Key information
- Duration:
- 4 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- AAA
View full entry requirements - UCAS code:
- F501
- Start date:
- September 2025
- 7th in the UK for our research environment in Physics in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
- Top 20 in the UK for Physics
This integrated Masters course is perfect if you want to develop your skills in physics to gain a deeper understanding of the Universe. It’s particularly relevant if you’re interested in a career in research or industry.
You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside faculty who are at the forefront of astrophysics. Their work involves observing the electromagnetic signals from distant sources outside the Milky Way, all the way back to the light echo from the Big Bang. They do this using the largest available x-ray, optical, infrared, microwave and radio telescopes. Their collaborations include the James Webb Space Telescope, ESA’s Euclid mission, the Simons Observatory and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument.
This world-leading research directly influences your teaching. You’ll join a friendly close-knit community. Class sizes are small and our lectures operate an open-door policy, so you’ll always find help if you need it. You’ll have the opportunity to study a wide range of topics including:
- stellar and planetary physics
- galactic astrophysics
- cosmology
- general relativity.
From sustainability to economics and modern languages, you take electives from other subjects to open your mind to other disciplines and tailor your degree to your interests. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a year-long project that will take you to the frontiers of modern research. You can choose from an array of projects.
Transferable skills gained include programming with Python, statistical analysis and advanced research skills. When you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to pursue a range of careers in academic research, data science, finance and programming.
Accreditation
- Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We鈥檒l make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we鈥檒l let you know as soon as possible.
The degree has inspired me to be a researcher one day. We are pushed to think independently, to come up with additional analysis in the lab. This can be quite challenging but also really rewarding. ”Elvira Castello
Astrophysics MPhys
Course content
This is a single-honours course, allowing you to focus in depth on your core subject.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
Your degree
In your first year, you’ll explore classical and modern physics. You’ll learn to work with large sets of data, study the mathematics needed to formulate physical laws and make predictions from them, and get to experiment in our teaching laboratories. You’ll also begin to explore topics in astrophysics and astronomy.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include:
60%: Lecture
40%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include:
40%: Coursework
60%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 420 hours of contact time and about 780 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Foundations of Data Analysis
- Introduction to Astrophysics
- Mathematical Methods for Physics 1
- Mechanics
- Physics Study Success
Spring teaching
- Heat and Modern Physics
- Mathematical Methods for Physics 2
- Physics Year 1 Laboratory
- Waves and Fields
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Your degree
In Year 2, you’ll use your developing problem-solving skills to solve more complex issues. You’ll will work on laboratory experiments or data analysis projects.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include:
50%: Lecture
20%: Seminar
30%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include:
40%: Coursework
60%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 320 hours of contact time and about 880 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Electrodynamics
- Mathematical Methods for Physics 3
- Physics Year 2 Laboratory
Spring teaching
- Applying Physics Skills
- Galaxies and the Cosmos
- Quantum Mechanics 1
- Thermal and Statistical Physics
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- Scientific Computing
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Study abroad (optional)
Apply to study abroad – you’ll develop an international perspective and gain an edge when it comes to your career.
If your application to study abroad is successful, you’ll have to meet the academic requirements at Sussex and also at the partner university. Find out more about studying abroad as a Sussex student
Placement (optional)
To help you gain experience and increase your employability, you can apply for an optional placement as part of your course. You鈥檒l be responsible for applying for and securing your placement. Our dedicated careers team can provide you with information and advice. If you鈥檙e successful in obtaining a placement, this will form part of your course.
Find out more about placements and internships
Recent Mathematical and Physical Sciences students have gone on placements at:
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd
- NATS Holdings
- HEFCE.
SEPnet Employer Programme
We are a core part of the consortium, which gives us links to universities and industries across the region. SEPnet’s Employer Programme creates opportunities for our students to apply for eight-week funded summer placements.
