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Astrophysics and Chemistry - BSc (Hons)

Year of entry: 2022
Course type: Combined Honours
Duration of study: 3 years/ 4 years with International Year

Location: Keele University campus
Subject area / School: School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
UCAS code: FF15

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Course overview

Through Keele's innovative combined honours programmes you have the opportunity to study Chemistry alongside Astrophysics. In Astrophysics, you will learn to formulate and tackle problems – from below the level of the atomic nucleus to astronomical scales. In Chemistry you’ll exlpore a solid foundation of theory and practical skills, building to cover advanced concepts and contemporary issues in chemistry in later years.

Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.

Your Name

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

Please provide a contact telephone number *

Country of Residence

Year of Entry

Please Select a Course

Are you interested in a Foundation Year

YesNo

Please enter your question below:

Your Preferences

Please keep me informed using email

YesNo

Please keep me informed using phone

YesNo

Please keep me informed using messages/texts

YesNo

What we’re going to do with your data and why?

We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

How long are we keeping it?

We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

Unsubscribe

What to do if I change my mind?

No. 1

For Student Satisfaction for Chemistry National Student Survey 2019

Accredited

By the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics

Top 20

For Student Satisfaction for Physics and Astrophysics (National Student Survey, 2019)

Student testimonials

Claudia Hill, Physics with Chemistry (2016)

"I am currently in training to become a state-registered clinical scientist specialising in radiotherapy." - read more about Claudia Hill, Physics with Chemistry (2016)

Emily Sage, Astrophysics with Mathematics (2012)

"I also have to draw on the analytical skills developed through my degree at Keele as I have to analyse trial data in order to produce technical reports." - read more about Emily Sage, Astrophysics with Mathematics (2012)

David McGhee, Astrophysics with Business Management (2015)

"The ability to solve problems and analyse data in a high-pressure environment is essential. No work day is ever the same and good analytical skills are required to identify problems and trends quickly. Computer programming is a vital tool for this." - read more about David McGhee, Astrophysics with Business Management (2015)

Course content

Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. Keele will help you to use astronomical observations, mathematical models and computer simulation to develop theories explaining some of the most complex phenomena. You’ll develop your mathematics and computing skills, and apply them to solving a range of problems in the laboratory and beyond (you’ll have access to Keele’s own on-site observatory). We are committed to supporting you throughout your studies, providing you flexible access to our staff to seek advice or feedback.

You will learn to use chemistry in problem solving and to present your theories and findings confidently and imaginatively. You may also have the opportunity to tailor your studies to reflect your interests, and learn how to pursue your own research, as well as gain experience with scientific instruments and techniques. Chemistry teaching is likely to take place in the Central Science Laboratories and you may gain experience using industry standard equipment and instrumentation.

This combined course is accredited by the Institute of Physics.

If you chose to specialise in Chemistry in the final year of your course and graduate with a Chemistry with Astrophysics BSc, your degree will be accredited by The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Astrophysics can also be studied in the following combinations:

Chemistry can also be studied as a Combined Honours degree in the following combinations:

You may also be interested in:

Variations to 2020/21 courses

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement BBC
A Level Chemistry and Physics or Maths at grade B. If Maths is presented without A Level Physics, please contact Admissions.
A Pass in the Chemistry Science Practical is required.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language or English Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DMM
You must have taken sufficient Maths, Physics and Chemistry units, please contact us for advice

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

International Baccalaureate

29 points to include Higher Level Physics at 6 or above or Higher Level Maths at 6 or above plus Higher Level Physics at 4 or above AND Higher Level Chemistry at 6

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction, to include sufficient Maths/Physics and Chemistry units, please contact us for advice.

PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Foundation year

Foundation Year Overview

If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry onto the BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Chemistry course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.

Read on to find out about:

Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
Foundation Year entry requirements
How to apply
UCAS code for this course

The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

The Keele Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Chemistry degree. For example, the Foundations of Physics module will introduce you to the mathematical skills needed to solve problems in physics at level 3 while studying fundamental equations and concepts in classical physics. In addition, the Advancing Chemsitry module aims to increase your knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts of chemistry in a theoretical context, while also demonstrating the application of concepts in a practical environment. All of the modules you take will prove useful in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.

Course Structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester One Modules

FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits
FYO-00215	Foundations of Mathematical Methods	15 credits
FYO-00189	Foundations of Chemistry	15 credits
FYO-00205	Foundations of Physics	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00209	Advancing Physics	15 credits
FYO-00231	Advancing Mathematical Methods	15 credits
FYO-00191	Advancing Chemistry	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

How to Apply

Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Astrophysics with Foundation Year (UCAS code: F513) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will then be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.

Direct Entry Students

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

International Entry

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course may have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year stand alone programme.

Please visit the International Foundation Year pages for information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

Much of modern scientific research occurs at the boundary of different scientific disciplines and therefore graduates with a fundamental knowledge in both disciplines, can have a particular advantage when moving into careers requiring knowledge of both subject areas.

An Astrophysics degree from Keele will prepare you for many different careers, which need not be directly related to astrophysics. You could take up all sorts of roles in industry, management, and public services, including teaching, health and finance. Many employers recognise that the versatility and flexibility of astrophysics means that graduates possess a wide range of very valuable skills, from independent and critical thinking to the solving of sophisticated problems.

From your study of chemistry, you might work in industry, research or education; you could choose to become a chemical engineer, research scientist, toxicologist, patent lawyer, analytical chemist or technical writer. Many students go on to higher study after a first degree in chemistry, allowing them to specialise in an area of interest such as analytical, forensic, synthetic or materials chemistry and eventually work in a wide range of other specialist roles.

Previous employers

Edmundson Electrical
Vitalograph Ltd
Bet365
Vision Express
Pharmaron UK Ltd
Johnson Matthey
GSQ
Endeavour Speciality Chemicals Ltd
NHS
Education First
Halifax
IBM
United Utilities

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

Research Scientist
Geophysicist
Science Teacher
HE Lecturer
Medical Physicist
Operational Researcher
Software Engineer
Radiation Practitioner
Clinical Biochemist
Forensic Scientist
Toxicologist
Clinical Research Associate
Analytical Chemist
Chemical Engineer
Pharmacologist

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.