Astrophysics and Mathematics

Astrophysics and Mathematics - BSc (Hons)

Analyse the nature of the Universe and model physical systems with differential equations. Our Astrophysics and Mathematics BSc will arm you with the transferable knowledge and skills to follow a variety of career paths.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2022 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Chemical and Physical Sciences School of Computing and Mathematics

UCAS code

FG51

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Enquire about this course Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Astrophysics and Mathematics at Keele University?

Top 10 in England for Mathematics (National Student Survey, 2021)

Professional accreditation pathway available in Astrophysics

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL)

Opportunities to study abroad and spend a year in industry

Course overview

Studying a combined honours in astrophysics and mathematics will provide you with a breadth of knowledge and a wide range of skills across two fascinating and deeply interconnected subject areas.

In astrophysics you will apply physics to understanding how the universe works and potentially explore questions like 'Is there an Earth-like planet around another star?' 'Is there a black hole at the centre of every galaxy?' And 'Why is the expansion of the Universe accelerating?' These are questions that astrophysics helps you discover the answer to.

Mathematics can be related to almost every aspect of the world we live in and the universe beyond. Mathematics is the language we use to describe the various physical concepts you will encounter.

Astrophysics will give you the quantitative and analytic skills needed for analysing data and solving problems and is underpinned by a core physics curriculum as set out by the Institute of Physics. This includes the fundamentals of classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, solid state, atomic and nuclear physics, together with the mathematics that is used to describe them. We have our own observatory here at Keele that students on this combined honours programme can get involved with on a volunteer basis with the potential to learn some astronomical techniques.

As you progress, you will build on your existing knowledge in familiar core areas of astrophysics including mechanics, special relativity, nature of matter, gravitation, electricity, oscillations, waves. You will also focus on areas like the basics of stellar structure and stellar astrophysics. Later in your degree you will study electromagnetism at a deeper level, and have the option of studying cosmology, binary stellar systems and exoplanets, black holes and gravitational waves in different modules.

The mathematics modules on the programme will carefully explore the core areas of mathematics, including calculus, algebra, probability and analysis. We will train you to think logically, construct rigorous proofs, introduce useful mathematical structures and think in abstract terms.

As you advance through the course you will explore pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. To help develop the skills employers are looking for, you will also learn the programming language Python and understand how mathematics is used in a professional environment. You will also be able to choose to apply your mathematical skills, problem solving prowess and logical thinking to fascinating advanced topics like fluid mechanics, mathematical biology, cryptography and financial mathematics.

You will also have the opportunity to align your Astrophysics and Mathematics BSc to your career aspirations and interests by choosing from a variety of optional modules in your final year.

Mathematics teaching related module

If you are interested in entering the teaching profession after graduation, our 'Introduction to Mathematics Teaching' third-year module will provide you with the principles of the teaching of mathematics linked to current educational practice (includes time spent in school on work placement - subject to availability

Gain work experience

We understand the importance of producing graduates ready for the workplace or further study and therefore we offer the opportunity for you to spend a year working in industry. Work experience in your area of interest will not only demonstrate your commitment and passion, but will also enable you to make meaningful connections by networking with experts in the field. Please note our work placement year is only available in a mathematical related industry setting.

Student support

We offer a multi layered student support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. This includes regular tutorials, access to a dedicated academic mentor and the guidance of Keele's dedicated Student Experience and Support team. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters related to your course.

International year

In between years two and three of your studies you will have the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad with a wide variety of partner institutions. Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to experience and appreciate different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It demonstrates your ability to embrace new experiences and enables you to immerse yourself in another culture whilst developing your independence and cultural awareness.

Societies

We have a wealth of student-led societies at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to astrophysics or mathematics is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for mathematics and/or astrophysics and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to make friends and share interests with fellow students.

Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

As a university and as the School of Computing and Mathematics, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. This means we aim to create a diverse and inclusive culture in which you can thrive. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda is embedded throughout our programme, and The School of Computing and Mathematics are proud to hold a School-level Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition for activities in this area.

Next Steps

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Accreditation and professional recognition

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics, unless you specialise in Mathematics in your final year, in which case there is no accreditation available.

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Placement year International year Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

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 and International students.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement ACC
A level Maths at grade A and Physics at grade C or above. If Maths is presented without A Level Physics, please contact Admissions.

