Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics

  Admission requirements | Study programme | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

The field of astronomy is currently gaining importance worldwide, fuelled by technological developments. New generations of instruments, situated on the earth’s surface and in space, enable astronomers to study the origin, the structure, and the evolution of planets, stars, star systems, and the universe. Over the coming decades, astronomy will undoubtedly play a prominent role in international basic research. The Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics programme offers a wide range of courses on the subfields of astronomy and on its research methodology. Special attention will be devoted to the analysis and astrophysical interpretation of data, as well as to technological aspects of international astronomical research.

Upon successful completion of this programme, students will have acquired:

• Thorough insight into various aspects of astronomy
• Insight into the sciences contributing to astronomy
• A critical research attitude developed through gradual training
• The ability to define and formulate strategies to study complex questions
• The ability to integrate technological developments in basic research
• The ability to construct simple numeric and physical-mathematical models to study data within a theoretical framework

Admission requirements

To the definitive admission requirements
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Study programme

The Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics programme consists of 120 credits (European Credit Transfer System - ECTS), divided over two years. In the first year, theoretical courses provide a solid foundation for further study, while students develop their research skills by undertaking a research project. The second year includes the Master’s thesis, i.e. an extensive written report of research conducted in one of the Department’s astronomy research groups.

To a detailed overview of the programme

Assets

The Institute of Astronomy conducts research on stellar astrophysics. A particular area of expertise is asteroseismology, the field that studies the internal structure of stars (massive stars, red giants, blue subdwarfs) through the observation and theoretical interpretation of their oscillation spectra. Early and late evolutionary phases of single and binary low-mass stars are investigated, with a particular focus on the interaction of stars with their circumstellar environments. The institute is involved in the development and exploitation of instrumentation, both ground-based and space-based.

Career prospects

A research-oriented Master’s programme in Astronomy and Astrophysics is essential in ensuring high-quality astronomy research. Graduates will have a competitive advantage when applying for a PhD, either locally or abroad, and the skills they acquire will also prepare them for research careers in a broad range of professional environments.

Registration fee

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Motivated and talented international students, interested in participating in an international master programme of the Faculty of Science of the KU Leuven are invited to apply for a scholarship.

More information

Visit this programme's website

If you have other questions, contact:

Administrative Office
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
E-mail

Application