Astrophysics and Computer Science at Keele University - UCAS

Keele University

Degree level: Undergraduate

Astrophysics and Computer Science

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

From learning the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and computer programming to the study of gravitational waves and cyber security, you'll deepen your curiosity and develop a solid foundation of knowledge on our 3 year programme, gaining the advanced critical thinking, mathematical and problem-solving skills that are relevant to a wide range of industries. Why choose this course?

  • Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL)
  • Access a wide range of equipment in Computer Science including supercomputer facilities and a VR lab
  • Tackle an open-ended, research-focused astrophysics project in your final year
  • Accreditation pathway is available for Astrophysics
In astrophysics you will apply physics to understanding how the universe works and possibly explore questions like 'is there an Earth-like planet around another star'? 'Is there a black hole at the centre of every galaxy?' And 'why is the expansion of the Universe accelerating?' Computer Science is informed by research and our content is kept up-to-date thanks to close interaction with our industry. You will learn the key themes that underpin contemporary computer science, from programming best practices to the use of the latest tools and technology. Astrophysics equips you with the quantitative, analytic and communication skills needed for analysing data and solving problems, which are prized by employers. The programme is underpinned by a core physics curriculum as set out by the Institute of Physics. This includes, for example, the fundamentals of classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics and solid state physics, together with the mathematics used to describe them. Students on this combined honours programme have the opportunity to learn about astronomical techniques and use our own observatory here at Keele. On our computer science modules you will explore the fundamental concepts and techniques for modern, professional programming. Initial modules are designed to bring everyone up to speed, regardless of the starting level of coding experience, and to provide a gentle introduction to the skills required for effective academic study. You will then move on to learn advanced programming concepts that can be applied in areas such as games programming, mobile app and web development, artificial intelligence and cyber security, not disregarding the human aspect of Computer Science thanks to the focus on user interaction and user interface design, software engineering methodologies (SCRUM, Agile) and cutting edge research in AI and machine learning. About Keele Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university. We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level. Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.

Modules

For a list of indicative and likely optional modules please visit the course website.


How to apply

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Please see our website for our full range of entry requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduatecourses/astrophysicsandcomputerscience/#entry-reqs


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Additional fee information

Please note, our fees for 2025 entry will be available soon. Although we review our fees annually and these may change, our 2024 entry fees are detailed on our course pages, and a summary is available on our website: keele.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/tuitionfeesandfunding/undergraduatetuitionfees/
Astrophysics and Computer Science at Keele University - UCAS