Physics and Astrophysics Undergraduate Programmes for 2020 Entry 2020 Entry | Page 22

22 | PHYSICS AND ASTROPHYSICS
Careers in Physics and Astrophysics
As we become steadily more dependent upon science and technology in our daily lives, and as
governments continue to invest heavily in the most basic of “blue-skies” research with facilities
like the LHC or large, multinational ground- and space-based telescopes, it is vital that leaders
in industry, commerce and politics have awareness and an understanding of the fundamentals.
A degree in Physics will equip you with these, and with the knowledge and skills to undertake
a wide range of careers besides. A degree in Astrophysics from Keele is designed to provide you
with the same underlying essentials.
Typically, around 40% of Physics and
Astrophysics BSc graduates in the
UK choose to continue studying and
training for Masters or PhD degrees or
other professional qualifications (e.g., in
education), while another 40% or so find
graduate-level employment within six
months of obtaining their degrees. Those
who enter employment directly are, on
average, among the highest-paid of all
undergraduate degree holders, alongside
graduates from Economics, Engineering,
Mathematics and Computer Science. The
chart on the facing page illustrates the
great variety of employers who actively
seek Physics and Astrophysics graduates.
In such a diversified jobs market,
the scope and the appeal of Keele
graduates are further reinforced by the
interdisciplinary nature of our degree
structures. In line with the national profile,
many of our students do proceed to study
for Postgraduate Certificates in Education
or Masters and research PhD degrees in
Physics or Astrophysics, at universities
throughout the UK. But, again in keeping
with the general trend, many others of
our graduates go on to employment in
technology and industry, management,
business and finance. A few of their recent
destinations include the law firm Dehns,
the defence and aerospace multinationals
Qinetiq and BAE, and the medical
technology company Elekta.
The widespread interest from beyond
academia in Physics and Astrophysics
graduates comes down to the fact that
the most basic skills needed to do well
in these degrees are precisely those that
all employers value: namely, practice
and efficiency in generic problem-solving
with creative thinking backed by logical
reasoning. These are then supplemented
by advanced numeracy and mathematical
acumen; proficiency with experimental
methods; experience of working both
independently and in teams; and
familiarity with a range of communications
and information technology.
We are keenly aware of both the real-
world and the academic expectations
of the Physics and Astrophysics
programmes at Keele. As well as
rigorously developing the fundamental
principles of the subjects, our courses
aim explicitly to cultivate in our students
a set of specific intellectual skills that are
transferable to employment: hence, our
emphasis at various points throughout the
degrees on problem-solving sessions, lab
and project work done individually and
in small groups, elements of research,
written reports and oral presentations. We
also offer very specific careers guidance
for our second and third years in the form
of specialised careers talks and visits from
some of our previous graduates who are
now working in industry and research.
Keele more broadly provides careers
advice and other services to all
undergraduates at the University. These
are part of a comprehensive plan of
academic and extracurricular activities
available to help all Keele students
develop a strong set of general intellectual
and practical skills, and then convey
these attributes to employers when they
graduate. To learn more about this, you
may wish to visit keele.ac.uk/journey
Accreditation of Keele BSc degrees
All of our Combined Honours degrees in
either Physics or Astrophysics, with any
choice of second subject, are accredited
by the Institute of Physics (IOP),
incorporating, the full Core of Physics
curriculum defined by the IOP.
keele.ac.uk/physics
The Single Honours degrees, which
commenced recently, also include all of
this material and are in the process of
accreditation. Graduates of accredited
BSc degrees in the UK are eligible for
Associate Membership of the IOP.
After a period of relevant post-degree
experience and professional development
they can apply for Full Membership and,
eventually, for Chartered Physicist status.