Program Overview

Why choose this course

Students benefit from our excellent facilities and the University’s partnership with the National Physical Laboratory.

There are two unique aspects of both levels of our physics with nuclear astrophysics degrees:

Our award-winning Professional Training placements:

• Within the BSc, the option to take a paid Professional Training placement in industry gives you invaluable hands-on experience to enhance your employability.
• On our MPhys, you’ll take a year-long, masters-level integrated research placement. This can be in one of our world-leading research groups or at one of our international partner institutions.

Our focus on undergraduate research and innovation:

• All undergraduates have the opportunity to apply for paid 8-10 week summer research placements in our research groups and those of our South East Physics Network partners.
• We offer in-house ‘research and innovation’ and ‘enterprise’ grants that students can apply for to fund a research placement, attend a conference or develop a new business idea.

What you will study

You’ll explore core elements of traditional physics and astrophysics (e.g. particle physics, atoms and molecules) and topics within astronomy and nuclear physics, reflecting the outstanding research we conduct at Surrey.

Students have the option to take a Professional Training placement on the BSc or an integrated research year on the MPhys. The latter is a direct route to a masters qualification. The MPhys integrated research year allows you to develop your skills in an academic or industrial arena, before returning for your final masters-level modules.

Formal lectures are complemented with work in our specialist radiation laboratories, which have recently been refurbished and enlarged at a cost of £2.7m. As an undergraduate student, you’ll use these labs to undertake experiments related to the Nuclear and Particle Physics module.

Physics with nuclear astrophysics placements

BSc students have the option of taking a Professional Training placement, which can add real value to their learning experience.

Over the years, we’ve placed our students with many companies and laboratories, including:

• Central Laser Facility (CLF) at the Rutherford Lab
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
• InSync Technologies Ltd
• MBDA UK Ltd
• National Physical Laboratory
• Plasma Quest
• Regional Radiation Protection Service.

Your personal tutor and the Professional Training tutor will discuss your interests and abilities with you in the second year, and support you in applying to our extensive database of potential employers.