Astronomy and Astrophysics

Want to participate in a globally thriving discipline constantly enjoying new technological developments? Taking advantage of a new generation of terrestrial and space-based instruments, the MSc in Astronomy and Astrophysics digests new discoveries concerning the origin, structure, and evolution of planets, stars, star systems, and the universe, and uses them as your textbooks. 

This programme pays special attention to both the analysis and astrophysical interpretation of data and to the technological side of astronomical research, and thus prepares you to be a competitive candidate in the international PhD circuit. Since astronomy and astrophysics are certain to occupy a prominent place in international fundamental research in the coming decades, why not investigate KU Leuven's broad range of courses on astronomical subdisciplines and makes this future yours as well? With astronomy, the sky is not the limit.

The Master of Science in Astronomy and Astrophysics programme offers a wide range of courses on the subfields of astronomy and on research methodology. Special attention will be devoted to the analysis and astrophysical interpretation of data, as well as totechnological aspects of international astronomical research.

Upon successful completion of this programme, students will have acquired:

• thorough insight into various aspects of astronomy;
• insight into the sciences contributing to astronomy;
• a critical research attitude developed through gradual training;
• the ability to define and formulate strategies to study complex questions;
• the ability to integrate technological developments in basic researcht;
• the ability to construct simple numeric and physical-mathematical models to study data within a theoretical framework.

This is an initial Master's programme and can be followed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Master's Thesis

Basic Courses

• Research Projects
• Stellar Structure and Evolution
• Galaxies and Cosmology
• Observational Techniques in Astronomy
• Relativity
• Radiation Processes in Astronomy
• Observational Astrophysics: Proposal Preparation
• Research Projects in Theoretical Astrophysics
• Research School in Observational Astronomy

Supplementary Courses

• Introduction to Plasma Dynamics
• Planetary Systems
• Binary Stars
• Star Formation
• Stellar Atmospheres and Stellar Winds
• Interstellar Matter
• Theory of Nucleosynthesis
• Plasma Physics of the Sun
• Computational Methods for Astrophysical Applications
• Asteroseismology
• Specialised Topics in Astronomical Techniques
• Space Weather
• Theoretical Seismology
• Physics of Planets
• High-Energy Astrophysics
• Early Universe Cosmology
• Science Communication & Outreach
• Science and Sustainability

Requirements

• Bachelor of Engineering Science
• Bachelor of Bio-Engineering Science
• Bachelor of Chemistry
• Applicants with a Belgian diploma: these applicants do not have to take an English proficiency test.
• Applicants with a university degree earned in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the USA: the certified diploma and transcripts suffice, provided they confirm that the entire university study was completed in English. Absolutely no other diplomas will be accepted as evidence even if the applicant has followed an exclusively English-taught programme.
• Other applicants should submit a satisfactory score on an internationally recognized test of English language proficiency: TOEFL (minimum score 94 internet-based with at least 19 for reading, 18 for Listening, 19 for speaking and 21 for writing) or IELTS (minimum score 7 overall, whilst at least 6,5 for reading, 6 for listening, 6 for speaking and 6 for writing).
• Certified copies of transcripts and diplomas are required for all applicants. These documents also suffice for applicants from
  * universities that have an exchange agreement with the Faculty of Science of KU Leuven
  * universities that are in the global top 200 in the most recent Times Higher Education or QS rankings
• A complete list of course titles for which you have obtained a credit should be part of this. Indicate the course size (in ECTS-credits) and the result you obtained, preferably according to the ECTS-scale; if a different scale is used, please provide an summary explanation on the meaning of the scores.
• For the courses that you deem most relevant as a preparation for the master that you are considering, provide a short (about one half to one page) description according to the standard guidelines for an ECTS-study guide.

Scholarships

• Master Mind Scholarships