About the School of Physics, Astronomy and Maths

At the School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics we pride ourselves on creating exceptional opportunities for our students.

You will have access to some of the best teaching facilities in the UK, learn in small classes taught by practising scientists and mathematicians, and explore for research and professional development in our laboratories or on outside placements.

Choose us because:

• We put our students first in everything we do from teaching to research.
• Our degrees are highly rated in both the Guardian University Rankings and the National Student Satisfaction Survey.
• Our teaching observatory at Bayfordbury is widely regarded as the best in the country.
• Students have excellent one-year placement opportunities in the UK and abroad.
• All of our degrees are accredited by the relevant professional bodies (Institute of Mathematics and its Applications or the Institute of Physics). Upon graduation you will be eligible for graduate membership to one of these bodies.

Learning Environment

• We have over 260 undergraduate and research students.
• Our degree courses provide the opportunity to work on real-life projects in industry or research before you graduate.
• Our maths degrees are highly flexible and can be taken as part of a joint honours degree programme.
• The School is actively involved in promoting public understanding of mathematics and science. The Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclasses is the most high profile of these activities, but we also hold open nights and short courses at the observatory, and have a busy programme of visiting lecturers.

Research Focus

• We have one of the largest astronomy research groups in the UK.
• Our physics research group is renowned for applying fundamental physics to real world problems.
• We have a young, growing and dynamic mathematics research group working in optimisation, algebra and its applications to theoretical computer science.
• Our research activity - which continually feeds into teaching - is very diverse, covering some of the most exciting topics in modern science, including the astrophysics of stars, galaxies and black holes, the new area of physics called quantum computing, and mathematical areas including financial modelling, amongst others.

Enterprise Partnerships

• We work in partnership with industry and public sector and technical organisations on a range of initiatives, including contract research and consultancy. We have a record of success in applying our skills and expertise to specific practical problems.
• Our academic staff consult on a variety of mathematics and physics projects, but offer particular strengths in computational modelling, global optimisation and digital imaging. Organisations can get in touch online with relevant specialists via our Xpertise database, which stores information on over 2,000 areas of knowledge and skills within the University.