Study our fascinating solar system, exploring topics including dark matter and black holes on the Physics with Astrophysics MPhys (Hons) course

For those with high career aspirations, this Integrated Masters course can give you an extra edge in today’s competitive job market. It will allow you to explore your subject in greater depth, with a specialised final year that leads to a Master of Physics qualification.

Choosing Physics with Astrophysics at Northumbria can open up your career possibilities.

The UK space sector is growing. Graduates in Physics with Astrophysics have never been more in demand, and at Northumbria you will be learning from the best, in world class learning environments with the aid of the best technology.

Research strengths of our staff include astro-particle physics and solar physics, as well as quantum devices, smart and nano materials, soft matter, chaos theory and dynamical systems. This breadth provides an opportunity to customise your degree in the final year – focusing on what matters to you most.

How will I be taught on Northumbria University’s Physics with Astrophysics MPhys (Hons)?

Physics with Astrophysics students at Northumbria are taught through a wide range of methods, including directed learning, laboratory experiments and self-directed research. There is a strong emphasis on problem solving, ranging from laboratory sessions and seminars to develop solutions to ideal problems, to applying computational techniques to multi-variable constrained problems.

You will be exposed to and encouraged to use the latest technology, through dedicated facilities, to study and understand complex physical concepts.

How will the course be assessed?

Our assessment philosophy is to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and application in a variety of ways and settings including laboratory experiments, presentations, assignments, exams, reports and project work.

For Physics with Astrophysics MPhys students Year 4 modules will introduce students to advanced and topical problems in Astrophysics. Through the Research Physics Project, students will apply their specialist knowledge and skills within an astrophysics-based, open-ended, research project.

Who teaches the MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics course?

With a large number of staff linked to our MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics programme, each with their own specialist areas of interest, you will learn from some truly inspiring experts. If you choose Physics with Astrophysics at Northumbria, you will engage with world-leading Astrophysicists including a Royal Astronomical Society award winner, and a former NASA researcher.

Whether you are interested in magnetohydrodynamcs or solar-terrestrial plasma physics, our staff are not only teaching their specialist subjects but also writing textbooks and adding new knowledge and perspectives to our understanding of the world and the universe around us.

View all staff profiles.

What Physics and Astrophysics facilities are available at Northumbria University?

Northumbria has recently invested more than one million pounds into Physics facilities, meaning our students have access to the state-of-the-art learning environments.

The Smart Materials and Surfaces Lab supports research into many specialist fields including super-water repellent surfaces and microfluidics. The Microwave Technology Lab is at the centre of exciting research into breast cancer detection and security screening for concealed weapons. The New and Renewable Energy Lab is closely connected to future-changing research into wind power, photovoltaics and electric vehicle battery testing.

Technology Enhanced Learning is core to the Physics with Astrophysics course. You’ll undertake online tests and self-guided exercises, which have a positive impact on students as they enable independent work and develop innovative thinking.

How is Physics and Astrophysics research applied to teaching throughout my Integrated Masters?

At Northumbria your learning will be enhanced through one-to-one contact with the Physics department staff.  Key research interests of staff include:

• Solar Physics, including magnetohydrodynamics, high-energy physics and mathematical modelling
• Communications systems including compressive sensing and chaotic synchronisation
• Condensed matter, including quantum dots, photovoltaics and high-speed LEDs
• Soft and biological matter, including smart materials, surfaces and biofluids

Physics and Astrophysics research is fundamental to the University’s distinctive learning experience. At Northumbria you will be surrounded by research opportunities and actively encouraged to contribute to developing new knowledge.

Wherever possible, research at the frontiers of physics and astrophysics enters lecture and seminars, through simulations and reports on recent scientific enquiry.

How will my MPhys (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics degree provide me with the skills needed for my career?

From the first day of your Physics with Astrophysics MPhys to the last, you will be empowered to take responsibility for and develop your own learning. This experience will equip you with a valuable range of transferable skills from the analytical to the practical and interpersonal.

Our industry partners tell us they value highly the analytical skills of Northumbria Physics and Astrophysics students such as estimation, quantitative modelling and statistical analysis, and these skills can be deployed across a wide range of disciplines in addition to research, such as healthcare, energy, electronics and finance.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have a strong employability potential as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include the ability to think creatively while at the same time applying rigorous structure to solve complex problems. The integration of a Masters award will provide additional weight to your profile, and a crucial boost to the launch of your career.