Master of Physics with Astronomy

at University of Southampton - Highfield Campus United Kingdom

Explore the fundamentals of finance and the rapidly evolving industry known as Financial Technology (FinTech). This 3-year programme will put you at the forefront of research and development within this sector, allowing you to gain the skills necessary to pursue a wide range of careers.

Applications for 2022 entry to this course are now closed to all international applicants. View our undergraduate courses.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the business environment and the real-world application of relevant theories that underpin finance
• Utilise our financial laboratory (finlab), home to our bloomberg terminals
• Learn the basics of computer programming, and become a confident user of statistical software, such as eviews, stata, and matlab, and more advance machine learning and ai techniques
• Understand the foundations of financial technology, and the most recent innovations in this area
• Develop a high level of numeracy and a capacity for reasoned thought and analysis

Financial Technology remains a vital part of the modern finance debate. To capture this, the course combines key quantitative and analytical skills in finance, with modern, fintech related topics such as:

• Cryptocurrency
• Crowdfunding
• Peer-to-peer landing

The programme will prepare you for a career in the dynamic financial environment by providing a technical and research-driven curriculum.

You’ll graduate with the ability to apply the most recent developments in Finance to complex real-world problems.

Your studies will be informed by the latest findings, with our academics operate at the forefront of research in areas such as:

• FinTech
• High-frequency trading
• Corporate finance
• Portfolio theory  
• Alternative investments

All of our Business courses include the option to spend a year studying abroad at one of our partners in Europe, North America, Australia or Asia. This is a unique opportunity to experience another culture, improve your language skills and enhance your CV.

MSc Propulsion and Engine Systems Engineering explores the performance and reliability of rocket motors, jet engines and compressors.  

Our master’s courses combine the traditional aspects of mechanical engineering with interdisciplinary subjects so you can specialise in a career you want. Our international centre for research and teaching is recognised across the world. 

Our propulsion engineering degree explores the design, monitoring and analysis of propulsion and engine systems. 

You’ll learn to analyse and design advanced electrical systems, and study subjects like gas turbines, internal combustion and, electrical and hybrid engines. You’ll have the opportunity to study optional modules in areas you want to learn more about, including: 

• Condition monitoring
• Engine tribology
• Noise control
• Environmental aspects
• Batteries
• Fuel cells
• Spacecraft propulsion

As part of this UK master’s in propulsion engineering you’ll complete a research project, you can choose to base yours on a range of topics such as engine materials, combustion modelling and electrical motors. 

You’ll learn from academics who are leading  their fields and teaching the latest in technological advancements. Studying at Southampton gives you access to a global network of companies, shared facilities and specialist expertise to enhance your learning.

Learn how to prepare and interpret financial and managerial information for a variety of users. You'll also gain a sound understanding of investment and finance. Our research-focused academics keep the course up to date with the latest financial, regulatory and accounting requirements and trends.

BSc Accounting and Finance is a flexible course and can be tailored to your own interests and career plans. You could choose to learn more about international banking, or select modules in other areas of business and management such as marketing, human resources management, or project management.

With this accounting and finance degree you will:

• benefit from direct contact with research-led academics who are experts in corporate governance, taxation, auditing, and financial accounting and reporting
• gain a thorough grounding in management and financial accounting theory and practice
• explore possible career paths by taking optional modules in a range of business and management topics
• take a year on an industrial placement to improve your skills
• benefit from our strong links with industry, including an opportunity to present an assignment to audit partners from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
• attend guest lectures
• gain accreditations that will enable you to apply for exemptions from professional exams

Our MSc Environmental Monitoring and Assessment master’s degree develops the professional skills required for a rewarding career as an environmental scientist in a fast-growing and rapidly-changing industry.

Highly skilled environmental scientists are critical for the safe and responsible governance of our environment. This environmental management degree will give you the ability to carry out environmental assessments and audits, handle environmental information and work with geospatial data.

On completing the course, you’ll be able to show your knowledge and understanding of:

• The importance of environmental concepts, terms, principles and methods
• The value of using techniques and ideas in different subject disciplines
• The socio-economic context of environmental issues and the legal framework for environmental regulation
• The contribution of science, engineering or communication to the identification and resolution of environmental issues
• The human causes and consequences of environmental impacts
• General environmental concerns, including biodiversity, environmental limits to economic or population growth

You’ll also have opportunities to work with environmental organisations and visit leading environmental and sustainability initiatives such as infrastructure projects.

Develop a deeper understanding of the environment and our relationship with it on this environmental consultancy master's at the University of Southampton.

This master’s degree will give you in-depth knowledge of a variety of topics, including sustainability and environmental law. You’ll graduate with practical skills that will boost your job prospects in a growing field.

Social, technological and environmental change is forcing us to rethink how we live, consume resources, and manage issues like climate, globalisation and demographic change. The world needs experts who can advise large organisations on environmental challenges and opportunities.

On this master’s programme you’ll:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the functioning and management of the environment
• Develop specialist knowledge in a chosen area of environmental sciences
• Explore the interactions between environment and society
• Complete a substantial research project
• Learn to think critically about the environment in the modern world and conduct independent study on the subject

We’ll teach you to evaluate challenges in the field using data analysis methods and analytical skills. On completion of the programme, you’ll be ready for a wide range of careers in environmental consultancy.

