Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics - BSc (Hons)
with a Professional Placement
- Standard option
-
with a Professional Placement
- Physics with a Foundation Year
Undergraduate Open Day
Join us at our Canterbury campus on Saturday 22 April from 10:00 - 14:00 (BST). Hear from staff and students about our courses, find out about our accommodation and see our stunning campus for yourself.
Are you inspired by the wonders and vastness of the Universe? Do you want to investigate the possibilities of life elsewhere within it? Get involved with real space missions from ESA and NASA, and work on Hubble Telescope data and images from giant telescopes, or work with our own Beacon Observatory. A professional placement year gives you the chance to gain valuable workplace experience and apply your academic skills in a practical context.
Overview
Access our first-class research laboratories, which are equipped for synthetic and analytical techniques ranging from soft organic polymers to nanoparticles, to highly sensitive organometallic species.
Develop the transferable skills to open up a world of job opportunities, leading to careers in research, engineering, aerospace/defence, medical physics, teaching, finance and data analytics.
This course is fully accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP).
Reasons to study Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics at Kent
- Excellent teaching and research facilities including state-of-the-art laboratories, photonics centre and Beacon Observatory, which provides a fully automised system with both optical and radio telescope capability.
- Our expert lecturers are both innovative teachers and active researchers working at the cutting-edge of research across a range of fields, from quantum materials to medical imaging.
- Students meet regularly with their academic adviser to support their academic and career development.
- Learn in a variety of settings, from lectures and interactive workshops to laboratory classes, computing sessions and team projects.
- Flexible curriculum allows you to move between our courses in the earlier years, ensuring you are studying the best course for you.
- Join our student-run societies: PhySoc, SpaceSoc and Amateur Rocketry Society, who organise talks, practical demonstrations and social events.
- Build the connections that matter thanks to our links with optical laboratories, local health authorities, aerospace/defence industries and software and engineering companies.
- A dedicated foundation year makes our course accessible to those without a science background.
What you'll learn
In your first year, the focus is on the fundamentals of mathematics, physics and astronomy.
Your second year covers a broad range of subjects such as the multiwavelength universe and exoplanets, spacecraft design and operations, atomic and nuclear physics, and quantum physics.
The professional placement year takes place in your third year. To undertake the placement year, you must complete your first year at the first attempt with an average pass mark of at least 60%. We have a dedicated team who will offer you help and support in finding a placement, but ultimately it is your responsibility. If you are unable to secure a placement, you will revert to the equivalent three-year degree course.
In your final year, the combination of specialist modules and laboratory work on individual and group projects opens avenues for even deeper exploration: for example, stars, galaxies and the Universe, the Sun, the Earth and Mars, thermal and statistical physics and relativity, optics, and Maxwell’s equations.
Foundation Year
If you do not have the grades or scientific background for direct entry to the degree, you have the option of the Physics Foundation Year. Upon successful completion of this year, you are able to progress to any of our Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, or Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics degrees.
School of Physics and Astronomy
The School of Physics and Astronomy is a welcoming and supportive environment with a lively student community. Our physics teaching is underpinned by our research strengths in quantum materials, applied optics and imaging, and astrophysics and planetary science, giving you the chance to learn from experts and providing opportunities to become involved in our research.
The flexible curriculum at Kent allows you to move between our range of physics-based courses in the early years, helping you find the right course for you. The student-run Physics, Space and Amateur Rocketry societies organise talks, practical demonstrations, trips and social events, and the School offers a programme of talks and careers events, including the annual Stephen Gray lecture.
Featured video
Entry requirements
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.
-
A level
BBB, including A level Mathematics at B (not Use of Mathematics)
-
Access to HE Diploma
The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.
-
BTEC Nationals
The University will consider applicants holding/studying BTEC Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) in a relevant Science or Engineering subject at 180 credits or more, on a case by case basis. Please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.
-
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall or 14 at HL including HL Maths/Maths Method or HL Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at 5 or SL Maths/Maths Methods at 6 (not Maths Studies/SL Maths: Applications & Interpretations)
-
International Foundation Programme
N/A
-
T level
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of science/mathematics ready for undergraduate study, we offer a Foundation Year programme which can help boost your previous scientific experience.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advice about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
Form
Course structure
Duration: 4 years full-time
Modules
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Fees
The 2023/24 annual tuition fees for this course are:
- Home full-time £9,250
- EU full-time £16,400
- International full-time £21,900
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
Your fee status
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Fees for year in industry
Fees for undergraduate students are £1,385.
Fees for year abroad
Fees for undergraduate students are £1,385.
Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
Scholarships
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarshipsKent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is by lectures, practical classes, tutorials and workshops. You have an average of nine one-hour lectures, one or two days of practical or project work and a number of workshops each week. The practical modules include specific study skills in physics and general communication skills. For the year in industry you write a final report of the work you did during the placememnt and, on returning to Kent for your final year of study, present a lecture on your experiences.
Assessment is by written examinations at the end of each year and by continuous assessment of practical classes and other written assignments. Your final degree result is made up of a combined mark from the Stage 2 and 3 assessments and your year in industry, with maximum weight applied to the final stage.
