MSc Astrophysics | Part-time
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Part-time, Distance learning
- Course duration:
- 2 Year
- Campus:
- City
About this course
This MSc in Astrophysics is delivered by world-leading Astrophysics researchers at Liverpool John Moores University and is designed to facilitate further postgraduate and PhD study.
- Access the two metre research-class robotic Liverpool telescope - designed and built by LJMU experts
- Learn from academics who are world-leading researchers
- Carry out original research in a wide range of areas
- Gain a qualification which facilitates continued study at PhD level
An ideal choice if you prefer the flexibility of studying remotely and gaining a Masters qualification by distance learning. Each module provides the opportunity to explore current literature, with support from experienced tutors, all of whom are engaged in cutting-edge astrophysical research. Many of the research topics are observational studies, which can be supported by access to the Liverpool Telescope, a two metre aperture research-quality robotic telescope, sited on La Palma in the Canary Islands.
The robotic nature of the telescope means that you do not travel to the telescope, but interact with it via a computer interface, giving unrivalled flexibility for studying rapidly changing objects in the night sky. This course is an excellent way to specialise and further your academic career in the exciting and dynamic astrophysics field.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Optional modules
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
This is a distance learning programme; thus, you will define your own particular study hours. The UK recommendation is to allocate 10 hours of study per credit on the course.
Teaching methods
You will learn through pre-recorded lectures, directed reading, focused literature review exercises, coursework assignments, student discussion groups and tutorials. All learning materials are delivered by LJMU's Virtual Learning Environment. You will have access to all the major astrophysical research journals and a carefully selected range of e-books to support your studies and extend your reading.
Applied learning
Access to The Liverpool Telescope means that you can put your learning into practice.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Most of the taught modules on this programme are assessed with a written examination.
Other assignments, designed to support your learning and check progression during the course of the module, may include: quizzes, short essays and critiques of scientific papers.
Other assignments, designed to support your learning and check progression during the course of the module, may include: quizzes, short essays and critiques of scientific papers.
The research project and dissertation are examined by both a written report and an oral presentation/interview. In most cases the oral interviews will be done via video link, though you may opt to come to Liverpool to do this in person.
Where you will study
Although this is a distance learning programme, you will be able to access the Liverpool Telescope, one of the world's largest robotic telescopes, which was designed, built and is now owned and operated by LJMU.
Course tutors
Prof Matt Darnley
Programme leader
The flexibility of this course allows us to welcome students from all different backgrounds and from around the globe. It's a privilege to introduce them to our research and our university.
The flexibility of this course allows us to welcome students from all different backgrounds and from around the globe. It's a privilege to introduce them to our research and our university.
Matt is the Programme Leader for the MSc Astrophysics programme, a unique course that allows students around the world to engage with the cutting-edge research of the Astrophysics Research Institute through a fully online Masters course. Matt completed his PhD in 2005 at the Astrophysics Research Institute and has a research background in observation and modelling of classical and recurrent novae. Matt's particular areas of interest relate to extreme and extragalactic recurrent novae, their remnants, and the link between novae and type Ia supernovae (a key cosmological distance indicator). Notable research highlights include measurement of the nova rate in the Andromeda Galaxy, the discovery of an annually repeating recurrent nova, and discovery and modelling of the nova super-remnant phenomenon. As well as being the Programme Leader, Matt leads the Time Domain Module on this course. This module includes novae - his own areas of expertise, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts. Matt is also the Head of Astrophysics Teaching, and has overall responsibility for all programmes delivered by the Astrophysics Research Institute.
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Professor -
Reader
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
This Astrophysics MSc programme is particularly focussed on preparing you for a research career in astronomy, astrophysics, space science or related disciplines. In these areas, entry to top-level research is almost always via the PhD route, and it is anticipated that most of the students taking this MSc will be interested in further study at PhD level and beyond. The ARI has a long-standing and healthy PhD programme and we are well-placed to help you in applying for PhD places on our own programme and in other institutions worldwide.
The MSc itself provides the opportunity for you to plan and complete a substantial programme of original research at the highest level. All projects should have the potential to result in papers in refereed journals.
Tuition fees and funding
- Part-time per credit:
- £54.65
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
Applicants who do not hold a degree in a relevant subject will be considered on their individual merits in relation to the programme. Professional experience, publications, CPD activities and other suitable evidence of accomplishment will be taken into account.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.