Education

Fuelled by technological developments, the field of astronomy is currently gaining importance worldwide. New generations of instruments, situated on the earth's surface and in space, enable astronomers to study the origin, structure, and 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.

The Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics is an initial Master's programme. You can follow this programme on a full-time or part-time basis.

Profile

The Master's programme builds on the curriculum of the Bachelor's programme. Students who have obtained Bachelor's degrees in physics or other disciplines within the Faculty of Science and who have previously completed coursework equivalent to the courses listed below are eligible for direct admission into the programme:
General Physics (G0N29A and G0N94A and G0P28A)
Statistics (G0N34A or G0N11A)
Mathematics (G0N02A and G0O17C or G0N26A and G0N84A)
Statistical Thermodynamics (G0P26A) or Chemical Thermodynamics (G0O31A)
Introduction to Astronomy (G0M00A or G0P41A)

For specific admission requirements, click on the desired programme in the 'Choose your courses of study' section.

Objectives

This Master's programme is strongly connected to research in astronomy and astrophysics and aims to prepare the students for research in this area.

At the end of this study the student will have acquired:
- thorough insight into several aspects of astronomy;
- insight into the sciences that contribute to astronomy;
- a good research attitude through gradual training;
- the ability to define and formulate a strategy to study a complex question;
- the ability to integrate technological developments in fundamental research;
- the ability to make simple numeric and physical-mathematical models to study data within a theoretical framework.

After graduation

A research-oriented Master's programme in astronomy and astrophysics is essential to 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.

Information sessions

KU Leuven organises a Verderstudeerbeurs each spring. In addition, faculties also organise information sessions for many of their bridging and graduate programmes.

All information sessions for (future) Master's students

Spotlight

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 both ground-based and space-based instrumentation.

Contact

Faculty of Science
Programme director
Prof. dr. C. Waelkens
Tel. +31 16 32 70 36 or +32 16 32 70 27
christoffel.waelkens@ster.kuleuven.be
Administrative Office
Geel Huis
Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 bus 2100
3001 HEVERLEE
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
info@wet.kuleuven.be

General information

Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website.

Useful links

Visit this programme's website

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.