Postgraduate Courses in Astrophysics
20 January 2009: JBCA has 8 fully funded STFC fellowships to support PhD students in any area of astrophysics research. Students interested in being considered for one of these fellowships should apply using our online system as soon as possible.
- Introduction
- Research Facilities
- Postgraduate Research Projects
- Financial Support
- Accommodation
- How to find us
- How to apply
- Coursework
- FAQs
Introduction
The University of Manchester is home to the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (JBCA), by some measures the largest astrophysics group in the country. The group includes about 150 people, who are based either in the Turing Building on the University South campus; at Jodrell Bank Observatory (JBO), which lies 20 miles south of Manchester; or in the Sackville Street building on the University North campus. The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics is part of the University School of Physics and Astronomy.
The research interests of the JBCA span almost every area of astrophysics, from the Sun to the Big Bang and we are one of the world's most important centres for the technical development of radio telescopes and instrumentation. The JBCA is also responsible for the operation of the MERLIN and VLBI national facilities and the Lovell telescope; JBO is the operations centre for these facilities.
General information about Graduate study at the University of Manchester is available at the University Graduate Study Site. Further details of research projects can be obtained by contacting the members of staff responsible for the projects.
The University offers postgraduate courses in astrophysics providing a training in the methods of research together with the opportunity to participate in front-line research. There are three options for postgraduate studies:
- One year M.Sc. by teaching and research
- One-year M.Phil. by research
- Three-year Ph.D.
These courses are aimed at students with a good honours degree in Physics or a Physics-related subject such as Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Courses generally begin in mid-September, at the start of the academic year, although it is possible to start in January, April or July on courses other than MSc. Funding is available for a limited number of PhD places via STFC (Science and Techology Facilities Council) awards. See the finance and application sections for further information on funding and application procedures.
The M.Sc. course is suitable for students with good honours B.Sc. degrees, or with M.Sci. or M.Phys. degrees who have not studied astrophysics at fourth-year level and wish to transfer into the area. It consists of approximately six months of lectures and practical work, followed by a six month research project, leading to the degree of Master of Science by examination and thesis. A range of lecture courses are available which can be matched to your previous experience and the requirements of your research project.
The M.Phil. is suitable for students with fourth-year experience of astrophysics, and consists of a one year research project leading to the degree of Master of Philosophy by thesis.
Ph.D. students who have not studied astrophysics at fourth-year level are expected to take courses which cover the research topics they are working in, after which they will work full-time on their research projects. Students who hold an M.Sci. or M.Phys. in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics with some specialisation in astronomy will take only a small amount of coursework (e.g. a course on radio astronomy). Entry to the second year of the Ph.D. course is conditional on passing any coursework and submission of a satisfactory report at the end of the first year. The degree of Ph.D. is awarded following the submission of a thesis largely based on original work by the candidate. A good thesis should contain material suitable for publication. Candidates defend their theses in an oral examination conducted by external and internal examiners.
Students will be based in the Turing Building on the University South campus.
Research at The Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics
Artist's impression of the Square Kilometre Array. JBO is playing a major role in developing the SKA, which will be the most powerful radio telescope in the world.
Jodrell Bank is one of the world's leading centres for radio astronomy. In recent years, the research interests of the group have widened to encompass almost every area of astrophysics from star formation to the cosmic ray background and staff and students make full use of international facilities across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Radio Telescopes at Jodrell Bank Observatory
The prime research instrument is the Multi Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network, MERLIN. This is a unique radio interferometer system spanning 220 km, which is operated by Manchester University as a national and international facility for high resolution radio imaging on behalf of STFC. Over the next couple of years we will begin commissioning of e-MERLIN, a major upgrade of MERLIN which uses optical fibre links between the telescopes. This new system, together with the operation of the Lovell telescope at higher frequencies will increase the overall sensitivity at 6-cm wavelength by a factor of 30 (equivalent to a factor 1000 in observing time). Many of our new students beginning their postgraduate studies in the next couple of years can expect to be amongst the first astronomers in the world to have access to e-MERLIN data.
