Astrophysics

Astrophysics addresses the grandest questions of natural science: how did the universe begin, how do stars form and die, what is dark matter, how do galaxies evolve, and is there life elsewhere in the cosmos? It applies the laws of physics, developed through centuries of experiment and theory, to the extraordinary phenomena observed in the universe, from the nuclear reactions in stellar cores to the warping of space-time around black holes. The curiosity that leads students to astrophysics, whether about the Higgs particle, dark matter, nanotechnology, or simply how things really work, is the same curiosity that drives scientific progress.

At Royal Holloway this four-year, full-time programme develops your understanding of astrophysics within a physics department that aims to inform and excite you in the study of the most fundamental of the sciences. You will build from core physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics, through to the specific methods and findings of astrophysics: stellar physics, cosmology, galaxy formation, observational techniques, and the physical modelling of astronomical systems. A sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities are all available, giving you professional or international experience alongside your academic formation.

Graduates of astrophysics go on to careers in research, the space sector, data science, technology, education, and a wide range of other fields where the quantitative and analytical skills the degree develops are valued. Many continue to postgraduate study, pursuing Masters or doctoral degrees in astrophysics, cosmology, space science, or adjacent fields such as computational physics or planetary science. Others move into the growing commercial space sector, working for satellite companies, space agencies, or the many technology businesses that depend on space-derived data.

The mathematical rigour of the degree also makes graduates competitive in finance, data science, and engineering, and many astrophysics graduates find that their training opens doors well beyond the astronomy community.