Physics with Astrophysics
Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences, concerned with understanding the basic constituents of matter and energy and the laws that govern their behaviour. From the quantum mechanics of subatomic particles to the general relativity of curved spacetime, physics provides the theoretical framework within which all other natural sciences operate. Astrophysics extends that framework to the scale of the cosmos, applying physical laws to stars, galaxies, black holes, neutron stars, and the large-scale structure and history of the universe.
Extreme conditions in space, including immense gravity, high pressure, and intense temperatures, push physical laws to their limits and reveal aspects of reality that are inaccessible to laboratory science.
At the University of Dundee, this four-year full-time programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study at a partner institution in another country and to engage with astrophysics research in a different academic environment. You will study the core of physics, developing expertise in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematical methods, alongside specialist astrophysics content covering stellar evolution, cosmology, galaxies, planetary science, and observational and computational techniques. The programme develops the rigorous quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills that characterise physics education at its best, preparing you to engage with fundamental questions about the nature of the universe.
Graduates from physics and astrophysics programmes go on to careers in research, data science, finance, technology, defence, education, and the public sector. The quantitative training a physics degree provides is among the most valued by employers across a wide range of industries, far beyond physics and astronomy. Many graduates pursue postgraduate research in astrophysics, physics, or related sciences, and some go on to careers with space agencies, observatories, or technology companies at the frontier of what is known.