The MERLIN telescopes also operate regularly with overseas radio telescopes in very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI) experiments, where angular resolutions of one milliarcsecond or less are achieved. (One milliarcsecond is the angular size subtended by a man on the Moon).
The 76-m Lovell Telescope is one of the world's largest fully steerable radio telescopes. When it is not operating in MERLIN or VLBI it is used independently for pulsar observations, spectroscopy, and other programmes requiring high sensitivity. We have recently completed a major upgrade, funded from the government's Joint Infrastructure Fund, involving resurfacing the telescope and a consequent major increase in the sensitivity of MERLIN as well as standalone operations. The smaller MERLIN telescopes may also be used independently for high-frequency observations. In addition there are purpose-built antennas for studying the cosmic microwave background. These are located on Tenerife.
Our students also have access to international facilities (mostly overseas) covering other wavebands (optical, infrared, submillimetre etc.).
As well as the permanent staff, astronomers from around the world frequently visit Jodrell Bank for periods of days to months, to make observations, reduce data, or participate in technical and astrophysical collaborative projects.
Jodrell Bank hosts a number of major computing systems, including a 182 CPU cluster, a recently installed 36 Dual-Core CPU based cluster and many individual powerful workstations for offline data processing, all served by high-speed connections to the internet. Students have access to these systems should they require them for their projects, in addition to being allocated a PC for their normal computing requirements. We have a rolling programme of renewal of our student computing equipment.
Research Colloquia
Colloquia by visiting scientists are held weekly at Jodrell Bank during term-time. A less formal Journal Club provides a forum for staff, postdocs and students to present their recent work, report back from international conferences, and occasionalily review the literature! Typically several one- or two-day research workshops are held at Jodrell Bank each year. Students are expected to attend these events as part of their general astronomical education. Students may also be encouraged to attend particular lecture courses or astronomy workshops organized in Manchester.
Postgraduate Research Projects
Artist's impression of the recurrent Nova RS Oph, which last exploded on Feb 20 2006.
(Credit: David A Hardy, http://www.astroart.org and STFC)
Most of our research groups hope to take on at least one new student each year. Details of specific PhD and MSc projects for 2009 entry are available. Demand for students always exceeds supply and so it is usually safe to assume that there will be a project available in the area you want to work in, even if it has not been specifically listed.
Financial Support
UK research council funding (UK/EU students).
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) allocates us a quota of funded Ph.D. research studentships each year. We have 8 such stundentships for students starting in September 2009. Candidates for Research Studentships must have (or expect to obtain) a first or upper second class honours degree. UK or EU students may apply, however STFC studentships awarded to non-UK EU students only pay the tuition fees and do not provide a maintenance grant (currently at least £12,940 per year for UK students). There are no research council grants for students on the M.Sc. and M.Phil. courses. However, as a transfer course the M.Sc. is eligible for funding via a Career Development Loan, which UK students can apply for from their local Training and Enterprise Council.
We deal directly with UK research council funding as outlined above. For all other sources of funding, applying for funding and applying for admission are two separate processes that must be undertaken in parallel. We deal with admission applications but applying for any other source of funds is your own responsibility, although we can advise on funding if necessary; however, you should read the notes that follow first, and also the notes on fees and funding on the University postgraduate website.
Overseas Research Studentships (Non-EU students).
Overseas Research Studentships (ORSs) are awarded each year and pay the difference between the UK/EU fee (about 3000 pounds/year) and the overseas fee (about 12000 pounds/year). Successful candidates are normally awarded further bursaries which normally cover the remaining fee and some amounts of maintenance. The awards are made for PhD and very occasionally for MPhil study, but are not available for MSc courses. In rare cases of exceptional applicants support may be provided from School funds outwith the ORS scheme.
