Physics with Astronomy with a Year Abroad

Physics with astronomy brings together the fundamental laws of physics and their most spectacular application: the study of the universe. Astronomy uses physics to understand objects and phenomena on scales that dwarf everyday experience, from stellar evolution and black holes to galaxy formation and the large-scale structure of the cosmos. The two disciplines are inseparable in practice, and students who study them together develop both the rigorous mathematical and experimental skills of the physicist and the conceptual breadth of the astronomer.

At Liverpool, this four-year programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at an international partner university, potentially one with its own observatory or strong astrophysics research group. The main degree covers the core areas of physics, including mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and nuclear physics, alongside the astronomical content of stellar physics, galaxies, cosmology, observational astronomy and space science. You will develop substantial skills in mathematics, computing and data analysis, all of which are central to modern research in both physics and astronomy.

Liverpool has strong research connections in astrophysics and particle physics. The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points.

Graduates move into careers in data science, engineering, finance, scientific computing, research, space industry, defence, energy, science communication and education. Many also pursue postgraduate research in physics, astrophysics, cosmology or related fields, going on to work in university research groups, national facilities such as the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, space agencies or industry research programmes. The analytical and quantitative skills of a physics degree are highly portable, and the astronomical dimension adds a breadth of perspective that many graduates find shapes their entire professional outlook.