You’ll have opportunities to:

• Work directly with environmental organisations
• vVisit leading environmental and sustainability initiatives (e.g. infrastructure projects)
• Receive professional RGS-IVG accredited CPD training through the GeoData Institute
• Carry out independent project work in the UK

Our MSc Water Resources Management master’s degree develops the professional skills required for a rewarding career as a water focused environmental scientist. The importance of accurately assessing potential and existing impacts on the water environment from industrial practices, abstraction and agriculture sits at the heart of this course.

Highly skilled water scientists and engineers are vital for the conservation and enhancement of our aquatic environment, both locally and globally. This programme will give you the ability to accurately assess the potential and existing impacts on the water environment from industrial practices, abstraction, and agriculture.

On completing this master's in water management, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

•  The importance of environmental concepts, terms, principles and methods
• The value of using techniques and ideas in different subject disciplines
• The socio-economic context of environmental issues and the legal framework for environmental regulation
• The contribution of science, engineering or communication to the identification and resolution of environmental issues
• The human causes and consequences of environmental impacts
• General environmental concerns, including biodiversity, environmental limits to economic or population growth

You’ll explore the scientific and engineering management of our aquatic resources and gain an in-depth understanding of freshwater ecosystems, visit river restoration sites and examine the state of fisheries.

Biochemistry answers the ultimate questions about how living organisms work. It covers topics from DNA to proteins, single molecules to cells, all the way up to complex lifeforms. You'll study the molecular processes of life itself, and gain the skills to become a biochemist.

Our Biochemistry course will let you explore the biochemical sciences, and develop your laboratory skills.

Our teaching staff are at the forefront of research in areas like:

• The molecular basis of disease
• Oncology
• Structural biology
• DNA recognition
• Cell signalling

 As part of your degree you can:

• Choose specialised, optional modules in areas that interest you
• Solve problems in areas like pathology, pharmacology, and genetics
• Study abroad at one of our partner universities
• Take a year out to work in industry
• Develop practical skills during your project
• Use your knowledge of biochemistry in education, communication or business

You'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to follow a wide range of careers. These include biochemistry graduate jobs in clinical biochemistry, biotechnology, forensic science and teaching.

Learn about the materials used in aircraft and spacecraft, why they’re chosen, how they behave and why they sometimes fail. You’ll study the design and manufacture of fast-moving aircraft and spacecraft, then specialise in their materials, structures and analysis. MEng Aeronautics and Astronautics / Materials and Structures prepares you for a career in engineering design or further research.

Aeronautics and Astronautics looks at the science, engineering and manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft. On our aeronautical engineering courses you'll learn how they operate within our atmosphere and in space.

You’ll study the principles of aerospace engineering, then take more advanced modules in materials, construction and testing to learn about aeronautical and manufacturing engineering.

In year 3 you will do an individual research project. In year 4 you’ll take part in a group design project.

You’ll get hands-on experience in our extensive facilities, which include:

• Dedicated student design studios and workshops
• The largest wind tunnel in any UK university
• New testing and structures research laboratory, part of the £48m National Infrastructure Laboratory
• Jet laboratory with supersonic ramjet, turbojet and rocket engine
• Professional manufacturing centre

As part of this course you can:

• Showcase your work in our annual Engineering Design Show
• Attend site visits to experience engineering in practice
• Apply your engineering knowledge to solve a real-world problem

You can take this course with an additional year-long, paid placement. Apply with UCAS code H44H for the Industrial Placement Year option.

On this MPhys degree you’ll explore photonics – the science of light – while deepening your knowledge in the core areas of physics. An unrivalled range of specialist modules will allow you to fine-tune skills that are in high demand in this well-paid, rapidly expanding industry.

We’re home to the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) - the largest photonics research institute in the UK.

We’re also the only UK university to offer an undergraduate physics degree with photonics and you’ll join a research community with a history of revolutionary discoveries. These include the optical fibres and amplifiers that make the internet possible.

Our direct link with the ORC, a global hub for photonics research, gives you a unique opportunity to explore all the possibilities in depth.

As part of your course you’ll also:

• Learn key skills in computer modeling, mathematics and statistical analysis
• Use the latest equipment in our physics and photonics labs
• Develop problem-solving skills to test theories and conduct experiments

Additionally, you’ll spend time in one of our research groups in year 4. Past projects have included holography, photosensitive materials, nanoscale x-rays, optical fibre and silicon photonics.

Discover the causes of conflict, instability and poverty. Explore democracy and justice in today's society. With our International Relations undergraduate degree, you'll learn both the theory and practice of global politics. You'll develop analytical, critical thinking and research skills. This course can lead to careers in national and global politics, think tanks, and more.

With our International Relations course you'll learn about the foreign and security policies of the major players in world politics. You'll study principal institutions such as the United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO).

You'll develop your critical thinking, and enhance your analytical and research skills, which are highly valued by employers.

You can also choose from a range of topics with a range of optional modules. For example, you can focus on the politics of the UK, the EU or the US, or study modules in criminology, economics or ethics.

As part of your degree you can:

• study global issues, like arms control, security, migration, and how they apply to different regions
• take part in public engagement activities and optional field trips to Whitehall and Westminster
• study abroad in Europe, the Far East or North America
• gain work experience with a year-long placement in industry

You'll develop transferable skills such as:

• effective oral and written communication
• problem-solving
• data analysis
• independent thought