Contact hours
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- Instil a sense of enthusiasm for physics through an understanding of the role of the discipline at the core of our intellectual understanding of all aspects of nature and as the foundation of many of the pure and applied sciences.
- Provide knowledge of its application in different contexts in an intellectually stimulating research-led environment.
- Provide a balanced foundation of physics knowledge and practical skills and an understanding of scientific methodology.
- Enable students to undertake and report on an experimental and/or theoretical investigation.
- Develop the ability to to apply skills, knowledge and understanding in physics to the solution of theoretical and practical problems in physics.
- Provide a knowledge and skills base from which students can proceed to further studies in specialised areas of physics or multi-disciplinary areas involving physical principles.
- Generate an appreciation of the importance of physics in industrial, economic, environmental and social contexts.
- Instil and/or enhance in you a sense of enthusiasm for astronomy, astrophysics and space science, and an appreciation of its application in current research.
- Generate an appreciation of the importance of astronomy, astrophysics and space science and its role in understanding how the universe in which we live came about and how it continues to exist and develop.
- Provide a grounding in space systems and technology, and the overlap between the science and commercial drivers in the aerospace industry.
- Motivate and support a wide range of students in their endeavours to realise their academic potential.
- Provide students with a knowledge and skills base from which they can proceed to further studies in specialised areas of physics or multi-disciplinary areas involving physical principles; the BSc with a Year in Industry is particularly geared for those wishing to explore opportunities to apply their knowledge and experience in an industrial environment and enhance their employability skills.
- Generate in students an appreciation of the importance of physics in the industrial, economic, environmental and social contexts.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- Physical laws and principles, and their application to diverse areas of physics including: electromagnetism, classical and quantum mechanics, statistical physics and thermodynamics, wave phenomena and the properties of matter as fundamental aspects, with additional material from nuclear and particle physics, condensed matter physics, materials, plasmas and fluids.
- Aspects of the theory and practice of astronomy, astrophysics and space science, and of those aspects upon which they depend, including a knowledge of key physics, the use of electronic data processing and analysis, and modern day mathematical and computational tools.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- Identify relevant principles and laws when dealing with problems, and to make approximations necessary to obtain solutions.
- The ability to solve problems in physics using appropriate mathematical tools.
- Execute and analyse critically the results of an experiment or investigation and draw valid conclusions, evaluate the level of uncertainty in these results and compare them with expected outcomes, theoretical predictions or with published data to evaluate the significance of their results in this context.
- Use mathematical techniques and analysis to model physical behaviour.
- Comment critically on how spacecraft are designed, their principles of operation, and their use to access and explore space, and on how telescopes (operating at various wavelengths) are designed, their principles of operation, and their use in astronomy and astrophysics research.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- Competent use of C&IT packages/systems for the analysis of data and information retrieval.
- The ability to present and interpret information graphically.
- Communicate scientific information and produce clear, accurate scientific reports.
- Familiarity with laboratory apparatus and techniques.
- The systematic and reliable recording of experimental data.
- Use appropriate texts, research-based materials or other learning resources as part of managing your own learning.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- Problem solving and the confidence to try different approaches to make progress on challenging problems and numeracy.
- Investigative ability including the use of textbooks and other literature, databases, and interaction with colleagues.
- Communication, such as dealing with surprising ideas and difficult concepts, including listening carefully, reading demanding texts and presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.
- Analytical abilities, in particular attention to detail, to manipulate precise and intricate ideas to construct logical arguments and use technical language correctly.
- The ability to work independently, to use initiative, meet deadlines and interact constructively with other people.
- The ability to work effectively in an industrial or commercial environment.
- The ability to apply skills gained from the programme within the workplace.
Independent rankings
Over 86% of final-year Physics students were satisfied with the quality of the teaching on their course in The Guardian University Guide 2023.
Careers
Graduate destinations
Kent Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics graduates have an excellent employment record with recent graduates going on to work for employers:
- Airbus
- The Met Office
- Defence Engineering and Science Group (MoD)
- BAE
Career-enhancing skills
You graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge and extensive laboratory experience. In addition, you also develop the key transferable skills sought by employers, such as:
- excellent communication skills
- work independently or as part of a team
- the ability to solve problems and think analytically
- time management.
You can also enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
Help finding a job
The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
- apply for jobs
- write a good CV
- perform well in interviews.
Professional recognition
Recognised by the Institute of Physics.
Apply for Astronomy, Space Science and Astrophysics with a Professional Placement - BSc (Hons)
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
Find out more about how to apply
All applicants
International applicants
Contact us
International student enquiries
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
School website
Discover Uni information
Discover Uni is designed to support prospective students in deciding whether, where and what to study. The site replaces Unistats from September 2019.
Discover Uni is jointly owned by the Office for Students, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Scottish Funding Council.
It includes:
- Information and guidance about higher education
- Information about courses
- Information about providers
Find out more about the Unistats dataset on the Higher Education Statistics Agency website.