University Course Options

Hi,
I have been looking at applying for Astrophysics at various universities and I have wanted to study astrophysics for a long time now. However, I am also applying for just physics and Oxford, which has got me thinking, would it be better for me to apply for physics at all universities and give myself a more broad knowledge of physics? This would be really helpful for the future, in case I no longer want to work in astrophysics but another area of physics, but I do love astrophysics.
Don't get me wrong, I love all areas of physics and would be very happy with spending 4 years of my life working on it, especially if it would be better for my future, but I have been dead-set on studying astrophysics for years.
What do you think would be the best course to go for, or should I keep it open like I have now with astrophysics for all universities except Oxford which is solely physics?

Reply 1

Mr Wednesday

19

Original post by Sam Eggelton

Hi,
I have been looking at applying for Astrophysics at various universities and I have wanted to study astrophysics for a long time now. However, I am also applying for just physics and Oxford, which has got me thinking, would it be better for me to apply for physics at all universities and give myself a more broad knowledge of physics? This would be really helpful for the future, in case I no longer want to work in astrophysics but another area of physics, but I do love astrophysics.
Don't get me wrong, I love all areas of physics and would be very happy with spending 4 years of my life working on it, especially if it would be better for my future, but I have been dead-set on studying astrophysics for years.
What do you think would be the best course to go for, or should I keep it open like I have now with astrophysics for all universities except Oxford which is solely physics?

Pretty much every physics with astrophysics course is almost identical to "just physics" with a few astro options in the 3rd year, so you might be better served by taking a course at the best uni you can get into and specializing by careful choice of options and particularly project work in the 3rd and 4th year, provided there is a relevance research group to provide expert supervision,

Reply 2

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

15

Original post by Sam Eggelton

Hi,
I have been looking at applying for Astrophysics at various universities and I have wanted to study astrophysics for a long time now. However, I am also applying for just physics and Oxford, which has got me thinking, would it be better for me to apply for physics at all universities and give myself a more broad knowledge of physics? This would be really helpful for the future, in case I no longer want to work in astrophysics but another area of physics, but I do love astrophysics.
Don't get me wrong, I love all areas of physics and would be very happy with spending 4 years of my life working on it, especially if it would be better for my future, but I have been dead-set on studying astrophysics for years.
What do you think would be the best course to go for, or should I keep it open like I have now with astrophysics for all universities except Oxford which is solely physics?

Hi!

I'm a second year at Lancaster University. In first year at Lancaster, and at many other Universities, all students on a physics/physics with astrophysics course will be taught exactly the same modules. This makes sure you have a foundation in physics and maths which you can then specialise on. Additionally, it means you can move between different physics courses if you change you're mind about what you're interested in. In second and third year you will have more choice to select astrophysics modules. At Lancaster, if you are on a physics with astrophysics course these modules will be automatically selected for you. If you were on the physics course, you would still be able to choose these modules but you would also have more choice to chose modules in different areas such as quantum physics or particle physics. No matter whether you have studied a physics or astrophysics degree, you are likely to be able to apply for similar jobs, so long as you can demonstrate the skills necessary for the role. This could be during your degree or outside of it during internships.
If you are really passionate about astrophysics I'd recommend choosing universities that have strong research strengths in astrophysics, as this will filter down into undergraduate degrees, especially in later years during project work.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions,
Becky (Lancaster University Student Ambassador)

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 3

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

21

Original post by Sam Eggelton

Hi,
I have been looking at applying for Astrophysics at various universities and I have wanted to study astrophysics for a long time now. However, I am also applying for just physics and Oxford, which has got me thinking, would it be better for me to apply for physics at all universities and give myself a more broad knowledge of physics? This would be really helpful for the future, in case I no longer want to work in astrophysics but another area of physics, but I do love astrophysics.
Don't get me wrong, I love all areas of physics and would be very happy with spending 4 years of my life working on it, especially if it would be better for my future, but I have been dead-set on studying astrophysics for years.
What do you think would be the best course to go for, or should I keep it open like I have now with astrophysics for all universities except Oxford which is solely physics?

As noted, a degree in "astrophysics" is virtually always identical to a degree in physics except that some of the otherwise optional modules are preselected for you as astro modules. No real difference between doing a degree in astrophysics vs doing a degree in physics and selecting astro modules. Note that this means you will invariably cover all the core areas of physics anyway, and the optional modules usually won't be a major limitation if you want to end up doing a PhD in a different area.

I think you're getting too hung up on the name of the degree. Ultimately the name of the degree is meaningless, as is the degree title (BA/BSc/etc). What matters is the course content. If you actually look at the course content of these degrees I think you will see just how similar they are.

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