These awards are extremely competitive and the success rate is very low (below 10%). They also involve financial contributions from the School of Physics & Astronomy. In order to be given serious consideration you need to show in your application, as a minimum, that:
- you have a degree that is within the top 10% of degrees awarded in the country in which you have done undergraduate study. In the case of countries which divide degrees into classes (e.g. UK, India), this means a first-class degree, preferably at the 75% level or above. For the USA and similar systems, this means a grade-point average which is clearly in the top 10%. For US degrees a grade-point average normally 3.5 or above, and preferably 3.6 or above, is needed ;
- you have some experience, academic or otherwise, in astronomy, observational or theoretical astrophysics or techniques of radio or optical astronomy;
- you have some other indicators of distinction, for example, university prizes or published work in a refereed scientific journal;
- you have two referees, preferably of international standing in the particular research area, who are prepared to confirm the above.
Applications which require funding must reach us by early January.
Other funding
There are opportunities for part-time teaching in the Physics department in the form of maths tutorials or assistance in the teaching laboratories. These pay a maximum of 1500 pounds per year. There are no other teaching assistantships or other jobs available in the University which provide extra money over and above this amount.
Details of current fees and more on funding opportunities can be found on the University postgraduate website, and on the Prospects postgraduate website.
Accommodation
The University has a widevariety of accomodation available and Manchester also has a thriving private sector offering flats and houses for rent.
How to Find Us
The Turing Building is situated on the University South campus, just south of the Manchester City Centre, a 10-15 minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station. We are building number 46 on this Campus Map. The Sackville Street Building is building number 1, and JBO can be found by following these directions.
Applications
You can apply online; read the following notes first.
When to apply
Early application is advised. We normally start making offers for our quota of Science and Technology Facilities Council PhD studentships, for entry in September, in late February. For full consideration, applications, including referee forms, for STFC studentships should be submitted before February 15th.
In accordance with STFC rules, offers (made by us or any other institution) can be held until 31 March if the successful applicant so wishes. Applications with alternative sources of funding can be considered at any time.
See the funding section in these web pages and the Graduate School information page for further details about funding. If you wish for funding from any source other than a STFC Research Studentship (UK/EU) you must apply for it separately as well as filling in this application form.
The form
Please complete the application form carefully and fully. Your nationality should be that which is recorded in your passport. Please enclose details of any disability/special needs. This information will not prejudice your application but will be helpful in discussing whether the university facilities are sufficient to meet your needs. Contact the Disability Support Office for more information.
All graduate students are required to be proficient in the English language. Students whose first language is not English or who have studied at an institution where English is not the language of instruction should arrange to take the IELTS Test or the TOEFL test and either enclose their official score reports or send them to us as soon as they are available. Please note that on the IELTS test applicants are expected to score a minimum of 6.0 overall; on the TOEFL test a minimum of 550 is required on the paper test, 230 on the computer-based test or 88-89 on the internet-based test.. Applicants may be required, as a condition of admission, to undertake training in the English language.
What to include
It is important that the application returned to us is filled in completely and accurately. Referees' reports may be included in sealed envelopes with your application, or sent directly to us by the referees in the case of online applications. Although we try to reach decisions within a few weeks of receiving applications, consideration of applications may be delayed until the referees' reports arrive. You should enclose copies of your degree certificates and official transcripts, where appropriate. You should also include score reports for English Language tests. If you would like a written acknowledgement of your application, please enclose a stamped self-addressed postcard; otherwise acknowledgements will be sent by email. Any document enclosed which is written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation into English.
You do not need to send us a 1000-word account of the research you propose to undertake as specified in the Graduate Study website. It would however be helpful to us if you specify up to three areas of interest on the "areas of proposed research" part of the form; this is used to gauge demand for particular subject areas.
