Top Universities for Astronomy in 2022-2023

Best global colleges and universities offering Astronomy programs

About Astronomy

Astronomy is the scientific discipline that studies the origin of the universe and how space objects such as solar systems, galaxies, stars, planets, and other celestial objects work. The scientists or experts who uncover the secrets of the universe and its objects using the principles of physics, mathematics, and chemistry are known as astronomers. Given that astronomy is one of the oldest scientific fields, it should come as no surprise that it is as vast as the Universe itself. 

Because astronomy is a technical subject, potential astronomers must possess qualities such as strong desire, curiosity, and motivation. This page discusses the top astronomy universities as well as the finest astronomy programs available at the best global universities. It also goes over the other aspects of being an astronomer briefly.

Duties performed by Astronomers

Although astronomers study planets, stars, and other celestial bodies, their activities vary widely based on their specializations. Some may use ground-based and space-based technology like optical telescopes to study distant galaxies and phenomena such as black holes and neutron stars. Others may monitor space debris that might cause problems for satellite operations. Let us discuss some prominent job responsibilities of astronomers to gain a better understanding of what they do:

• Collect and analyze data from observations of space and celestial bodies
• Maintain and store the collected data 
• Plan, create and execute hypotheses
• Conduct research to answer fundamental questions pertaining to space science 
• Write research articles on their research and findings
• Present findings to the public 
• Apply for grants and funding for research
• Collaborate with other astronomers, scientists, physicists, etc., to come up with new hypotheses
• Supervise other researchers and team members during project executions
• Prepare reports on the team’s activities and performance and suggest changes for improvement 

Popular degrees for pursuing a career in Astronomy

Depending upon their job type and position, astronomers may require a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or a doctoral degree. To advance their career in the administrative and managerial roles or to enter research and academia, a P.h.D and/or Post-Doctorate degree is a must. Few jobs even prefer candidates with multiple post-doctorate degrees in astronomy. Some universities require students to get a typical master’s degree in an astronomical subject before enrolling in a Ph.D. program, however direct admission to an astronomy P.h.D. program after earning a bachelor’s degree is also an option. Graduate programs in astronomy are extremely competitive, thus students should consider interning in astronomy labs, working on research projects with professors, or completing an undergraduate thesis project to improve their chances of acceptance.

Bachelor’s programs

• Bachelor of Physics 
• Bachelor of Astronomy
• Bachelor of Chemistry
• Bachelor of Applied Mathematics 
• Bachelor of Computer Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

Master’s programs

• Master of Astrophysics
• Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics 
• Master of Science in Astrophysics and Cosmology
• Master of Physics and Astronomy
• Master of Physical and Chemical Sciences

Doctoral programs

• P.h.D in Solar Astronomy
• P.h.D in Galactic Astronomy
• P.h.D in Radio Astronomy
• P.h.D in Cosmic Astronomy

Specializations in Astronomy

Astronomers can specialize in a range of subjects related to space and the universe including observational astronomy, solar astronomy, planetary astronomy, stellar astronomy, galactic  astronomy, cosmology, etc. Let us take a look at each of these in turn to develop a better understanding of them.

Observational astronomy: It is a field of astronomy that uses astronomical instruments to observe celestial objects to better understand the physical processes that lead to the appearance of supernovas, stars, and exoplanets. 

Solar astronomy: The focal point of this branch is the biggest star known to mankind, the Sun. It studies the characteristics of the Sun, such as its atmosphere, radiation, and solar winds, as well as how they affect life on Earth.

Planetary astronomy: The study of planets and planetary bodies like comets, asteroids, and moons comes under planetary astronomy. 

Stellar astronomy: This sub-category of astronomy studies the formation, evolution, and death of the stars in the universe. 

Galactic astronomy: It investigates the origin, formation, and motion of our Milky Way galaxy as well as other groups of galaxies spinning around the cosmos. 

Cosmology: This branch of astronomy is involved in determining the origin, evolution, and eventual downfall of the entire Universe. 

Astrophysics: It uses the principles of physics to understand the universe. 

Astrobiology: This sub-field is a mix of biology, astronomy, and geology that deals with the study of extraterrestrial life forms. It is further subdivided into fields such as plasma astrophysics, relativistic astrophysics, solar astrophysics, high-energy astrophysics, etc. 

Astrometry: It studies the position and motion of space objects including stars, planets, galaxies, etc. 

Astrogeology: Also known as exogeology or planetary geology, is a branch of geology that studies the geological features of celestial bodies and evaluates samples from them.

Duration of programs in Astronomy

A P.h.D in astronomy can last anywhere from four to seven years. In a research-oriented field like astrology, a P.h.D degree is usually followed by Post-Doctoral research degrees lasting anywhere between two to three years. 

