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Studies & Degrees in Astrophysics

Astrophysics applies physics to the study of astronomical objects and phenomena: planets, stars, galaxies, black holes and the universe as a whole. Where classical astronomy measures positions and movements, astrophysics asks how these objects form, what they are made of and how they change over time. Its evidence is light and other radiation collected by telescopes on the ground and in space, which is then compared with theoretical models and computer simulations.

In practice, an astrophysics student is a physics student with a specialism. The University of St Andrews describes its BSc in Astrophysics as approximately half core physics and mathematics and approximately half astrophysics. The first years cover mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, calculus, linear algebra and programming; later courses deal with stars, galaxies, cosmology and high-energy astrophysics. Students also learn to handle telescopes and detectors and to analyse large data sets, and they usually finish with a research project.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degrees. Some universities offer a named astrophysics degree; others teach it as a pathway inside physics. In the United Kingdom, the University of Bristol's BSc Physics with Astrophysics lasts three years full time, and the BSc in Astrophysics at St Andrews, in Scotland, lasts four years. Both state that they are accredited by the Institute of Physics. The University of Calgary in Canada awards a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics and uses its own Rothney Astrophysical Observatory in teaching. In Spain there is normally no separate bachelor's degree: students take a bachelor's degree (grado) in Physics, which at the Universidad de La Laguna has 240 ECTS credits and lasts four years, and specialise afterwards.
  • Master's degrees. This is where most specialisation takes place in continental Europe. The Máster Universitario en Astrofísica of the Universidad de La Laguna, on Tenerife, has 90 ECTS credits and lasts one and a half years. It offers three specialities (theory and computing, observation and instrumentation, and structure of matter) and includes visits to and use of the Teide and Roque de los Muchachos observatories. The master's programme in Astrophysics at Lund University in Sweden lasts two years (120 credits) and is taught in English.
  • Doctorate. Research careers require a PhD. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), physicists and astronomers typically need a Ph.D. for jobs in research and academia, and new doctors often start in a postdoctoral research position, typically for two to three years.

Admission to a master's programme normally requires a first degree in physics or a closely related field. Lund asks for a bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in physics or the equivalent. La Laguna addresses its master's mainly to graduates in Physics, but also in Mathematics and Engineering, and expressly to graduates of Ibero-American, European and other universities.

Where to study it

Our directory lists 30 schools for astrophysics: 13 in the United States, 6 in the United Kingdom, 3 in Spain, 2 each in Australia and France, and one each in Canada, Italy, Sweden and Germany. All of them are universities, because the subject depends on research groups and access to observatories.

In Spain, the listed universities are the Universidad de La Laguna, the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Universitat de Barcelona. In the United Kingdom they include the University of St Andrews, the University of Bristol, Cardiff University, the University of Kent and the University of Oxford; in the United States, the University of Chicago, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Penn State and the University of Michigan, among others; in Australia, the Australian National University and UNSW Sydney.

The language of instruction follows the country at bachelor's level. At master's and doctoral level English is common outside the English-speaking countries too, as the Lund programme shows; for programmes in Spain, check the language of each course with the university.

When comparing programmes, look at the research areas of the department, the telescopes and computing facilities students can actually use, and how much of the degree is core physics. A broad physics base keeps more doors open if plans change.

Careers

The research path is long and the number of posts is small. The BLS counts about 2,400 jobs for astronomers in the United States in 2025. It projects that overall employment of physicists and astronomers will grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. The largest employers are research and development organisations, the federal government and universities.

Many graduates use their training outside astronomy. La Laguna lists four profiles for its master's graduates: researcher, expert in computing (programming, numerical codes, simulation, supercomputing), expert in instrumentation and technology (detectors, optics, electronics, space projects) and teacher or science communicator. St Andrews mentions physics-based industry, the analysis of big data, and areas such as finance and management. UCLA states that its PhD recipients go on to careers in academia, government, industry and business.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between astronomy and astrophysics?

Astronomy is the wider study of celestial objects; astrophysics uses the laws of physics to explain how those objects form, work and evolve. In universities today the two terms largely overlap, and many departments use both in their name.

Can I study astrophysics as a bachelor's degree in Spain?

Normally not as a separate degree. The usual route is a bachelor's degree (grado) in Physics followed by a master's degree in astrophysics, such as the 90 ECTS programme of the Universidad de La Laguna.

Do I need a PhD to work as an astrophysicist?

For research and university posts, yes: the BLS states that a Ph.D. is typically needed for jobs in research and academia. Graduates with a bachelor's or master's degree work in computing, data analysis, instrumentation, teaching and science communication.