Physics with Astronomy

Physics with astronomy is a programme that combines the foundational rigour of physics as a discipline with a specialist focus on one of its most captivating areas of application. Astronomy and astrophysics address the largest scales of space and time, examining the structure, evolution, and ultimate fate of stars, galaxies, black holes, and the universe as a whole. The observations that astronomy makes and the phenomena it encounters constantly challenge and extend the theories of physics, making the two disciplines natural intellectual partners.

This three-year, full-time programme at the University of Surrey develops your physics education from the classical foundations through to quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and statistical physics, while also giving you specialist training in the observational and computational methods of astronomy. Surrey's astronomy facilities, including teaching and outreach telescopes for hands-on observational experience as well as high-performance computing and GPU clusters for data analysis and simulation, provide a rich practical environment for this kind of study. You will develop skills in scientific computation, data analysis, and the interpretation of astronomical observations alongside your theoretical physics training.

Graduates of physics with astronomy programmes are well prepared for careers in research, both in academic institutions and in the growing space and satellite industry. Data science, software engineering, scientific computing, and analytical roles in technology, finance, and consulting also draw on the quantitative and computational skills the degree develops. The practical experience of working with telescopes and high-performance computing gives graduates a tangible technical portfolio.

Further postgraduate study in astrophysics, cosmology, observational astronomy, or physics is a natural extension for those who wish to pursue academic research or specialised roles in the space sector.