Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jun 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 7,771 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EEA fee
Introduction
Register for the Webinar of your preferred study programme, or a general Webinar about student life, financials and housing, and applications at KU Leuven. You’ll find students happy to discuss their experiences living and learning at KU Leuven and staff ready to answer all your questions.
Register Here.
Taking advantage of generations of terrestrial and space-based instruments, the Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics trains students to study the origin, structure, and evolution of planets, stars, star systems, and the universe itself.
The Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics is a two-year program consisting of 120 ECTS credits.
- First year: theoretical courses provide a solid foundation for further study, while you develop your research skills by undertaking a research project
- Second year: you work on your master's thesis, as front-line research is typically conducted within one of the research groups. Attention is devoted to the analysis and astrophysical interpretation of data and models, as well as to technological aspects of international astronomical research.
Astronomical research and education have a distinct international and multidisciplinary character. The emphasis is on developing and applying research methodologies to collect, analyze, and interpret astronomical observations in the context of astrophysics. Technological as well as computational and theoretical aspects are extensively covered. Thanks to new generations of instruments on the Earth's surface and in space, you can adequately study the origin, structure, and evolution of planets, stars, galaxies, and the universe. Astronomy therefore retains a central place in international fundamental research.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will have acquired:
- A thorough insight into various aspects of astronomy
- A developed understanding of the various sciences contributing to astronomy
- A critical research attitude
- The ability to define and formulate strategies to study complex questions
- The ability to integrate technological developments into basic research
- The ability to construct simple numeric and physical-mathematical models to study data within a theoretical framework
Program Strengths
KU Leuven situates itself as a leader in astronomical research in Flanders, among other things by being the only Flemish university to offer a full master's degree in astronomy. The master's program has an international focus and attracts students from many different countries.
Thanks to an extensive network of national and international collaborations, our researchers have access to large-scale modern instruments within the framework of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Moreover, thanks to KU Leuven, Flanders has its own professional Mercator telescope at the La Palma International Observatory, which master students can use during their training. Large-scale numerical models in the context of projects or the master thesis can be simulated on the KU Leuven Genius supercomputer with more than 8000 cores.
You obtain a broad formation in astronomy and astrophysics with strong attention to transferable skills and personal development. The curriculum is research-oriented and the master’s thesis is always well embedded into the actual research of the research groups at the Institute of Astronomy.
Curriculum
Master's Thesis
- Master's Thesis
Basic Courses
- Research Projects
- Stellar Structure and Evolution
- Galaxies and Cosmology
- Observational Techniques in Astronomy
Remediation Courses
- Radiation Processes in Astronomy
- Introduction to General Relativity
Research Projects
- Observational Astrophysics: Proposal Preparation
- Research Projects in Theoretical Astrophysics
- Research School in Observational Astronomy
Supplementary Courses
General Courses
- Introduction to Plasma Dynamics
- Planetary Systems
- Binary Stars
- Relativity
- Star Formation
- Stellar Atmospheres and Stellar Winds
- Interstellar Matter
- Theory of Nucleosynthesis
- Data Analysis in Astronomy and Physics
Specialized Courses
- Plasma Physics of the Sun
- Computational Methods for Astrophysical Applications
- Asteroseismology
- Specialized Topics in Astronomical Techniques
- Space Weather
- Theoretical Seismology
- Physics of Planets
- High-Energy Astrophysics and Gravitational Wave astrophysics
- Early Universe Cosmology
Science, Education, and Society
- Science Communication and Outreach
- Science and Sustainability: a Socio-Ecological Approach
- Wetenschappen voor een inclusieve samenleving
Research Option
General Courses
- Introduction to Plasma Dynamics
- Planetary Systems
- Binary Stars
- Relativity
- Star Formation
- Stellar Atmospheres and Stellar Winds
- Interstellar Matter
- Theory of Nucleosynthesis
Specialized Courses
- Plasma Physics of the Sun
- Computational Methods for Astrophysical Applications
- Asteroseismology
- Specialized Topics in Astronomical Techniques
- Space Weather
- Theoretical Seismology
- Physics of Planets
- High-Energy Astrophysics and Gravitational Wave astrophysics
- Early Universe Cosmology
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 120 ECTS
- Degree Type: Master
- Specifications: Master of Science.
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly-ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Accreditations
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Many astronomers conduct research through a doctoral program at local and international universities or scientific institutions such as the Royal Observatory of Belgium and the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy. International organizations such as ESO and ESA can also become your employer.
In addition, as an astronomer you will also find your way in the computer science sector, the image processing and visualization sector, telecommunications, air traffic control, science journalism, education ...
Further Studies
Do you want to continue your studies after getting your Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics? The Master of Artificial Intelligence trains a wide variety of students in all areas of knowledge-based technology and the wider application of that technology across multiple fields, including in the development of intelligent robots.