Master of Physics with Astrophysics (Hons)

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Develop a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of physics, expand your knowledge with flexible options and get involved in our high-level research.

This is our broadest physics degree and gives you the opportunity to explore a wide range of areas in physics, from the nanoscale to the most energetic processes in the Universe.

As well as gaining a deep knowledge and understanding of physics, you’ll graduate with strong experimental, mathematical and computational expertise. You’ll gain powerful problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills, preparing you for careers in physics and many other fields as well.

Apply the full breadth of physics to a wide range of astrophysical phenomena from star formation to black hole growth and the expansion of the Universe.

Physics with Astrophysics at Bath will give you a strong grounding in physics, along with in-depth specialist knowledge of astrophysics. You’ll learn how to combine evidence from stellar and extragalactic astronomy to build consistent theoretical models of the evolution of galaxies.

Topics covered include exoplanets, galaxies, cosmology, stars and stellar evolution, general relativity and high energy astrophysics. There'll also be opportunities for you to carry out both observational and computational astrophysics projects alongside our astrophysics research group.

Learn about the deep connections between mathematics and theoretical physics and develop your scientific computing and theoretical modelling skills to understand and solve complex physical problems.

This course is for you if you want to study a broad physics degree with less emphasis on experimental laboratories and a stronger focus on theoretical, mathematical and computational aspects of physics.

You'll study the cornerstones of theoretical physics while developing your understanding of their mathematical foundations. Our courses reflect our theoretical research expertise in condensed matter, photonics and astrophysics. The computational physics and programming aspects also reflect the more applied nature of our theoretical research.

The combination of theoretical and practical knowledge of physics and mathematics is highly sought-after by employers and also gives an excellent grounding for postgraduate or industrial research.

Placement Year

Apply your skills and knowledge to a year working full-time in a scientific or other professional organisation, anywhere around the world. It is an excellent opportunity to evaluate future career paths and broaden your experience and transferable skills, giving a competitive edge when applying for graduate jobs. 95% of physics students agreed their placement was valuable in helping their learning (National Student Survey 2017).

You can choose from a wide range of roles to match your interests, from working in marketing to a lab-based role at a research institute. We have links with some of the industry’s leading companies and recent employers include BAE Systems, CERN, Dyson, Morgan Stanley, Rolls-Royce and Samsung.

Develop the skills and understanding to tackle the global challenges of poverty, inequality, conflict, sustainability and social justice.

Whether you are a graduate aiming to make a difference in the world, or a professional wishing to deepen your knowledge and critical thinking, our master's courses in International Development, could be for you.

Engaged with current debates in policy and practice and grounded in interdisciplinary social sciences, you will develop the tools and confidence to work towards creative solutions that address practical problems in strategic ways.

Four distinct pathways provide a choice of flexibility and breadth, or the chance to pursue a particular interest in greater depth.

You will use innovative learning approaches to investigate particular cases and issues. These will draw out connections and contradictions between different actors and analytical perspectives, across global, regional, national and local scales.

Gain conceptual, analytical and practical insights into effective operations management. You’ll graduate with the expertise in production and delivery management that employers look for.

This course is for graduates who want to work in the managerial or consulting areas of operations, logistics or supply chain management.

Key benefits

• Accredited by CIPS and CILT. This gives you the chance to enjoy the benefits of CIPS and CILT membership and ensures top quality standards
• Work with clients from day one. With our unique feature, The Practicum, you’ll take on a live consulting project with a client throughout the year. Gain valuable hands-on experience
• Our small, carefully selected class sizes gives you a lot of contact with academics, and more individual coaching.

Combine electronic engineering expertise with advanced knowledge of computer hardware and software skills to develop the computer systems of the future.

Our course prepares you for a career in an advancing field at the interface of engineering and computing. You'll gain in-depth knowledge of modern computer systems, software engineering, computer graphics and embedded programming to become a systems-level expert.

Learning the foundations of electronic, electrical and computer principles gives you a broad understanding of the subject. Later in your degree, you can specialise with a choice of units including embedded electronic systems, computational intelligence or electronic design.

Working with the latest digital technology, you'll design systems such as embedded microprocessors, programmable integrated circuits or high-performance computers. You'll learn how to use industry-standard programming and hardware design languages, operating systems and applications.

Group and individual projects are an important part of your learning experience. They give you technical, business and management skills to solve engineering problems relevant to industry. You could explore areas including computer systems design and integration, or information systems and interfaces.

