Astrophysics with a Professional Placement Year (BSc)

You’ll be taught through lectures, tutorials, labs and a range of computer-based, project-based and skills-based exercises. Physics is a hierarchical discipline so the structure of the course is systematic, building on fundamental understanding.

Exercises are an integral part of all lecture-based modules, giving you the opportunity to apply your knowledge, increase your critical awareness and enhance your problem-solving skills.

You’ll have weekly laboratory classes in the first two years to prepare you for an experimental study as part of your final-year Astrophysics project.

We teach mathematics alongside the major physics and astrophysics concepts in all years, with specific modules in the first year. It is fundamental to understanding the subject and is incorporated into many physics modules.

Key IT skills are taught throughout the course as well as basic programming. You may also have the opportunity to take further computing and numerical-methods modules as the course develops.

Regular small-group tutorials are held in years one and two. These allow you to meet with other students in small groups (typically four or five students to one tutor) and receive feedback on your continuous assessment. In the first year these sessions are usually on a weekly basis; in year two they take place fortnightly.

Throughout the course, wherever possible, we aim to use recent research results to illustrate and illuminate the subject.

Your professional placement provider is expected to provide you with experience of a working environment, where some academic skills can be utilised and developed and which you can describe in a technical report.

How will I be supported?

 You’ll be allocated a personal tutor, a member of academic staff who can provide pastoral support and academic advice during your course. You’ll also regularly interact with academic staff through your lectures, laboratory practical sessions, workshops and tutorials.

You’ll be able to contact your lecturers to resolve specific queries about your course either through our ‘open door’ policy or system to book meeting times.

Your professional placement will be supervised by a placement mentor and overseen by a specially appointed academic staff member.

You’ll be given access to relevant programming languages, such as python, multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles through the University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central. Opportunities for you to reflect on your abilities and performance are available through the Learning Central ‘Personal Development Planning’ module. The School currently also provides the core first-year physics and maths textbooks.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

How will I be assessed?

Throughout each year of study, our assessment strategy is designed to support, engage, and challenge students through three key types of assessment: assessment for learning, assessment as learning, and assessment of learning.

Assessment for learning provides timely, constructive feedback to help students understand their current progress and identify ways to improve. These assessments are closely aligned with both the module learning outcomes and graduate attributes, offering feedback not just on academic performance, but also on key employability skills valued by employers.

Assessment as learning encourages students to reflect, engage, and grow through the assessment process itself. These activities are embedded in the learning journey, helping students take ownership of their progress and build confidence in their capabilities.

Together, these approaches prepare students for assessment of learning, which evaluates achievement against learning outcomes. These summative assessments are used to assure both the University and accrediting bodies that students have developed the required knowledge, skills, and professional competencies.

Examples of Assessment for and as Learning:

• Weekly quizzes and short tests: Reinforce core concepts, encourage regular engagement, and support revision.
• Laboratory diaries (Practical and Computing): Promote scientific thinking and professional development by encouraging reflection and documentation of practical work.
• Creative assignments such as presentations, posters, videos, or letters: Develop communication skills, visual storytelling, and the ability to tailor messages for specific audiences.

Examples of Assessment of Learning:

• Final reports: Showcase practical skills and the ability to communicate findings to professional standards.
• Timed assessments, including exams and in-class tests.
• Oral presentations: Assess subject knowledge, clarity of communication, and the ability to respond to questions with confidence.

Our holistic assessment approach not only supports academic success but also helps students grow into confident, capable professionals ready to make an impact.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Demonstrate a reasoned and connected understanding of the core principles of classical and modern physics to explain phenomena, resolve problems, and identify real-world applications.
• Establish and apply mathematical methods used in physics, including modelling, approximation techniques, and data analysis.
• Detail the interdisciplinary connections between physics and other scientific disciplines, particularly computational and planetary sciences, to reinforce astrophysical applications.
• Systematically understand the physical principles underlying astronomical observations and the operation of observational instruments. 
• Evaluate how physics has contributed to major discoveries and conceptual developments in astronomy and astrophysics.
• Integrate Astrophysics with practical industrial applications, recognising the impact of physics on technological advancements and innovation within various sectors.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically evaluate and interpret experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to solve complex astrophysical problems.
• Analyse and critique scientific arguments, methodologies, and evidence in your own work and in the published literature.
• Formulate innovative solutions to open-ended problems in astrophysics through independent and critical thinking.
• Determine the influence of physical parameters on the structure, evolution, and observation of astrophysical systems. 
• Devise and refine physics-based strategies to improve the modelling and understanding of celestial phenomena.
• Critically evaluate and interpret complex real-world data from industrial projects, applying advanced Astrophysics methodologies to solve practical problems and improve processes.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Develop and apply software, hardware, and instrumentation skills to conduct advanced experiments and simulations in astrophysics.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including scientists, engineers, and data specialists, to convey and apply complex physics concepts in research environments.
• Conduct independent research projects, complying with ethical, regulatory, and safety standards relevant to astrophysics.
• Critically evaluate, design, and enhance observational and theoretical techniques using physics principles to support high-quality astronomical research.
• Communicate complex astrophysics concepts and findings to both specialist and non-specialist stakeholders, with emphasis on research integrity, clarity, and societal impact.
• Develop and manage sophisticated projects in industrial settings, demonstrating the ability to adapt astrophysics principles to address and resolve technical challenges in a professional environment.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Communicate scientific information clearly and accurately in oral and written forms to diverse audiences.
• Apply problem-solving skills using theoretical, computational, and experimental methods to interdisciplinary and real-world challenges.
• Work effectively both independently and in diverse teams, demonstrating professional integrity, time management, and adaptability.
• Demonstrate investigative skills including literature review, database searching, and the critical use of digital resources in scientific enquiry.
• Manage and lead complex projects, demonstrating initiative, decision-making, and accountability in professional and academic settings.