Course name
University name or location
Topic or category
Find a course
Search, shortlist and compare thousands of courses to find that perfect one.
Where to study
See what makes a university special and discover where you belong.
Find a university
Search by name or city.
Get Advice
Get tips, tricks and wise words from students and experts at each stage.
Browse advice
A-level choices
Accounting personal statement examples
Law degree
Revision help
Oxbridge applications
Ucas application
Student life
Student finance
Browse all advice
Popular right now
A-level results day 2026: what to expect
Btec results day 2026: what to expect
Clearing and results day 2025: prepare your back-up plan
Clearing 2025: four things you might not know about Clearing and results day
Finding accommodation after getting a university place in Clearing 2025
A guide to Ucas Clearing 2025: how to find your university place
Clearing 2025: how to call universities
What happens if you miss the grades for your university offer?
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Physics and Astronomy (with a foundation year)
University of Sussex
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Physics and Astronomy (with a foundation year) course at University of Sussex.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
C,C,C
A-levels should normally include both Mathematics and Physics, with at least C in Mathematics Applications from A-level students without Mathematics and/or Physics will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In addition, you will need evidence of a broad range of GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 4 or above (or grade C). You may be asked to come to an interview and/or a mathematics assessment during an Applicant Visit Day as part of the selection process.
Most popular A-levels studied
The Physics and Astronomy (with a foundation year) course at University of Sussex 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 |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | C |
| Physics | C |
| Chemistry | D |
| French | A |
| Further Mathematics | A |
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Physics | C |
| Mathematics | C |
| Chemistry | B |
| Further Mathematics | C |
| Geography | B |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: FF35
Here's what University of Sussex says about its Physics and Astronomy (with a foundation year) course.
About the course
Interested in physics, theoretical physics or astrophysics but don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree? A Foundation Year can help you get on to the course you want.
In the Department of Physics and Astronomy, you’ll be taught by the experts who are driving our research programmes. You’ll have full access to our facilities and equipment.
You’ll be a part of our close community, including:
-
plenty of opportunities for one-to-one support
-
shared spaces for peer study support
-
socialising with other students across all years in the Physics Society.
Once you’ve successfully completed your Foundation Year, you can choose from degrees in whichever branch of physics interests you the most – from astrophysics to theoretical physics. If you’re a high-achiever in your Foundation Year, you also have the option of joining one of our integrated Masters courses (MPhys).
Accreditation
After passing your Foundation Year you can transfer to any BSc degree in Physics or Astrophysics or - depending on your performance - any MPhys degree. All our BSc and MPhys degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Location
Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.
*About the University of Sussex *
Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.
Source: University of Sussex
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Location
Main Site | Brighton
Duration
4 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Astronomy
• Physics
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £27,300 per year |
| International | £27,300 per year |
The modules you will study
See the modules you will study by year by going to the ‘visit our course page’ link at the bottom of the page.
University of Sussex student reviews
Showing 120 reviews
1st year student
1 year ago
Two stars: Could be better
1st year student
1 year ago
Not really a social being
1st year student
1 year ago
Accommodation is quite expensive in this region and the need for a guarantor adds another expense.
1st year student
1 year ago
As an international student, i have had a pleasant experience with the staff members especially with the academic advisor team
1st year student
1 year ago
Ancient and not really modern
1st year student
1 year ago
The modules on my course have been carefully chosen to reflect the current movement and actualities within the financial industry
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Sussex
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 Astronomy (with a foundation year) course at University of Sussex 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?
88%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
94%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
68%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
97%
med
Learning opportunities
81%
low
Learning opportunities
81%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
88%
med
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?
88%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
74%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
71%
low
Assessment and feedback
64%
low
Assessment and feedback
64%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
65%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
71%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
55%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
79%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
55%
low
Academic support
88%
low
Academic support
88%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
88%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
88%
med
Organisation and management
78%
med
Organisation and management
78%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
79%
med
How well organised is your course?
76%
med
Learning resources
85%
low
Learning resources
85%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
73%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
91%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
91%
med
Student voice
70%
low
Student voice
70%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
45%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
94%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
70%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
59%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
93%
high
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
87%
med
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?
85%
low
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
97%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
70%
low
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
96%
med
Learning opportunities
81%
low
Learning opportunities
81%
low
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
87%
med
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?
89%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
73%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
69%
low
Assessment and feedback
66%
low
Assessment and feedback
66%
low
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
67%
low
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
73%
low
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
53%
low
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
80%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
55%
low
Academic support
87%
low
Academic support
87%
low
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
87%
low
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
87%
med
Organisation and management
77%
med
Organisation and management
77%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
79%
med
How well organised is your course?
75%
med
Learning resources
84%
low
Learning resources
84%
low
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
70%
low
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
88%
low
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
92%
med
Student voice
67%
low
Student voice
67%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
45%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
92%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
65%
low
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
55%
low
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
92%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
86%
med
Student information
The Physics and Astronomy (with a foundation year) course at University of Sussex 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 Astronomy (with a foundation year) course includes content from more than one subject area. Choose an option below for information about University of Sussex graduates across each of those subject areas.
Graduate statistics
60%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
90%
In work, study or other activity
60%
Say it fits with future plans
40%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Information Technology Professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
10%
Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10%
Elementary occupations
Graduate statistics
55%
In a job where degree was essential or beneficial
85%
In work, study or other activity
65%
Say it fits with future plans
40%
Are utilising studies
Top job areas
25%
Information Technology Professionals
15%
Elementary occupations
15%
Natural and social science professionals
10%
Administrative occupations
Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Sussex graduates who took Physics and Astronomy (with a foundation year) - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£27.7k
First year after graduation
£32.5k
Third year after graduation
£45.3k
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 Astronomy (with a foundation year).
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 Sussex on The Student Room.
University of Sussex open days
Are you thinking of applying to this university?
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.
