BSc (Hons) Astronomy at University of Lancashire covers core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills development.
Explore the galaxy from your home on our astronomy distance learning degree course & indulge in your passion for astronomy and cosmology. Find out more here. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Astronomy is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Lancashire. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Physics & Chemistry graduates from this provider, 75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 85% in highly skilled roles. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Physics & Chemistry, see the sections below.
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 75% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 55% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
You'll be introduced to the subject of astronomy on this module, including key concepts, observational and practical techniques, report writing skills and theoretical aspects.
This module will provide you with a quantitative understanding of the physical concepts underlying astrophysical processes. You will develop an understanding of physical laws and concepts as applied to the Universe. The module will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills and techniques used in astronomy.
This module will provide you with a quantitative understanding of the mathematical concepts. You'll develop skills and confidence in different areas of mathematics. You will develop an understanding of some statistical methods relevant to astronomy. The module will enable you to solve problems in maths and statistics and apply the techniques to simple problems in astronomy.
This module forms the University Certificate in Cosmology. You will study 12 topics during this module around the Universe, Big Bang, and Cosmology. You will look at observational evidence, the galaxy, forces, and matter.
This module forms the University Certificate in IT for Astronomy. It concentrates on the software and communications tools required when studying Astronomy.
This module aims to develop your ability to undertake in-depth research and locate suitable resource, building on your basic knowledge of astronomy and cosmology. This module will provide you with the opportunity to practise extracting key issues and arguments from a number of sources to synthesise different strands of subject material.
This module provides an introduction to Sun, Earth and Climate, suitable for people with little prior knowledge of the subject and with a limited background in physics and maths. You'll gain an understanding of physical laws and concepts as applied to the Sun-Earth system and the Earth's climate.
This module is an introduction to astrobiology. It will include basic chemistry and biology, suitable for people with little prior knowledge about the subject. You will gain an understanding of the scientific laws and concepts which underpin the universe and astrobiology.
Providing a broad introduction to our understanding of the Galaxy, this module is a distance-learning unit for the University Advanced Certificate in Astrophysics of Galaxies and an option on the Combined Honours Astronomy programme.
This module is a distance-learning unit for the University Advanced Certificate in Astrophysics of Galaxies and the Combined Honours Astronomy programme. You will be given a broad introduction into galaxies beyond the Milky Way based on multi-waveband observations and basic principles.
This module is intended to provide you with a detailed understanding of astronomical detectors and technologies for the ultraviolet, optical and infrared wavelengths. You will examine case studies that show the relevance of the techniques to small telescopes and professional satellite and ground-based observing.
This module will help you discover how space missions to the planets help us to understand the origin, and future of our Solar System. Looking at issues such as the development of the Earth's atmosphere, changes in climate, and the energy sources in and formation of the Solar System.
This module will allow you to explore solar astrophysics, as offered to you by online learning.
This module aims to: provide you with an understanding of physical laws and concepts as applied to Solar Astrophysics. Learn how to link a range of stellar phenomena and topics in stellar astrophysics to solar astrophysics using the Sun as a detailed case study and setting it in the wider context of solar-like and other stars.
The aim of this module is to encourage the development of an independent study that is largely initiated and planned. You'll see the work through to completion, and write a substantial coherent report on an astronomical topic or theme.
In this module, you will build on your knowledge of Cosmology by introducing a mathematical approach. You will also learn the underlying physics and observational consequences within Cosmology and Relativity.
This module covers physical concepts that describe the behaviour of matter in extreme conditions. You'll learn using astrophysical examples in relation to Energy, Matter, and the Universe. This module contains the groundwork to enable you to proceed to further study.
The aim of this module is to develop your skills in group work, using report writing and IT-based presentation skills. You'll use your IT expertise and individual research skills to mirror the mode of collaboration used by astronomers to undertake their research.
This module presents scientific highlights of current astronomical investigation. You will learn about astronomical projects that are fundamental research areas. You will study scientific methods for investigating problems and technological advances. You will maintain a portfolio of work on current topics in astronomy or astrophysics.
This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of computer programming as used by modern astronomers. You will develop your ability to analyse astrophysical problems using a range of computational tools. The module will enable you to use computational tools to undertake astronomical investigations involving real astronomical datasets.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
This distance learning degree allows you to explore astronomy and cosmology from home. You'll usually begin with core physics foundations, mechanics, matter and energy, alongside mathematics for scientists and laboratory skills. In Year 2, a course like this typically moves into quantum and thermal physics, advanced experiments and scientific computing, supported by mathematical methods for solving physical problems. By Year 3, you'll progress to specialist options such as astrophysics, quantum science and computational methods, alongside research-level topics taught by active researchers. You'll complete your studies with a supervised research project in astronomy or a related specialism, applying your learning to original investigation.
Most entrants to this course hold a previous degree; 65% of accepted students came in with prior qualifications. The part-time format suits those balancing study with other commitments.
The University of Lancashire is a UK degree-awarding body founded in 1828. This BSc (Hons) Astronomy is delivered part-time via distance learning, taught in English. The university holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (2023). The degree is recognised by the Institute of Physics for eligibility for Associate Membership. Check the university's funding pages for scholarships and bursaries.
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| a previous degree | 65% |
| another higher-education qualification | 25% |
| A-levels or equivalent | 10% |
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Lancashire →2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Undergraduates from low-income households, subject to eligibility
Eligible undergraduate students with experience of care
Eligible undergraduate or taught-postgraduate unpaid carers
Forced migrants who are not eligible for student finance
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
What Physics & Chemistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
National figures for Physics & Chemistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 65%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
How Physics & Chemistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Where Physics & Chemistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Physics & Chemistry graduates.
Physics Content Developer for AI-Enhanced LearningUp LearnPhysics PhD, Quantum Data Scientist for AIObsidianPhysics Academic MentorRibbons and Reeves LimitedPhysics TechnicianSapientia Education TrustPhysics Academic Mentor17918Physics Teachers in Calderdale and KirkleesCV-LibraryThe essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
75% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.4 out of 10: NSS 91.3% · in work or study 75% · continued 55%.
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
What applying to University of Lancashire from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
International tuition is set per course by University of Lancashire; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Lancashire’s funding pages.
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Lancashire and gov.uk before you apply.
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.
