Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology BSc (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
Student rating
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( 4.2) View reviews

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

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Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site

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Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Physics & Astronomy
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Course info

**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 youve started your course.**Overview**95% of the universe exists in a form we still dont understand. Explore stars, galaxies, black holes and gravitational waves ...Read more


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


Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Institute of Physics (IoP).As a supporter of the Institute of Physics Project Juno, we're committed to addressing the under-representation of women in physics and gender equality in higher education and research.


Careers and opportunities

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
48/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
35th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
49th
Astronomy
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Physics
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 85 = 15% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
15%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Physics graduate salary at this uni
£24,000
UK Physics graduate salary
£25,000
What students say
D
Dan
12 Nov 23

+ Lots of support for students with special needs in place - Occasionally email responses to questions may be irrelevant and therefore question needs to be asked ..Read more

N
Nathan
08 Nov 23

The best aspect of uni is definitely the freedom I've had since living alone. It's a fun new challenge and gives me lots more time for myself. As somebody who find talking to new..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBC - BBB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

UCAS Tariff:

112 - 120 Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

29 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H3,H3,H3,H3,H4 - H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM - DMM Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, with 32 points from a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics).

112-120 Tariff points, to include an Advanced Higher in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics) at grade D.

112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, with 32 points from a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics).

112-122 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject.

Cambridge Pre-U score of 54-56, to include a Principal subject in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics) at M3.

29 points from the IB Diploma. 655/754 at Higher Level, including 5 points from a Higher Level in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics). - 29 points from the IB Diploma. 664 at Higher Level, including 5 points from a Higher Level in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics).

To include a Higher Level at H3 in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics).

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.

Must be in a relevant subject.

112-120 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 2 A levels one of which must be 32 points in a relevant subject (Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Statistics, Electronics), plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Popular A-level subjects

Physics

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Physics
97%
Mathematics
86%
Chemistry
30%
Further Mathematics
11%
Computing
8%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£19,200 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£19200 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Astrophysics reviews

Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Physics (General)
Cosmology
D
Dan
12 Nov 23
Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology BSc (Hons)
+ Lots of support for students with special needs in place - Occasionally email responses to questions may be irrelevant and therefore question needs to be asked ...
Read more
N
Nathan
08 Nov 23
Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology BSc (Hons)
The best aspect of uni is definitely the freedom I've had since living alone. It's a fun new challenge and gives me lots more time for myself. As somebody who find talking to new...
Read more
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Uni info

University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located in the centre of the UK’s only island city....

Student rating
( 4.2) View reviews
CUG ranking
49th
University of Portsmouth
University House Winston Churchill Avenue Portsmouth PO1 2UP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Portsmouth & Southsea  0.1 miles away

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