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Postgraduate Open Day
Find out more about your course of interest, speak with our academics and discover the opportunities that further study has to offer at our Postgraduate Open Day.
Our next Postgraduate Open Day will be on Saturday 23 November 2024 from 11.00 - 15.00. We offer a range of discounts to help with travel costs.
Visit Herts to learn about:
- Your chosen course: Speak to our friendly teaching staff about courses, module content and delivery methods
- Employment prospects: Understand work placement opportunities, industry connections, and course accreditations
- Support services: Get all the information you need about admissions, accommodation and student finance
- Life at Herts: Hear from our students about their postgrad student experience at Herts
- Explore: Discover our campuses, facilities and accommodation
Book your open day below.
MSc Astrophysics with Advanced Research
Why choose Herts?
- Cutting edge research: study and research cutting edge astrophysics in Hertfordshire’s internationally renowned Centre for Astrophysics Research.
- Bayfordbury Observatory: train as an astrophysicist in one of the best equipped teaching observatories in the UK.
- Specialist modules: study a broad astrophysics curriculum, with a wide range of specialist option modules.
About the course
The programme offers three award routes that you can choose to study:
- MSc Astrophysics
- MSc Astrophysics with Placement Year
- MSc Astrophysics Advanced Research
The MSc Astrophysics with Advanced Research is a two year degree worth 240 credits (120 ECTs), and emulates the structure of taught Masters degrees run in Europe and elsewhere outside the UK.
You’ll develop a thorough grounding in fundamental physics while exploring cutting edge topics about the Universe, its constituents and structure, and humanity’s place within it.
You’ll be trained in observational astrophysics and in the use of theory by carrying out a major research project supervised by a leading expert. Throughout the course, you’ll develop specialised skills in physics research enquiry and problem-solving, critical thinking, scientific writing, communication and presentation, and programming and software application.
The course gives you the unique opportunity to study a wide variety of astrophysical phenomena across many scales enabling you to explore all corners of the Universe. You'll study galactic topics, including: extra-solar planets, the life cycle of stars, gamma-ray bursters and supernovae. You’ll also have the opportunity to study extra-galactic topics, including: active galaxies at high redshift, cosmological theory and the evolution of the universe.
Why choose this course?
Research is at the forefront of the course and is embedded in your student experience from research-informed teaching, to opportunities for direct involvement with ongoing research projects. Your advanced research project has scope to yield a profound impact as your project work progresses understanding in the field.
You’ll be taken on an exciting learning journey led by staff from the University of Hertfordshire Centre for Astrophysics Research. You’ll benefit from their internationally renowned knowledge and experience from the work they carry out across a range of cutting-edge research topics in both galactic and extragalactic astrophysics.
The course benefits from a large practical component enabling you to put your knowledge and research into practice. As a student on the course, you’ll have unique access to the University’s own Bayfordbury Observatory. The Observatory is home to:
- eight individual domes
- a fully equipped computer building
- five 40cm Meade telescopes (equipped with CCD detectors)
- a solar telescope
- a video telescope
- four radio telescopes on-site which also facilitates a three-element radio interferometer.
The facilities are automated (with weather sensitive control) so observing can be done either remotely (via queue observing) or directly through on-site student visits.
The University of Hertfordshire was ranked 2nd in the East of England (after Cambridge) for Physics and Astronomy (2023 Complete University Guide).
Where will I study?
Learn in our new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones.
You will benefit from two new dedicated physics teaching labs. The new building will also be home to the Centre for Climate Change Research and the Wolfson Centre for Biodetection and Instrumentation Research, which have both been created in response to the most pressing global challenges.
You will also benefit from our Academic Support Hub, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.
The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.
What will I study?
As part of the course, you’ll undertake six compulsory modules focused on the latest cutting-edge research. You’ll study an exciting blend of topics, including:
- galactic and extragalactic astrophysics
- astrophysical techniques and concepts
- fundamental theory
- analysis methods.
The structure of the course enables you to take your research and career in the direction which suits you. You’re able to tailor your degree to your own interests and undertake an additional four optional modules from specialist areas of astrophysics, space science, fundamental theory, and optical physics.
The final year of the course includes a major astrophysics research project supervised by a leading expert in your chosen field. Project teaching comprises of individual supervision and guidance to support your development as a researcher. You’ll also carry out an in-depth exploration of the scientific literature and present seminars on key astrophysics topics linked to your project.
Where will I study?
Learn in our brand-new School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science building, opening in 2024, where you’ll experience a range of experiential learning zones.
You will benefit from two new dedicated physics teaching labs. The new building will also be home to the Centre for Climate Change Research and the Wolfson Centre for Biodetection and Instrumentation Research, which have both been created in response to the most pressing global challenges.
You will also benefit from a Success and Skills Support Unit, which is aimed at helping you build your employability and academic skills. Plus, have access to industry mentors who will provide you with pastoral support, vocational guidance, and career progression opportunities.
The new building will also provide space to collaborate, with plenty of workshops, social and meeting spaces available. Even better, the building has been designed with the University’s net zero carbon target in mind, and forms part of our plan to replace or upgrade older sites that are energy inefficient.
Key staff
Professor David Pinfield
Professor of Astronomy, Physics and Astrophysics Programme Leader
Find out more about Professor David Pinfield
Further course information
Course fact sheets | |
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MSc Astrophysics with Advanced Research | Download |
Programme specifications | |
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MSc Astrophysics with Advanced Research | Download |
Additional information | |
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Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
n/a |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |