MPhys Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year
About this course
MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics, combining core physics with observational astronomy and theoretical astrophysics. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, and Mathematical Modelling. The course includes a professional placement year in industry and a final-year Astrophysics project aligned with research groups.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAA (B in Maths and Physics)
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What students say
Based on about 28 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 87%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 35%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 100 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 9%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 13%
- South East: 17%
- South West: 18%
- Wales: 31%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists 1
- Mechanics and Relativity
- Introduction to Quantum Physics and Materials
- Experimental Physics
- Electricity, Magnetism and Waves
- Computational Skills for Problem Solving
- Introduction to Astrophysics
- Mathematical Methods for Physicists 2
- The Physics of Fields and Flows
- The Stars and their Planets
- Quantum Mechanics
- Scientific Programming
- Observational Techniques in Astronomy
- Thermal and Statistical Physics
- Optics
- Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics
- Astrophysics in Action: Real-World Problem Solving
- Placement
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
- Particle Physics and Special Relativity
- Astrophysics Project
- Solid State Physics
- Computational Physics
- Environmental Physics
- Theoretical Physics
- Science Communication
- Commercialising Innovation
- Formation and Evolution of Stars
- Galaxies and Galaxy Evolution
- High-Energy Astrophysics
- Cosmology
- Introduction to General Relativity
- Energy and Gas in Interstellar Space
- Astrophysics Project
- Electromagnetic Radiation Detection
- Quantum Theory of Many-particle systems
- Data Science
- Gravitational-wave detectors
- Advanced General Relativity and Gravitational Waves
- Physics and Reality
- Observational Gravitational Wave Astronomy
- Quantum Statistical Mechanics
- Advanced Particle Physics
- Exoplanets and the Search for Life
- Numerical Relativity and Waveform Modelling
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MPhys Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £28,500 after 3 years, £36,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £44,000. The £36,000 median after five years is £1,500 more than the UK median for Astronomy.
What do graduates of MPhys Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MPhys Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MPhys Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University?
The typical offer is AAA at A level. The average entrant had 144 UCAS points.
How many students continue on MPhys Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year at Cardiff University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.