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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Astronomy and Physics
University of Glasgow
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Astronomy and Physics course at University of Glasgow.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,B
Most popular A-levels studied
The Astronomy and Physics course at University of Glasgow features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Further Mathematics | A |
| Mathematics | A* |
| Physics | A |
| Computer Science | A |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | A* |
| Physics | A |
| Further Mathematics | B |
| Chemistry | A |
| Computer Science | A |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: FF53
Here's what University of Glasgow says about its Astronomy and Physics course.
In this degree programme the study of physics is particularly focused on astrophysical phenomena: from stars and planets to galaxies and cosmology. Astrophysics provides a natural laboratory in which to explore the laws of physics and, in certain astrophysical objects such as pulsars, quasars and black holes, to test those laws under extreme conditions.
Astronomy lectures are complemented by our observatory, planetarium and telescope facilities where you will learn how modern physics underpins our understanding of the universe.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE YEAR 1 You will gain a basic understanding of the main topics in theoretical physics and be introduced to the methods of experimental physics, acquiring a solid foundation for further study in physics.
Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy are compulsory in year 1.
YEAR 2 You will learn more specialised experimental techniques and expand your knowledge of modern physics research. You will also be introduced to the foundations of astrophysics, covering topics including the physics of our solar system, the origin of stars and galaxies, and the evolution of the universe.
Physics and Mathematics are compulsory in year 2.
YEARS 3, 4 AND 5 If you progress to Honours (years 3 and 4) you will continue to study core topics in greater depth but will also study specialist subjects of your choice in depth and will undertake project work, often within a leading research group.
The main astrophysics components of the Honours programme include: stellar structure & evolution; high-energy astrophysics; galaxies & cosmology; instruments for optical & radio telescopes; and exploring planetary systems. In the final year, all students work on an independent research project embedded in one of the school’s active research groups.
There is an opportunity to take an MSci degree which explores physics and astrophysics topics in greater depth. The MSci aims to foster the development of critical judgement and independent scientific work, and to prepare you for professional leadership in your chosen field.
OUR INTERNATIONAL LINKS You will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities as part of your degree. This won’t add any extra time to your studies.
CAREER PROSPECTS Our graduates are employed in many areas including industry, national research laboratories, financial sector and education. Many graduates choose to study for a postgraduate degree before entering the job market.
ACCREDITATION This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Source: University of Glasgow
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
School of Physics and Astronomy
Location
Gilmorehill (Main) Campus | Glasgow
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Astronomy
• Physics
Start date
14 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Glasgow student reviews
Showing 540 reviews
Graduate
1 year ago
Four stars: Great
Graduate
1 year ago
Four stars: Great
Graduate
1 year ago
Three stars: Good
Graduate
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
Graduate
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
Graduate
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Glasgow
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Astronomy and Physics course at University of Glasgow features content from more than one subject area. Using the options below, you can see ratings from students who took courses in each of these subject areas at this uni
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
83%
low
Teaching on my course
83%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
82%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
90%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
72%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
low
Learning opportunities
75%
low
Learning opportunities
75%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
81%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
83%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
76%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
81%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
54%
low
Assessment and feedback
67%
low
Assessment and feedback
67%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
61%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
75%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
61%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
69%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
68%
low
Academic support
82%
low
Academic support
82%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
84%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
79%
low
Organisation and management
71%
low
Organisation and management
71%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
74%
low
How well organised is your course?
69%
low
Learning resources
90%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
93%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
93%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
83%
low
Student voice
71%
med
Student voice
71%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
60%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
86%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
69%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
80%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
76%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
80%
low
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
84%
med
Teaching on my course
84%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
74%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
88%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
78%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
97%
med
Learning opportunities
74%
low
Learning opportunities
74%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
78%
low
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
87%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
80%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
77%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
51%
low
Assessment and feedback
70%
med
Assessment and feedback
70%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
71%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
76%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
55%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
78%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
71%
med
Academic support
82%
low
Academic support
82%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
82%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
82%
low
Organisation and management
75%
low
Organisation and management
75%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
74%
med
How well organised is your course?
76%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
Learning resources
91%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
91%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
95%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
87%
low
Student voice
72%
low
Student voice
72%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
61%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
88%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
69%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
67%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course.
83%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
79%
med
Student information
The Astronomy and Physics course at University of Glasgow features content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below to find out about the students taking courses in each of those subject areas at this uni.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
The Astronomy and Physics course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Glasgow graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
75%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
90%
In work, study or other activity
50%
Say it fits with future plans
40%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
35%
Information Technology Professionals
10%
Elementary occupations
10%
Engineering professionals
10%
Natural and social science professionals
Graduate statistics
75%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
90%
In work, study or other activity
55%
Say it fits with future plans
50%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
30%
Information Technology Professionals
15%
Elementary occupations
10%
Engineering professionals
10%
Natural and social science professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Glasgow graduates who took Astronomy and Physics - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£25.6k
First year after graduation
£31.4k
Third year after graduation
£39.4k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Astronomy and Physics.
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about University of Glasgow on The Student Room.
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