Coursework
Courses in astronomy and astrophysics are available to all registered postgraduate students who wish to attend them. The table below lists some of the courses available together with the credit ratings. Other courses in particle physics and nuclear physics are also available. Courses ending in 1 run from October-December, and 2 signifies February-May. (M) implies a course for the mathematically confident. Detailed syllabuses are available from the Physics Department Blue Book.
| Code | Course name | Credit rating |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS60151 | Radio astronomy | 15 |
| PHYS60211 | Frontiers of astrophysics | 15 |
| PHYS60261 | Gravitation (M) | 15 |
| PHYS60351 | Astronomy literature review | 20 |
| PHYS50411 | Techniques of radio astronomy | 15 |
| PHYS60361 | Radio technical project | 15 |
| PHYS60292 | The early universe (M) | 15 |
| PHYS60332 | Galactic dynamics | 15 |
| PHYS60031 | Interstellar Physics | 15 |
| PHYS60022 | Cosmology | 15 |
| PHYS50002 | Stars and stellar evolution | 15 |
| PHYS60052 | Molecular astrophysics | 15 |
MSc students take 60 credits of coursework as part of the degree. For MSc students, PHYS60151 is compulsory unless a similar course has been done elsewhere, PHYS60351 is compulsory and PHYS60211 is highly recommended. In addition to these we usually recommend students to take PHYS50411, although other courses may be taken, with the agreement of your supervisor.
PhD students with an MSci/MPhys degree take PHYS60351 and one other course, this will usually depend on your choice of project.
FAQs
- What are the minimum requirements for first degrees for entry to the postgraduate courses?
For UK students, the minimum requirement for the PhD is either an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject of 1st or 2.1 class, or a 2.2 class degree together with a Master's degree. The minimum requirement for entry to the MSc course is a 2.2 degree in a numerate discipline (normally a physical science), unless there are genuinely exceptional circumstances.
For non-UK degrees, the minimum requirement for direct entry to a PhD course is either a degree equivalent to a UK 2.1 or higher degree, or an undergraduate (BSc-level) degree with a Master's qualification in a relevant subject. Admission may be made at the University's discretion for degrees which do not fulfil these criteria, but in these cases the student will normally be registered initially for a Master's degree with change of registration to PhD contingent on satisfactory progress. (Note that the criteria for funding via a scholarship, as opposed to admission, are considerably higher due to the extremely competitive nature of the few available scholarships).
- Where do I stand if I have a degree in a science not related directly to physics (e.g. chemical engineering, computer engineering?)
For MSc courses or PhD courses funded other than by STFC quota studentships, we are happy to consider applications from any background involving a first degree in a numerate discipline. Students accepted on this basis should be aware, however, that a certain level of knowledge of physics and astronomy will be assumed in the course, and should familiarise themselves with the contents of the reading list before arrival. For STFC studentships we will consider all applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification, although students who have studied physics, mathematical physics, astronomy and astrophysics will have a distinct advantage.
- Do I have to (or: can I) choose a project before I arrive?
If accepted on to the postgraduate program, you do not have to choose a project until the end of October by which time you will have had a chance to talk in detail to potential supervisors. However, if you wish to agree a particular project with a project supervisor before you arrive there is no objection to this.
- Can I do the MSc part-time?
Yes, in principle. This takes two years, and the fees in each year are half the full-time fee. If you are accepted for a part-time MSc and are in employment we require a letter from your employer to the effect that you will be released for two days per week.
- Can I do the MSc by distance learning?
No, we do not offer distance-learning postgraduate degrees. We do have astronomy distance learning modules at a level which can contribute to a Cert H.E. however.
- If I am registered at another university, can I do a project of several months at Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics as part of my degree?
Any project undertaken would require you to receive the agreement of the potential supervisor to provide academic guidance during your stay, which you would need to negotiate individually. It would also require you to register as a visiting student at the University of Manchester, and pay tuition fees (currently about 3000 pounds/year for UK/EU students and 11000 pounds for non-EU nationals).
We do have a number of short-term positions currently available via the ANGLES programme, these are available to EU residents who are not currently resident in the UK and started their PhD studies less than four years ago.
Any problems, email us.
