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Course contact details
Admissions Team
Email:admissions@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone:029 2087 9999
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Astrophysics
- BSc (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 28/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Awarded by:
- Cardiff University (Prifysgol Caerdydd)
Course summary
Join a top 10 university for physics in the UK (The Guardian Best UK Universities 2024) in the vibrant, welcoming capital city of Wales.
Astrophysics applies the principles of physics to astrological phenomena, helping us to explore the Universe and investigate how it works.
At Cardiff University, we are home to one of the largest astronomy groups in the UK and have led many new discoveries, from the detection of gravitational waves to the first images of black holes. During this course, you’ll be taught by staff whose research is leading to these discoveries – learning about the theoretical physics and mathematical concepts
describing space, time, energy and matter, and how to apply these to the cosmos.
A more specialised course than our Physics with Astronomy degrees, our Astrophysics
courses provide you with the core skills and knowledge you need in physics and mathematics, combined with an understanding of observational astronomy and the theoretical aspects of astrophysics. An ideal grounding for a career as an astrophysicist, this degree also prepares you for a range of careers from data analysis and technology to finance and education.
In year one, you’ll take core modules to lay the foundations of your physics, mathematics and computing knowledge, as well as an introduction to astrophysics. You’ll gain confidence in practical work through designing and conducting experiments in the
laboratory.
Combined with your core physics modules in years two and three, you’ll also learn about:
-
observational techniques in astronomy;
-
the stars and their planets;
-
galaxies and galaxy evolution;
-
high energy astrophysics;
-
cosmology and the Big Bang theory of the Universe.
As part of the observational techniques module, you’ll carry out a project using real data from the Las Cumbres Observatory, which uses a range of robotic telescopes around the world working as a single network.
In the final year of your BSc, you’ll also undertake an astrophysics research project with one of our top researchers. This may involve analysing data from our international or space-based telescopes, trying to understand the physics of the Universe using computer modelling, or even attempting to detect extrasolar planets.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Physics, Institute of
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F511
- Institution code:
- C15
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Cardiff
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB - BBB
To include Maths and Physics. Applicants taking Maths without Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade A in Maths. You will need to pass the science practical element of the A-level if this is part of your programme of study.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD-DM in a BTEC Diploma in science and engineering subjects and grade A in Maths A-Level or D in any BTEC subject and grades BB in Maths and Physics A-Level.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 - 31 points
34-31 overall or 666-665 in 3 HL subjects. To include HL Maths and HL Physics. Applicants taking HL Maths without HL Physics will also be considered normally subject to achieving a grade 6 in HL Maths.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in place of one A-level at the A-level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.
Extended Project - A
For applicants taking the EPQ qualification, an A in the EPQ can be recognised to lower the entry requirements by a single grade. For example, an AAB offer would be “AAB from 3 A-levels or ABB from 3 A-levels and a grade A in the EPQ”. Please note that any subject specific requirements must be met.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Tier 4 visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
T Level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
All applicants are expected to have demonstrable English language skills. Most courses ask for GCSE English grade C/4 or equivalent, but some courses ask for GCSE English grade B/6 or equivalent.
To find out more, please go to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements/undergraduate
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
At Cardiff we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, as part of this our contextual admissions policy aims to widen participation and improve access to Higher Education (HE).
For more information on Cardiff University contextual admissions, including how applications are scored and how we use that score, please see our website.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £29450 | Year 1 |
| International | £29450 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Students from the UK and Islands:
Fees stated are for the 2025/26 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete to the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.
Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland:
If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, unless you qualify for UK fee status, tuition fees for 2025/26 will be in line with the fees charged for international students. You can check whether you are eligible for UK (Home) fee status on the UKCISA website: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/Wales-HE-fee-status#layer-6099
Students from the rest of the world (international):
Fees stated are for 2025/26 entry and are fixed for the duration of the programme, excluding Medicine and Dentistry programmes. Please note that during the pre-clinical element of Medicine and Dentistry programmes the fee rate will be fixed, after which the clinical fee rate will be charged. Further details are available on the university website at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees
Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.
Sponsorship information
Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.
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