Our MEng degrees give you an in-depth study experience through advanced taught units and project work and fulfil the educational requirements you need to become a Chartered Engineer.

Explore new and creative ways to tackle key social challenges. Learn theory and methods to understand, critically examine, and influence organisations.

This course will appeal if you want to combine an understanding of the social world from different perspectives with a rigorous analysis of policy responses to social problems. You will examine theory and techniques from sociology alongside the analytical focus of social policy.

You’ll explore areas such as health, welfare and poverty, race and discrimination, inequality and exclusion. You’ll be able to take a range of optional units on topics such as the sociology of death, lobbying, justice and conflict. By the end of the degree you’ll have an understanding of how social institutions develop, operate and how they might be improved.

Placement Year

The placement year will give you valuable practical experience and is an excellent opportunity to try different careers. It enables you to leave university with a strong CV and may set you apart from other graduates entering the job market. You can take placements in commercial, voluntary or government organisations, or in a research setting.

Be part of the robotics revolution. Study a progressive area of engineering to pursue a career in robotics and automation.

Do you aspire to contribute to the future of an expanding industry in engineering? Our course will help you do this by advancing your knowledge of robotics, artificial intelligence and electronics systems at the forefront of engineering and design.

In your first two years, you'll learn core elements of electronic, electrical and mechanical engineering. A you'll combine this with aspects of computer science, giving you a comprehensive overview of robotics engineering. You'll be supported by, and benefit from, academic staff who are advancing research in our Centre for Autonomous Robotics (CENTAUR).

To become a skilled engineer, you need good technical design knowledge. That’s why our course places project work at the centre of your learning experience. Group projects challenge you to work in teams to solve practical engineering problems using communication, teamwork and management skills. You can also join one of our student teams who compete annually. These include Team Bath Racing Electric, Team Bath Drones and the autonomous underwater systems team.

You’ll graduate with a strong understanding of the operation, components and design techniques of robotics engineering. Your studies will prepare you for a career in robotics and automation in areas such as robotic systems design, autonomous systems and medical robotics.

Our MEng degrees give you an in-depth study experience through advanced taught units and project work and fulfil the educational requirements you need to become a Chartered Engineer.

Develop the skills to resolve complex economic issues. Learn economic theories, methods and applications, and become acquainted with chosen specialist areas.

In this course, you’ll study the foundations of economic theory and its applications to real-world problems. You’ll explore the connections between the economy as a whole, its main sectors (such as businesses, the financial sector, government, for example) and the decisions of individuals.

You’ll learn how to apply economic principles and methods to policy issues. You’ll develop your knowledge of institutions to understand how economic decisions and policies are made.

Your first year is concerned with key concepts in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. You’ll further your skills in core mathematics, statistics and data analysis. In Year 2, you’ll build on this through intermediate study of economic theory. The study of econometrics will enable you to estimate and forecast economic relationships. The final year will teach you advanced economic theory. A selection of optional units will enable you to tailor your expertise to your personal interests and career aspirations.

Placement Year

Taking a placement in your third year enables you to use the theory you have learnt in a practical context. You will learn about an organisation and its area of work in the UK or overseas. This is an excellent opportunity to test potential career paths. Sometimes permanent jobs are offered to our students. You’ll develop skills such as teamwork, planning, problem solving, decision making and project management.

Employers value a year of professional work and you’ll gain an advantage in the job market. Sometimes it is possible for you to acquire additional professional qualifications, particularly in accountancy, whilst on placement.

Develop a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of physics, expand your knowledge with flexible options and get involved in our high-level research.

This is our broadest physics degree and gives you the opportunity to explore a wide range of areas in physics, from the nanoscale to the most energetic processes in the Universe.

As well as gaining a deep knowledge and understanding of physics, you’ll graduate with strong experimental, mathematical and computational expertise. You’ll gain powerful problem-solving, analytical and critical thinking skills, preparing you for careers in physics and many other fields as well.

Placement Year

As an MPhys student, you’ll be able to undertake a research placement in the final year of the course. You’ll spend six months (July to December) working in a research organisation of international standing, before returning to the University for the final semester. We have links with leading research organisations, including CERN, NTT Basic Research Laboratories (Japan), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (France) and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Year Abroad

Broaden your horizons by spending a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We currently have links with universities in North America, Australasia, Asia and Europe, including Purdue University, the University of Queensland, National University Singapore and the University of Helsinki.