Course summary
This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview 95% of the universe exists in a form we still don't understand. Explore stars, galaxies, black holes and gravitational waves – joining an international community looking for answers. On this Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology degree course, you’ll deepen your understanding of the fundamental laws of physics, and apply this knowledge to the structure and behaviour of some of the largest and smallest elements of existence. You'll be taught by and study alongside researchers from the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG) who play leading roles in major international projects, such as the European Space Agency Euclid satellite. You’ll graduate with mathematical and computational knowledge sought after by employers in many industries, from aerospace to finance. BSc or MPhys? You can study this course as a 3-year Bachelor's degree (BSc) or a 4-year integrated Master's degree (MPhys). The MPhys allows you to achieve a Master’s level degree with just one extra year of undergraduate study, further enhancing your career prospects. Course highlights
- See physics theory in practice through visits to aerospace companies such as BAE Systems, Airbus Defence and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
- Access Hampshire Astronomical Group facilities at Clanfield Observatory, including various telescopes such as a 24-inch reflector, to observe the stars and galaxies and collect project data
- Study alongside researchers from the University's physics research teams (and contribute to their work in your final project), whose research was ranked in the top 10 nationally for quality of research outputs
- Use advanced technical equipment with the help of expert technical staff, including x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, electron and atomic force microscopes, various types of spectroscopy and the SCIAMA supercomputer
- Develop the professional skills and standards you need as a practicing physicist, through a major research project in your final year
- Access large datasets produced by international-level sky surveys, including the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, when you take the MPhys degree course
- cosmology
- astrophysics
- astronomy and theoretical physics
- space systems and aerospace industry
- education
- scientific journalism
- medical physics
- finance
- data analysis
Modules
Year 1 Core modules include:
- Classical Physics 1 (20 credits)
- Introduction to Computational Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Laboratory and Field Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 1 (20 credits)
- Introduction to Mathematical Physics 2 (20 credits)
- Space Science and Applications of Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to Modern Physics (20 credits)
- Mathematical Physics (20 credits)
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (20 credits)
- Waves and Optics (20 credits)
- Computational Physics (20 credits)
- Mechanics and Dynamics (20 credits)
- Practical Laboratory and Field Physics (20 credits)
- Universe: Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies (20 credits)
- Modern Astrophysics 1 (20 credits)
- Physical Cosmology (20 credits)
- Solid State Physics and Detectors (20 credits)
- Group Project (20 credits)
- Health Physics (20 credits)
- Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology (20 credits)
- Introduction to Multiferroic Materials and Their Applications (20 credits)
- Mathematical Methods for Physics (20 credits)
- Nanoscale Surface Physics (20 credits)
- Particle Physics (20 credits)
- Project (20 credits)
- Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information (20 credits)
- Statistical Learning (20 credits)
- Undergraduate Ambassador (20 credits)
Assessment method
Assessment opportunities are varied and balanced between coursework and different types of examination including laboratory reports, individual or group presentations and posters, coursework problem sheets, computer modelling reports and open and closed book examinations.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Physics, Institute of
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
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
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - Not accepted
CLEARING INFORMATION – Our entry requirements may be different during Clearing, so please contact us on 023 9284 8000 to discuss your options.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
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
EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £19200 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP
Clearing contact details
Contact us about ClearingUniversity Admissions Centre - Clearing
023 9284 8000
Additional information
Clearing Hotline opening hours: Thursday 15th August - 08:00 - 20:00 Friday 16th August - 08:00 - 18:00 Saturday 17th August - 10:00 - 14:00 Sunday 18th August - Closed Monday 19th onwards - 09:00 - 17:00 (09:00 - 16:00 on Fridays)