My placement not only allowed me to dive into a very specific area of astrophysics, but it also led to me carry on that research for my Master of Physics project.”William Hunter
Astrophysics MPhys
Research placement at the Royal Astronomical Society
Please note that if you鈥檙e receiving 鈥 or applying for 鈥 USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can鈥檛 transfer to the version of your course with an optional study abroad period in any country or optional placement in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
Your degree
In Year 3, you’ll apply the knowledge you’ve gained to longer and more complex projects. You’ll cement your core physics knowledge with solid state, atomic and nuclear physics, and also take forward your own interests.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include:
59%: Lecture
9%: Seminar
32%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include:
40%: Coursework
60%: Examination
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 420 hours of contact time and about 780 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Advanced Physics Laboratory A
- Atomic Physics
- Condensed State Physics
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
Spring teaching
- Advanced Physics Laboratory B
- Quantum Mechanics 2
- Stellar and Planetary Physics
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Spring teaching
- Advanced Condensed State Physics
- Lasers and Photonics
- Monte Carlo Simulations
- Particle Physics
- Researching STEM
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Your degree
In your integrated Masters year, you’ll work at the forefront of research. You’ll take the lead on a self-directed project, supported by a supervisor. You’ll also choose options relevant to your project to support you in the discovery process.
Teaching
Teaching methods typically include:
52%: Lecture
48%: Practical
Assessment
Assessment methods typically include:
15%: Coursework
60%: Examination
13%: Practical
12%: Written assessment
Contact hours and workload
This year of study includes approximately 1,200 hours of work. This breaks down into about 300 hours of contact time and about 900 hours of independent study.
Engage and actively participate throughout your studies to get the most out of your course.
Your modules
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
- Cosmology
Autumn and spring teaching
- MPhys Final-Year Project
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- Atom Light Interactions
- Data Analysis Techniques
- Galactic Astrophysics
- General Relativity
- Quantum Field Theory
- Quantum Optics and Quantum Information
- Symmetry and the Standard Model
Spring teaching
- Advanced Cosmology
- Advanced Quantum Field Theory
- Astrophysical Processes
- Beyond the Standard Model
- Electrons, Cold Atoms and Quantum Circuits
- Introduction to Nano-materials and Nano-characterisation
- Monte Carlo Simulations
- Particle Physics Detector Technology
- Practical Quantum Technologies
We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.
Check back in January 2025 for more module details.
Find out more about studying Physics at Sussex, including astrophysics, theoretical physics and particle physics
Silver
The student experience and student outcomes are typically very high quality.
This rating was awarded in 2023, for four years.
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Find out more about our approach to teaching and supporting you to thrive
Our staff
I try to understand how the first stars and galaxies formed in the early universe. To do this I use both observations, mostly taken from the Hubble Space Telescope, and super-computer simulations.”Dr Stephen Wilkins
Senior Lecturer in Astronomy
Prof Stephen Wilkins
Professor of Astronomy and Public Understanding of Science
Careers
We are a core part of the consortium, which gives us links to universities and industries across the region.
On your course, you’ll develop versatile and transferable skills. This prepares you for finding jobs in industry or academia. Many of our graduates go on to postgraduate research and PhD study. Others find graduate jobs in a diverse range of fields, including:
-
aerospace
-
consulting
-
geophysics
-
teaching
-
the scientific Civil Service.
Graduate destinations
Recent Physics and Astronomy graduates have started their careers as:
- SAP applications consultant at Capgemini
- geophysicist at CGG
- graduate diagnostic physicist at Diamond Light Source.
Some of our graduates have also gone on to study for a postgraduate qualification (for example a PhD, MSc or PGCE).
(Department of Physics and Astronomy careers database)
Working while you study
Our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Design your future at Sussex
Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we鈥檒l help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.
As a Sussex student, you鈥檒l learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:
- our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
- one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
- entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.
Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you
Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
A-level - contextual offer
BBB - including grade B in Mathematics
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels - contextual offer
Grades BC in A-levels plus Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate.