Astronomy

The Institute of Astronomy offers the opportunity to study for the PhD degree, for which the normal duration of study is expected to be three years. The format is almost exclusively research based, although students during their first two years attend a number of specialist courses on current research topics given by members of the Institute of Astronomy and Cavendish Astrophysics. PhD projects may be exclusively theoretical or observational but many combine aspects of both. It is normal for students to attend at least one relevant international conference during their three years of study, and most students working on observational research projects will normally undertake a number of observing trips (depending on the requirements of their project) to telescopes overseas. There is an induction programme, and a series of Graduate Lecture Courses, which students must attend. Training is given on observational and computational techniques and presentation skills.

There are usually 3-4 seminars per week available to Graduate Students during term time.

During the first year of research students will be expected to attend around 3 Graduate Lecture Courses (1 hour each) per week during the first 2 terms, these are not examinable.

During the first year of research students will be expected to attend 1 hour of journal clubs per week during term time.

Thesis

The degree of PhD is awarded primarily on the quality of a dissertation of not more than 60,000 words constituting a substantial contribution to original research.  The thesis is assessed critically by two examiners who then conduct an oral examination upon the subject of the thesis and the general field within which it falls.

Other

At the end of the first year students will be expected to complete a probationary review which consists of the submission of a report containing no more than 10,000 words. This will be reviewed by two internal assessors and followed by an oral examaination.

Requirements

• Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
• Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
• The Institute of Astronomy's minimum academic requirement for admission as a PhD student is the equivalent of a UK 2.i  four-year undergraduate honours degree (five-year from Scottish universities). However, competition for PhD places at the Institute is such that offers of admission are made almost exclusively to students who hold, or are expected to receive, a 1st class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject. If you are studying for a degree overseas and are unsure of its UK equivalent value, please contact admissions@ast.cam.ac.uk for advice.
• IELTS (Academic) 7.0
• TOEFL Internet Score 100
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• CV/Resumé
• Statement of Interests
• Personal Reference

Scholarships

• Gates Cambridge Scholarships
• Graduate Research Scholarship
• King's College Studentship