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Top Universities for Astronomy in 2022-2023

May 5, 2022

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. 

Country Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree Doctoral Degree Post-Doctoral Research Degree
USA and Canada 4 years 2 years 5-7 years 2-3 years
UK 3-4 years 1-2 years 4-7 years 2-3 years
Australia 3-4 years 1-2 years 4-7 years 2-3 years
Others 3-4 years 1-2 years 4-7 years 2-3 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. 

Country Average salary in USD*/year
USA 131,539 (Salary Expert)
Australia 111,364 (Salary Expert)
Canada 107,111 (Salary Expert)
Germany 99,666 (Salary Expert)
UK 87,654 (Salary Expert)

*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

EduRank Ranking QS Ranking US News Ranking University Country Bachelor’s Programs Master’s Programs
1 7 1 California Institute of Technology USA Click Here Click Here
2 3 2 Harvard University USA Click Here Click Here
3 4 4 University of Cambridge UK Click Here Click Here
4 6 3 University of California – Berkeley USA Click Here Click Here
5 8 8 Princeton University USA Click Here Click Here
6 151-200 10 University of Arizona USA Click Here Click Here
7 201-250 11 University of California – Santa Cruz USA Click Here Click Here
8 75 52 Durham University USA Click Here Click Here
9 10 12 University of Tokyo Japan Click Here Click Here
10 18 7 University of Chicago USA Click Here Click Here
11 59 22 Johns Hopkins University USA Click Here Click Here
12 1 9 Massachusetts Institute of Technology USA Click Here Click Here
13 34 31 University of Texas at Austin USA Click Here Click Here
14 12 41 University of California – Los Angeles USA Click Here Click Here
15 71 33 Pennsylvania State University USA Click Here Click Here
16 29 24 University of Maryland – College Park USA Click Here Click Here
17 34 25 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor USA Click Here Click Here
18 73 57 University of Colorado Boulder USA Click Here Click Here
19 70 16 Ohio State University USA Click Here Click Here
20 26 14 University of Toronto Canada Click Here Click Here
21 5 18 University of Oxford UK Click Here Click Here
22 64 26 University of Washington – Seattle USA Click Here Click Here
23 2 13 Stanford University USA Click Here Click Here
24 351-400 133 University of Leicester UK Click Here Click Here
25 103 123 National Autonomous University of Mexico Mexico Click Here Click Here
26 31 34 University College London UK Click Here Click Here
27 41 44 University of Manchester UK Click Here Click Here
28 24 55 Cornell University USA Click Here Click Here
29 16 30 Yale University USA Click Here Click Here
30 18 37 Columbia University USA Click Here Click Here
31 26 80 Kyoto University Japan Click Here Click Here
32 40 31 Australian National University Australia Click Here Click Here
33 61 55 University of Wisconsin – Madison USA Click Here Click Here
34 54 48 University of Amsterdam Netherlands Click Here Click Here
35 88 5 Leiden University Netherlands Click Here Click Here
36 45 20 University of Edinburgh UK Click Here Click Here
37 16 27 University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign USA Click Here Click Here
38 401-450 172 University of Liege Belgium Click Here Click Here
39 NA NA Paris Diderot University France Click Here Click Here
40 72 44 University of Sydney Australia Click Here Click Here
41 201-250 134 University of Virginia USA Click Here Click Here
42 86 17 University of Padua Italy Click Here Click Here
43 53 103 University of California-San Diego USA Click Here Click Here
44 31 19 Heidelberg University – Germany Germany Click Here Click Here
45 151-200 110 University of St Andrews UK Click Here Click Here
46 11 86 Imperial College London UK Click Here Click Here
47 151-200 47 University of Bonn Germany Click Here Click Here
48 25 35 University of California – Santa Barbara USA Click Here Click Here
49 201-250 75 University of Massachusetts – Amherst USA Click Here Click Here
50 201-250 67 Tel Aviv University Israel Click Here Click Here

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.

EduRank Ranking QS Ranking US News Ranking University Country Bachelor’s Programs Master’s Programs
1 7 1 California Institute of Technology USA Click Here Click Here
2 3 2 Harvard University USA Click Here Click Here
4 6 3 University of California – Berkeley USA Click Here Click Here
5 8 8 Princeton University USA Click Here Click Here
6 151-200 10 University of Arizona USA Click Here Click Here

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
EduRank Ranking QS Ranking US News Ranking University Country Bachelor’s Programs Master’s Programs
3 4 4 University of Cambridge UK Click Here Click Here
21 5 18 University of Oxford UK Click Here Click Here
26 31 34 University College London UK Click Here Click Here
27 41 44 University of Manchester UK Click Here Click Here
36 45 20 University of Edinburgh UK Click Here Click Here

Top universities in Australia for Astronomy

EduRank Ranking QS Ranking US News Ranking University Country Bachelor’s Programs Master’s Programs
32 40 31 Australian National University Australia Click Here Click Here
40 72 44 University of Sydney Australia Click Here Click Here

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. 

EduRank Ranking QS Ranking US News Ranking University Country Bachelor’s Programs Master’s Programs
44 31 19 Heidelberg University – Germany Germany Click Here Click Here
47 151-200 47 University of Bonn Germany Click Here Click Here

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.

EduRank Ranking QS Ranking US News Ranking University Country Bachelor’s Programs Master’s Programs
34 54 48 University of Amsterdam Netherlands Click Here Click Here
35 88 5 Leiden University Netherlands Click Here Click Here

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Astronomy is the study of objects in space such as planets, galaxies, stars, comets, and meteors, whereas astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that studies the laws of physics that govern these space objects, their formation, and evolution.

The study of the origin and development of the entire universe is referred to as cosmology. Astronomy is the study of celestial objects such as stars and planets in the universe. Cosmology is considered a sub-section of astronomy. 

Yes, astronomy is a small field, yet it is very popular. Since it is entirely a technical discipline, only those with a strong understanding of mathematics and physics should pursue it as a career.

Yes, since astronomers usually complete their terminal degrees (Ph.D. and Post-Doctorates), their pay tends to be high. For example, astronomers in the USA are paid an annual salary of 131,539 USD (Salary Expert). 

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