Career opportunities in Astronomy

A career as an astronomer demands years of advanced study and in-depth research into the fundamental processes that control the universe. As a result, only applicants who are passionate about astronomy tend to stick around. Astronomers are hired by universities, government, and private institutions (such as observatories and space museums). Astronomy is oftentimes used as an umbrella term for various sub-specialties, therefore job titles may differ. The following is a list of career opportunities in astronomy:

• Astronomer
• Astrophysicist
• Climatologist
• Professor
• Aerospace Engineer
• Meteorologist
• Research scientist
• Writer/Journalist

Average salaries in the Astronomy Field

Since only the passionate candidates enter the field of astronomy, the job satisfaction in the field is high as compared to the other science fields. Job seekers with bachelor’s degrees in astronomy and related fields usually get employed as technicians and research assistants. Students with master’s and even bachelor’s degrees can go for federal government jobs. Tenure and permanent positions are highly competitive and are offered to candidates with P.h.D or Post-Doctoral degrees. Astronomers either work in a lab analyzing data, or they can undertake fieldwork to observe planets and stars using telescopes and cameras. Since astronomers spend a lot of time doing research, they are usually offered decent salaries. The following table contains a list of average salaries offered to astronomers in major countries. 

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Top 50 universities in the world for Astronomy based on subject rankings

Top universities in the USA for Astronomy

The world’s largest space agency, NASA offers a lot of job opportunities for prospective astronomers, even an undergraduate degree holder in astronomy can get an entry-level position at NASA. Therefore, a lot of international students keen on becoming astronomers choose to study in the USA. The majority of the universities ranked highest in astronomy by ranking agencies are from the USA. World-renowned USA universities such as Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, and the University of California – Berkeley offer Ph.D., master’s, as well as bachelor’s degrees in astronomy. These universities provide students with the opportunity to fully complete their astronomy studies starting from bachelor’s to doctorate. While other universities offer only bachelor’s and master’s degrees in astronomy.

Top universities in the UK for Astronomy

Surprisingly, the United Kingdom has a large number of observatories and planetariums that employ a significant number of astronomers from all over the world. To mention a few, there are the Airdrie Observatory, Alston Observatory, Astrocampus-University of York, Athenaeum Observatory, and so on. That’s why the UK is the best place to study astronomy. Plus, the top universities in the UK offer a variety of courses pertaining to astronomy, most of which offer undergraduate programs, and very few offer graduate programs in astronomy. Some of the most popular undergraduate programs in astronomy in the UK are

• BSc (Hons) In Astronomy And Mathematics
• BSc (Hons) In Astronomy, Space Science And Astrophysics
• BSc (Hons) In Planetary Science With Astronomy
• BSc (Hons) In Astrophysics 
• BSc (Hons) In Physics With Theoretical Astrophysics
• BEng (Hon) In Aeronautics And Astronautics

Top universities in Australia for Astronomy

Top universities in Germany for Astronomy

Germany is regarded as a cost-effective alternative for international study, and many German universities, unlike some other European colleges, offer English-language courses. Because of these qualities, Germany is one of the greatest destinations to study.  The following is a list of German universities which are popular for offering specialized master’s courses in astronomy. 

Top universities in the Netherlands for Astronomy 

Even a small country like the Netherlands offers a lot of programs in the field of astronomy. The following is a list of popular master’s programs in astronomy offered by Dutch universities:

• M.Sc. in Astronomy
• Astronomy And Cosmology
• Masters of Astronomy And Instrumentation
• Astronomy And Business Studies
• Masters In Physics And Astronomy – Particle And Astrophysics
• Physics And Astronomy (Joint Degree)
• Masters In Physics And Astronomy – Specialisation In Science In Society

There are a few colleges in the Netherlands that offer bachelor’s courses in astronomy and related fields.

Academic requirements for studying Astronomy

Because astronomy revolves around mathematics, physics, statistics, and chemistry, high school coursework emphasizing these areas are the first step in building the groundwork for astronomy studies. The modern research in astronomy nowadays involves computer programming and modeling, therefore, a solid background in mathematics specialties including calculus, statistics, and algebra, and excellent computer skills such as data analysis and modeling are a must. In addition, students should participate in research during their undergraduate studies; many universities provide summer research programs for aspiring astronomers. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also highly appreciated. This will undoubtedly increase their chances of admission. The following is a list of academic requirements as provided by some of the best universities in astronomy. 

Bachelor’s level

• A high school education with a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, including math, physics, and chemistry as core classes
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letter
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

Master’s level

• A bachelor’s degree in astronomy or a relevant field with a GPA of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale)
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• Work experience (highly recommended) 
• Research publications 
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

Doctoral level

• Honours or master’s degree in astronomy or a relevant field with a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) 
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• Work experience (highly recommended) 
• Research publications
• Personal interview 
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.