Astrophysics and Human Geography

At Keele University, we’re different. Nestled in 600 acres of countryside in the heart of the UK, we have a big campus but a small and cosmopolitan community. We’re proud to be ‘University of the Year for Student Experience’ in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017, in addition to having been ranked No.1 in the National Student Survey 2014-2016. This is because it’s more than green and lovely, it’s a place of research and academic excellence too.

At Keele, studying a combined honours degree will include some modules from both of the single honours degrees. In this case, your programme will be made up of a combination of modules from both Astrophysics and Human Geography.

Astrophysics at Keele is consistently rated highly in the National Student Survey (No. 1 for Physics/Astronomy in 2016 and 2017, with 100% satisfaction). Combining Astrophysics with Human Geography allows you to continue following your interests across a broader, multidisciplinary landscape, whilst still providing the core knowledge and skills leading to a degree that is accredited by the Institute of Physics.

Astrophysicists seek to understand the universe, from its smallest constituents to the largest possible scales. The language of the universe is physics and mathematics; Astrophysics students study these, along with computational and statistical techniques, and apply their skills to tackling problems as diverse as stellar interiors, black holes and the evolution of the universe itself.
Taking Astrophysics as part of a Combined Honours degree, you will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of physics and the essential ability to plan investigations, analyse results and present your work. Regular laboratory sessions, including access to our on-campus observatory, enable you to investigate unfamiliar phenomena and develop valuable transferable skills such as scientific writing and programming.

This highly interdisciplinary course provides you with a strong theoretical and practical background in Human Geography giving you the understanding and skills to explore an array of world issues from different perspectives. Our course offers zero-cost options for overseas field courses, exceptional staff support for students, and is ranked Top 10 in The Guardian University Guide 2018.

The Human Geography course will take you to fascinating fieldwork destinations in the UK and overseas, where you’ll add to your growing skills in understanding and influencing the way humans relate to the environment. In the lab, the field and the archive, you’ll explore the characteristics, diversity, interdependence and changing nature of places. You’ll understand the applications and possibilities Human Geography provides in solving problems, creating wealth and improving quality of life. You’ll collect and analyse spatial, social and environmental data, and become familiar with industry standard GIS software for analysing, visualising and integrating that data.

As part of a Combined Honours degree, Astrophysics at Keele will prepare you for many different careers. Employers value numerate, versatile graduates who can analyse, investigate and communicate. You could take up roles as a research scientist, medical physicist, or enter the space, telecommunications or nuclear industries.

In addition to providing very specific human geography skills, this course will enhance your abilities in communication, make you proficient in various methods such as GIS or primary data collection, and develop your creativity in problem solving.
This will all be invaluable as you address social, environmental, ethical and global problems as part of your studies or in the world of work. You might go on to work as a planning and development surveyor, logistics manager, residential surveyor, town planner, international development worker, transport planner or market researcher.