Kayleigh Richardson MPhys Physics, 2016

“I really wanted to study Physics at the University of Southampton because the department has such a great reputation - plus the Campus is stunning! It seemed like a great setting in which to study and do research.

The astrodomes on the roof are a real highlight and always fun to work in. Lab equipment and computers are readily available and the staff are friendly and helpful too

Fantastic facilities
“The facilities in the Physics and Astronomy department are excellent - very modern, clean and welcoming with well-equipped labs. The astrodomes on the roof are a real highlight and always fun to work in. Lab equipment and computers are readily available and the staff are friendly and helpful too.

“The most exciting aspect of my degree is the research, as I feel like I’m contributing relevant work to the most up-and-coming areas of science. Doing a Masters year has allowed me to tailor my work to an area of research that really interests me and do something that has never been done before.

Quality research
“I am really excited to have had the opportunity to contribute real research to the world of astrophysics with my final year research project. I am using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to study the coevolution of active supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. This is a very hot topic and an area of astrophysics which we still don’t know much about, but by pushing the boundaries we can understand more and more of how the universe came to be as it is today. We may even be able to help the human race continue to thrive in the future, whatever planet we end up on!

“There are also optional modules available to us outside of physics, such as geography, chemistry or even music and students really benefit from the cross-curricular point of view.

Social options
“There are so many social activities available at Southampton it is easy to discover something that you become passionate about. I have served on the committee of a Performing Arts Society and singing in concerts with the University’s largest choir has been an amazing experience.

“I would really recommend Physics and Astronomy at Southampton - the department is very welcoming, it is easy to settle in quickly and feel you belong, and both the department and the campus are a great setting in which to study.”