Masters degrees in Astronomy involve the advanced study of celestial bodies and phenomena such as planets, stars, and meteorites. On these courses, students learn to use techniques from Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science to monitor and model those celestial entities.
Related postgraduate specialisms include Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as Physics or Computer Science.
Astronomy is the oldest of the natural sciences, spanning a large portion of the history of civilisation. Its aim is to understand the origins and evolution of the universe, celestial objects and related phenomena. This includes an analysis of meteorites, moons, planets and galaxies, along with events such as comets, supernova explosions, gamma ray bursts, and background radiation.
You’ll be trained in methods such as statistics, computational algorithms and particle theory, using them to explore topics like the formation of stars. Technology also plays a key role in these courses, and you will likely experiment with telescopes and satellites designed to observe objects outside of our Solar System.
Careers in this field are extremely broad, though many astronomers may be employed in national observatories and government laboratories. Other careers include work within the aerospace industries, or even the civil service.
