Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)
Cardiff University
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.3) View reviews

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Different course options
4 options available
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Qualification

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

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Location

Main Site - Cardiff

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

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

Location

Main Site - Cardiff

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECTED

Qualification

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

Location

Cathays Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Qualification

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

Location

Cathays Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP

Duration

3 Years

SELECT

Qualification

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

Location

Cathays Park Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-26

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Physics & Astronomy
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A level
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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T Level
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Location

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England
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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EU
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Course info

**Join a top 10 university for physics in the UK (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2024) in the vibrant, welcoming capital city of Wales.**Study a Physics with Astronomy degree and you will investigate the science behind the development of the Universe – from how it began to astronomical events that we are now discovering for the first time.At Cardiff University, we are home to one of the largest astronomy groups in the UK and have led many new discoveries, from the detection of gravitational ...Read more


Join a top 10 university for physics in the UK (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2024) in the vibrant, welcoming capital city of Wales.

Study a Physics with Astronomy degree and you will investigate the science behind the development of the Universe – from how it began to astronomical events that we are now discovering for the first time.At Cardiff University, we are home to one of the largest astronomy groups in the UK and have led many new discoveries, from the detection of gravitational waves to the first images of black holes. You’ll be taught by staff whose research is leading to these discoveries, gaining both the fundamental skills in physics for a wide range of careers, and the more specific knowledge needed to become a professional astronomer or astrophysicist. An ideal grounding for a career as an astronomer, this degree also prepares you for a range of careers from data analysis and technology to finance and education. In year one, you’ll take core modules to lay the foundations of your physics, mathematics and computing knowledge, while gaining the confidence to design and conduct experiments in the laboratory.As you progress through the degree, you can choose optional modules along with your core modules to further your understanding and knowledge of both physics and astronomy in fascinating areas such as:- the physical properties of the Earth and the observation and exploration of the planets and moons in other solar systems;- observational techniques in astronomy;- an understanding of quantum mechanics and nuclear physics;- the formation and evolution of stars;- solving unseen problems in astrophysics;- the Big Bang and contemporary cosmology;- the formation and evolution of galaxies.As part of the observational techniques module, you’ll carry out a project using real data from the Las Cumbres Observatory, which uses a range of robotic telescopes around the world working as a single network.In the final year of your BSc, you’ll also undertake an astrophysics research project with one of our top researchers. If you’re interested in learning about astronomy but not sure if you want to commit to a degree in astrophysics, this course is for you.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
22/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
21st
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
27th
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 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Astronomy graduate salary at this uni
£22,000
UK Astronomy graduate salary
£19,000
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 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
87%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Physics graduate salary at this uni
£25,000
UK Physics graduate salary
£24,000
What students say
E
Edward
23 Feb 24

The student support services are very good and all located within the new SU building...Read more

L
Lily
31 Jan 24

I love being within a city to study, it gives you more freedom and options of places to work. The physics student support could be better however the students union is very good..Read more

Modules

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

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBB - AAB Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

A Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 - 31 Grades / Points required

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

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

T Level:

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

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

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

To include Maths and Physics. Applicants taking Maths without Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade A in Maths. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.

For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be "AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ". Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.

34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. To include HL Maths and HL Physics. Applicants taking HL Maths without HL Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade 6 in HL Maths.

DD-DM in a BTEC Diploma in science and engineering subjects and grade A in Maths A-Level or D in any BTEC subject and grades BB in Maths and Physics A-Level.

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Popular A-level subjects

Physics

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

Mathematics
94%
Physics
88%
Chemistry
33%
Biology
18%
Further Mathematics
17%
HESA
Astronomy

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

Physics
100%
Mathematics
100%
Chemistry
28%
Further Mathematics
17%
Biology
13%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£9,000 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.

£28,200 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 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.

£28,200 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.

£28200 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Astronomy reviews

Astronomy
Astronomy
Physics (General)
E
Edward
23 Feb 24
Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)
The student support services are very good and all located within the new SU building....
Read more
L
Lily
31 Jan 24
Physics with Astronomy BSc (Hons)
I love being within a city to study, it gives you more freedom and options of places to work. The physics student support could be better however the students union is very good...
Read more
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Uni info

Cardiff University
30-36 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 0DE United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Cardiff Queen Street  0.1 miles away
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