School of Chemical and Physical Sciences brochures Physics Astrophysics brochure 2019 | Page 24

24 | 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.