Fuel your fascination for space and the technologies we use to investigate it. As well as studying the fundamentals of physics, you’ll explore a range of space-related fields, including the essentials of astronomy, spacecraft design and space weather. You’ll be prepared for a wide range of careers, from fundamental research to commercial space activities. With the global space market set to increase rapidly, your skills will be in high demand. You will have access to exceptional research-grade facilities, including a rooftop observatory. We also provide an exciting opportunity in the second year; our top students visit La Laguna University in Tenerife to participate in a design study of a scientific spacecraft. Your degree will open the door to a wide range of careers, with recent graduates employed in roles ranging from physicists and engineers, to actuaries and statisticians, scientific journalists and medical researchers. Many students go onto further study.
A Level: {'start': ['A*', 'A', 'A', None], 'end': ['A', 'A', 'A', None]} | A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) or AAAB-AABB including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A). Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to the lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. If you are taking an EPQ in addition to three A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A), plus grade A in the EPQ. We are committed to ensuring that all students with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a student’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Students who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Scottish Higher | We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | GCSE/National 4/National 5 Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) | Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF): D | D*-D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus grades AA-A*A in A-level physics and A-level mathematics or further mathematics. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. Please visit the Foundation Year page for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Extended Project: A | If you are taking an EPQ in addition to three A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A), plus grade A in the EPQ. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme | Pass, with 38-36 points overall, with 19-18 points required at Higher Level, including 6 at Higher Level in mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and 6 at Higher Level in physics Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to the lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics and/or physics at Higher Level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) offer Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. | WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales: {'start': ['A'], 'end': ['B']} | A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A). or A*A-AA from two A-levels including physics and either mathematics or further mathematics and A from the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. or AAAB-AABB including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A). or AA from two A-levels including physics and either mathematics or further mathematics, plus grades AB-BB from a third A-level and the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales. A pass in the science Practical is required where it is separately endorsed. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017): {'start': ['H1', 'H1', 'H1', 'H2', 'H2', 'H2'], 'end': ['H1', 'H1', 'H2', 'H2', 'H2', 'H2']} | H1,H1,H1,H2,H2,H2- H1,H1,H2,H2,H2,H2 including mathematics, applied mathematics and physics. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to the lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016): {'start': ['D*', None, None, None], 'end': ['D', None, None, None]} | D*-D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus grades AA-A*A in A-level physics and A-level mathematics or further mathematics. Applicants who have not studied the required subjects at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. Please visit the Foundation Year page for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. | Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015): {'start': ['A'], 'end': ['B']} | A*AA-AAA including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) or A*A-AA from two A-levels including physics and either mathematics or further mathematics and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate or AAAB-AABB including physics (minimum grade A) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade A) or AA from two A-levels including physics and either mathematics or further mathematics, plus grades AB-BB from a third A-level and the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead the lower offer. Applicants who have not studied mathematics/further mathematics and/or physics at A-level can apply for the Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year. | Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal: {'start': ['D2', 'D3', 'D3', None], 'end': ['D3', 'D3', 'D3', None]} | D2 D3 D3 - D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including physics (minimum grade D3) and either mathematics or further mathematics (minimum grade D3). Successful applicants will be invited to visit the department and attend an optional interview. The optional interview may lead to the lower offer. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A, grade M2 can be used in lieu of A Level grade B or M3 can be used in lieu of A level grade C.
with no component below 6.0
Typical modules include: Year one: Electricity and Magnetism; Energy and Matter; Introduction to Astronomy and Space Science; Mathematical Methods for Physical Scientists; Motion and Relativity; Physics Skills; Waves, Light and Quanta. Year two: Classical Mechanics; Electromagnetism; European Dimension in Space; Physics from Evidence I; Quantum Physics; Statistical Mechanics; Wave Physics. Year three: Advanced Astronautics; Atomic Physics; Computer Techniques in Physics; Crystalline Solids; Dissertation; Nuclei and Particles; Physics from Evidence II; Space Plasma Physics; Theories of Matter, Space and Time. Year four: MPhys Final Year Synoptic Examination; MPhys Project; Spacecraft Orbital Mechanics; plus additional module options. Throughout your degree, you’ll also develop key transferable skills such as problem solving, data analysis and computing, which are sought after by a range employers. During year two, you’ll also have access to a programme of physics-focused career sessions, timetabled to fit in with your studies, which include application and interview workshops as well as talks from visiting professionals.
Please see our website for further details and updates regarding tuition fees. We anticipate that international tuition fee levels for 2027 entry will be confirmed in August 2026. — UG 2027 Entry - Home Confirmed, International TBC
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