 Optional
Electrodynamics (M) PHYS30441 10 Optional
Introduction to Non-linear Physics PHYS30471 10 Optional
Nuclear Fusion and Astrophysical Plasmas PHYS30511 10 Optional
Lasers and Photonics PHYS30611 10 Optional
Physics of Medical Imaging PHYS30632 10 Optional
Physics of Fluids PHYS30652 10 Optional
Physics of Living Processes PHYS30732 10 Optional
Object-Oriented Programming in C++ PHYS30762 10 Optional
Advanced Quantum Mechanics PHYS40202 10 Optional
Particle Physics PHYS40222 10 Optional
Nuclear Physics PHYS40322 10 Optional
Applied Nuclear Physics PHYS40422 10 Optional
Mathematical Methods for Physics PHYS40672 10 Optional
Semiconductor Quantum Structures PHYS40712 10 Optional
Physics and Reality PHYS41702 10 Optional
Displaying 10 of 40 course units for year 3

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .

What our students say

Find out what it's like to study at Manchester by visiting the Department of Physics and Astronomy blog .

Facilities

Make the most of a fantastic array of facilities that rival those of leading departments across the world. They include the world-famous Jodrell Bank Observatory and a new £10 million extension to our Schuster Laboratory.

The University of Manchester also offers extensive library and online services , helping you get the most out of your studies.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk