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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Physics and Astrophysics
University of Sheffield
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Physics and Astrophysics course at University of Sheffield.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,A,B
including Maths and Physics + pass in the practical element of any science A Levels taken
Most popular A-levels studied
The Physics and Astrophysics course at University of Sheffield 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 |
|---|---|
| Physics | B |
| Mathematics | A |
| Chemistry | B |
| Further Mathematics | A |
| Computer Science | B |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Physics | B |
| Mathematics | A |
| Chemistry | B |
| Further Mathematics | A |
| Computer Science | B |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: FF35
Here's what University of Sheffield says about its Physics and Astrophysics course.
Study the matter of our universe and the laws that govern it with our accredited course. Gain fundamental knowledge of physics, and develop the key skills and understandings of astrophysics necessary for a successful career.
This three year accredited BSc Physics and Astrophysics course will give you the skills and knowledge you’ll need for a successful career.
Our Institute of Physics accredited course has more astrophysics content than most. Along with essential physics modules, half of your time will be dedicated to studying astrophysics.
In your first two years, you’ll study fundamental physics theories such as heat, motion and quantum mechanics. You’ll also explore key concepts in astrophysics, including the formation of our solar system, stars and galaxies, and observing the night sky.
You’ll have access to the two telescopes on the roof of our building from your first year. We also run a telescope on La Palma in the Canary Islands, which students can use during our annual field trip and during their final year project.
From the start of your degree, you’ll gain hands-on experience in our specialist teaching lab, developing lab skills and learning how theories can be applied in the real world. You’ll also take part in programming classes, which will teach you skills that are valuable in a variety of graduate careers ranging from data science to computer game design.
In your third year, you’ll continue to study essential concepts in physics and astrophysics in even more detail. You’ll have the opportunity to explore a variety of optional modules on subjects including astrobiology, machine learning, and quantum mechanics and advanced electrodynamics.
You’ll also get the chance to complete a research project and refine your technical skills. You’ll choose from a range of different areas, including astrophysics research, industrial group work, data science, physics education, our Quantum Information Laboratory, or a project working alongside a research group. Through your project, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience, with the opportunity to investigate a real-world problem.
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.
Why study this course?
-
1st in the UK for the quality of physics research - Research Excellence Framework 2021
-
Top 20 in the UK for physics and astronomy - Complete University Guide 2026
-
Institute of Physics (IOP) accredited course - this course is accredited by the IOP for fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist.
-
Build connections and a career - opt to spend a full year on a work placement. Our students have secured placements with a range of organisations, including CERN, Jaguar Land Rover, Sellafield, EDF Energy and the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes.
Source: University of Sheffield
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (Physics)
Location
Main Site | Sheffield
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Astrophysics
• Physics
Start date
28 September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
University of Sheffield student reviews
Showing 1160 reviews
Graduate
1 year ago
I was in my first year of university when the coronavirus pandemic took over. The economics
Graduate
1 year ago
I cannot begin to explain how the University of Sheffield changed my lifeu2026 Having come from a very much working class background in one of the most deprived areas of the country, I wasnu2019t sure what to expect from University. Despite some serious reluctance, I moved into my first year accommo...
Graduate
1 year ago
It can provides a lot of assistance to students. Especially when you feel boring.
Graduate
1 year ago
Good. There are too many uni activities to join in. rn
Graduate
1 year ago
Sheffield is a financial friendly city to students. Uos have lots of scholarship programs.
Graduate
1 year ago
Five stars: Excellent
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Sheffield
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
The Physics and Astrophysics course at University of Sheffield 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
87%
low
Teaching on my course
87%
low
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
91%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
89%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
80%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
89%
low
Learning opportunities
90%
high
Learning opportunities
90%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
94%
high
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
85%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
95%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
90%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
85%
med
Assessment and feedback
82%
med
Assessment and feedback
82%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
81%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
81%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
79%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
82%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
84%
med
Academic support
93%
med
Academic support
93%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
97%
high
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
89%
med
Organisation and management
87%
med
Organisation and management
87%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
90%
high
How well organised is your course?
84%
med
Learning resources
99%
high
Learning resources
99%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
98%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
100%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
98%
high
Student voice
87%
high
Student voice
87%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
75%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
95%
high
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
92%
high
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
87%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
86%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
89%
high
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
83%
med
Teaching on my course
83%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
83%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
75%
low
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
75%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
100%
high
Learning opportunities
87%
med
Learning opportunities
87%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
92%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
75%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
96%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
96%
high
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
75%
med
Assessment and feedback
73%
med
Assessment and feedback
73%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
75%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
75%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
83%
high
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
62%
low
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
71%
med
Academic support
85%
low
Academic support
85%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
96%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
75%
low
Organisation and management
88%
med
Organisation and management
88%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
88%
med
How well organised is your course?
88%
med
Learning resources
100%
high
Learning resources
100%
high
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
100%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
100%
high
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
100%
high
Student voice
82%
med
Student voice
82%
med
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
62%
med
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
96%
high
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
88%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
82%
high
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
81%
low
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
83%
med
Student information
The Physics and Astrophysics course at University of Sheffield 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 Physics and Astrophysics course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Sheffield graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
80%
Say it fits with future plans
50%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Information Technology Professionals
25%
Teaching Professionals
20%
Administrative occupations
10%
Business and public service associate professionals
Graduate statistics
65%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
75%
In work, study or other activity
75%
Say it fits with future plans
45%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Information Technology Professionals
20%
Teaching Professionals
15%
Administrative occupations
15%
Business and public service associate professionals
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Sheffield graduates who took Physics and Astrophysics - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£26.6k
First year after graduation
£32.5k
Third year after graduation
£43.4k
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 Physics and Astrophysics.
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 Sheffield on The Student Room.
University of Sheffield open days
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Before you do, it's a good idea to go to an open day. You can have a good look around campus, getting a better idea of what it's like to study there. You'll meet current students and staff and get the chance to ask them questions.
Universities will list upcoming open days on their websites. Most will also have virtual open days; these are a great alternative if you really can't get there in person. For tips on preparing for open days, check the advice section here on The Uni Guide.