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 and Physics 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 5 and Maths at 6

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. Must have taken sufficient Physics and Maths related units.

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.

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.

Next Steps

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"As a Fraud Analyst, I use the skills I developed as an astrophysics undergraduate to identify and solve complex problems"

David, Astrophysics with Business Management

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Your future career

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

Our Astrophysics and Mathematics degree will equip you with a diverse range of transferrable skills in advanced problem-solving, numeracy, computation, analytical, communication, data analysis and data interpretation. These abilities open up a wide variety of science-related career opportunities and are highly valued by employers. Thanks to the growing importance placed on technology and big data by all kinds of organisations, skills in mathematics are increasingly in demand.

Astrophysics will arm you with the skills to pursue a variety of careers including:

Scientist
Engineer
Physicist
Academic researcher
Astronomer
Secondary school teacher

Please note you may need to take further postgraduate study to enter some of the professions listed above. Key areas of employment you could utilise the mathematical skills you've gained on the course include:

Banking and finance
Business consulting and management
Climatology
Education
Engineering
IT and computing
Local and central government
Pharmaceutics
Space science and astronomy
Teaching and research

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

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

Next Steps

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"The modules interested me and helped to develop a skill-set, which would get me ready for a life of work and give me a head-start in my career. The programme of study became more specialised each year as well as the selection of modules, which allowed me to pick modules that I had particular interest in."

Nadeem, Economics and Mathematics

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching in Astrophysics

The student voice is at the heart of our teaching and we regularly seek student feedback on our programmes and make improvements through meetings with student representatives and by asking students to provide anonymous feedback on module content.

In addition to our variety of teaching methods, great emphasis is placed on teaching in smaller groups and collaborative working. This is supported by a diverse mixture of digital learning materials that are available on our Keele Learning Environment (KLE) and the assistance of PhD student demonstrators during practical sessions.

Our teaching focuses on problem solving. This occurs in problem classes where practice problems are solved with staff and postgraduate research students, acting as graduate teaching assistants are available to help; in laboratory teaching where practical and computational problems are addressed; and in directed work for assessment.

Methods of teaching include:

Lectures
Tutorials
Laboratory classes
Computational laboratory classes
Exercise/problem-solving classes
Individual progress interviews
Problem sheet assignments
Group and individual projects
Directed reading and independent study
Literature research tasks
Use of e-learning/the Keele Learning Environment (KLE)

Assessments in Astrophysics

The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme at Keele reflects the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree programme. Teaching staff pay particular attention to specifying clear assessment criteria and providing timely, regular and constructive feedback that helps to clarify things you did not understand and helps you to improve your performance.

Methods of assessment include:

End of module examinations
Assessed problem sheets
Laboratory and project reports
Observation of laboratory skills and laboratory notebooks
Oral and/or poster presentations
In-class exercises and tests
Group oral presentations and reports
Engagement with problem classes
Dissertation
Mini-projects

Teaching in Mathematics

We embrace online resources to supplement in-person sessions. By utilising gapped notes as a learning tool, you will benefit from seeing live input on calculations and interactive problem-solving in real-time. A large proportion of our academic experts are active in research. In additional to this, several staff members are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. Learning and teaching methods used on the programme vary according to the subject matter and level of the module.

Teaching methods include:

computer laboratory sessions
flipped classes
group work
online polling and quizzes
peer learning

Assessments in Mathematics

The wide variety of assessment methods used on this programme reflect the broad range of knowledge and skills that are developed as you progress through the degree programme. Teaching staff pay particular attention to specifying clear assessment criteria and providing timely, regular and constructive feedback.

Assessment methods include:

class tests
coursework
dissertations
project reports
short reports
unseen examinations
video and oral presentations

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Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

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 undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

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 is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Mathematics degree. For example, the Foundations of Physics module introduces you to the mathematical skills needed to solve problems in physics at level 3 while studying fundamental equations and concepts in classical physics. Your studies will be focused mainly on the key strands in mechanics, including, energy, forces, accelerated motion, moments and gravity. In addition, the Foundations of Mathematical Methods module will develop your understanding of the fundamental mathematical techniques and methods used across a wide range of applied mathematics, as well as in other areas of pure mathematics. 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-00217	Foundations of Mathematical Methods	30 credits
FYO-00205	Foundations of Physics	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00207	Advancing Physics	30 credits
FYO-00229	Advancing Mathematical Methods	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.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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