Universities

[12dstring]

I'm hoping to study Astrophysics at university next year, but haven't quite made my final choice as to which one to apply for.
I was wondering if anyone here has studied this at university, or knows anyone who has, as I'd be interested in your thoughts and opinions.
I think Hertfordshire is my favourite at the moment, with the huge Bayfordbury observatory.

Thanks in advance,

[ajb]

I don't work on astrophysics myself, but I can tell you about some of the groups I have come across, some do astrophysics, cosmology, gravitational physics and astronomy.

1)Manchester; http://www.physics.manchester.ac.uk/
2)Cardiff; http://www.astro.cardiff.ac.uk/
3)Sussex; http://astronomy.sussex.ac.uk/

Of course you then have Oxford and Cambridge.

Google will give you more options, but the 3 I have listed are the only ones that I have had anything to do with.

[chuenmanc]

UCL does an Astrophysics course, and has an observatory in Mill Hill in N London.

[KendalAstronomer]

...and UCL offers a trip to an even better observatory in the third year, somewhere in France.

Queen Mary and Imperial also offer astrophysics, as well as Newcastle, Birmingham and a few more. It all depends on what type of course are you after, plus what type of university and area to live in etc.

[12dstring]

Ok... well based on their location, type of university, course, and my expected grades, I'd narrowed it down to and applied to these ones:
-Lancaster
-Hertfordshire
-Leicester
-Hull
-Kent

I've been accepted for them all, but need to make a final choice and an insurance in a week or so. I've sort of ruled out Hull and Kent, because I wasn't too keen on them. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of the courses to help me make that last choice.

[ajb]

David Lyth is at Lancaster. He is a well known cosmologist. I suggest you go there, but the choice is yours.

[cigarshaped]

While you prepare for the course you might consider buying some essential reading. A book that stands out as trend breaker is
The Electric Sky. Don't expect many lecturers to support Don Scott's ideas, unless they are more broadminded than most.
Chris

[Paul S]

While you prepare for the course you might consider buying some essential reading. A book that stands out as trend breaker is
The Electric Sky.

I wouldn't call that essential reading for an undergraduate. Far better to acquaint yourself with the established science. Then you'd be better prepared to understand and properly judge fringe theories.

[ajb]

Any news about which university you chose?

[beamer3.6m]

Not sure on what course is best but Hertfordshire is a nice University with a great library and research centre.

I come from hertfordshire originally and thought about it when I applied for Law.

Unfortunately I know nothing about astrophysics but I am sure a google search would throw up some ideas.