MSc Astrophysics

You’ll develop key skills and knowledge in advanced physics, data analysis techniques, and software development, while exploring cutting edge topics in a fast-moving international research field. Your in-depth, specialist physics understanding, and range of technical and mathematical skills mean you’ll be well placed for a career in industrial or scientific research and in a range of STEM areas.

You’ll also be well equipped to progress onto a PhD programme joining a community of graduates who are contributing to cutting-edge research in the field.

Our graduates also find employment in international observatories, research institutions, engineering and financial industries, and teaching.

The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

A good (2.1 or above) Honours degree (or equivalent) in physics, astrophysics, or a closely related subject, where the degree is accredited by a professional statutory regulatory body such as the Institute of Physics (or a body of equivalent standing in a related subject or overseas).

Why choose this course?
Research is at the forefront of the course and is embedded in your student experience from research-informed teaching, to opportunities for direct involvement with ongoing research projects.

You’ll be taken on an exciting learning journey led by staff from the University of Hertfordshire Centre for Astrophysics Research. You’ll benefit from their internationally renowned knowledge and experience from the work they carry out across a range of cutting-edge research topics in both galactic and extragalactic astrophysics.

Find out more about the Centre for Astrophysics Research.

The course benefits from a large practical component enabling you to put your knowledge and research into practice. As a student on the course, you’ll have unique access to the University’s own Bayfordbury Observatory. The Observatory is home to:

eight individual domes
a fully equipped computer building
five 40cm Meade telescopes (equipped with CCD detectors)
a solar telescope
a video telescope
four radio telescopes on-site which also facilitates a three-element radio interferometer.
The facilities are automated (with weather sensitive control) so observing can be done either remotely (via queue observing) or directly through on-site student visits.