Course summary

Would you like to spend one year of your Physics and Astrophysics degree studying at a foreign university? Perhaps you are interested in developing your language skills whilst studying for a degree, or you see yourself working abroad in a future career. If so, this degree course might be for you. Our Physics and Astrophysics (International Study) BSc programme is for those who are fascinated by astronomy, and are looking for an in-depth treatment that also gives a good grounding in physics. You will have access to excellent astronomy facilities during your degree, such as our special Astro laboratory which provides astronomical data from observatories around the world. We also have a purpose-built Observatory, which you could use during your project work. All of which make Birmingham a great place for studying Astrophysics. The emphasis during the year abroad is on developing ability in the foreign language and on understanding the cultural, historical and social aspects of the host country. The combination of skills you acquire in physics and mathematics with fluency in a foreign language is attractive to potential employers. To undertake an exchange to a non-English speaking university, BSc you must hold a GCSE (grade B or above) an appropriate language. You are required to continue with language lessons during the first two years of your studies at the University of Birmingham. See the modules section for further details. There are many opportunities to undertake project work during your degree. This will be as part of your lab work in the first two years, a project develops a wide range of skills including planning and report writing. Group studies in your final year is a major project which is undertaken in groups of 10-20 students. The task requires the group to work as a team and enables you to solve a problem of much greater magnitude than could be attempted by an individual. The team work skills learnt here are invaluable in success in a future career. You will be taught by academics who are global experts in their field, you'll gain a broad understanding of the essential concepts of physics, ranging from entropy to quantum mechanics and beyond. The transferable skills you’ll also learn will make you very employable; including problem solving, computing and giving presentations.