About this course
This specialist course offers an unrivalled opportunity to study astrophysics with a year abroad. You'll spend your fourth year on a research project at the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) in Boston, USA. We are the only UK university that partners with Harvard in this way.
This flagship course is offered to the best students on our MPhys Physics with Astronomy degree at the end of year 2.
Another feature is a 2-week field trip to Tenerife where you’ll take part in a space mission design project.
You’ll also spend a week at an observatory learning to use high-spec telescopes.
As part of your course, you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of:
the make-up, dynamics and environment of galaxies
the life cycle of stars
how radiation is produced and detected in a cosmic setting
the space environment and space weather
concepts of modern cosmology, including the nature of dark matter
You’ll also learn the science behind powerful phenomena such as white dwarfs, black holes and neutron stars, the evolution of the universe, the formation of galaxies and space weather.
Course location
This course is based at Highfield, Southampton.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.