Astronomy

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Unsplashed background img 2

Deze opleiding

!Deze opleiding communiceert alleen in het Engels.
We tonen daarom de Engelstalige opleidingsinformatie.
Would you like to explore the most fundamental questions in the universe? Or learn about the formation of stars and planets, or the evolution of our Milky Way? Do you want to learn all there is to know about building large telescopes and the data science behind them? A Master's degree in Astronomy is a gateway into a wide world of science and technology.

open_in_newstudy website

locatieGroningen
diplomaMSc
typeregulier, 120 EC
start1 februari, 1 september
taalvolledig English
opleidingsduur2 jaar voltijd
accreditatiesNVAO
croho-code60200
numerus fixusnee
honoursheeft honours track

Students are trained by astronomers from the world-renowned Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, a centre leading in astronomical research on the structure and dynamics of our Milky Way, on the structure and dynamics of galaxies, galaxy formation and evolution, cosmology and large scale structure of the Universe and star and planet formation, and in the design and development of new astronomical instrumentation.

Astronomy research has been carried out at Groningen University since 1883, and Groningen astronomers belong to the top of the world. They have been heavily involved in the construction and use of the Westerbork radio telescope (WSRT). Currently, they play a key role in the development and use of the LOFAR network of radio telescopes and the future Square Kilometer Array, while leading the development of instruments for the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) in Chile. They also have key roles in space projects, such as leading the developments of the HIFI detector in the Herschel satellite, the data processing center of the upcoming Euclid cosmology satellite, while having a leading role in the Gaia satellite mapping of our Milky Way.

The two-year curriculum of the Master's degree can be tailored according to your own interests and capabilities. The wide range of options include the possibility to focus on observational astronomy, theoretical astronomy, astronomical instrumentation and informatics, as well as data science.

Dutch Astronomy graduates in general, and Kapteyn graduates in particular, have excellent career prospects, within and outside of science. The Master's programme has been frequently voted as a top-degree Astronomy programme in the Netherlands. We have outstanding facilities, and the quality of the lecturers, the research component as well as the preparation for the professional field through e.g. internships are also very good.

To enable students to gain additional experience in business and economics as well as to follow a company internship, the special Master's track 'Science, Business and Policy' has been designed.

Waarom aan de RUG?

  • Close connections with ASTRON and SRON
  • Specialization on instrumentation and informatics possible
  • Excellent facilities at your disposal
  • A vibrant international research environment.
  • Our Faculty is the home of Ben Feringa, who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and Frits Zernike, a Nobel Prize winner in Physics.

Studieprogramma

Unsplashed background img 2
opbouw2-year programme; credits per year: 60 ECTS; most courses are 5 ECTS.
periode

tracks

track Quantum Universe: Theoretical and Observational Astronomy

The Theoretical and Observational Astronomy master is jointly organized with Physics and Mathematics in the Quantum Universe track.

It comprises 60 ECTS of coursework. 20 ECTS are spent on Advanced Astrophysics, and 20 ECTS are spent in joint courses such as General Relativity and Electrodynamics of Radiation Processes. The last 20 ECTS are optional courses.

The research project (Master's thesis) comprises 60 ECTS and is carried out under the supervision of the research groups at the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6391

track Quantum Universe: Instrumentation and Informatics

In the Instrumentation and Informatics track, you follow a number of courses aimed at supplying you with skills dealing with astronomical instrumentation and informatics.

The research is split into 40 ECTS worth of Master's research/thesis and 20 ECTS for an industrial research project, as well as 60 ECTS of coursework which includes a substantial component (40 ECTS) of instrumentation and informatics courses. The research work is carried out under the supervision of a staff member from the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute (including affiliated staff members from SRON and ASTRON, see below), and often in interaction with his or her research group, resulting in Master's thesis of high international standard.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6391

track Science, Business and Policy

Interested in the business side of science? You can combine this Master's programme with the Science Business & Policy profile. The SBP profile includes a six-month internship as a scientific advisor.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6390

track Quantum Universe: Data Science and Systems Complexity

As part of this new specialization you must take a number of courses in Data Science.

Modern astronomy deals with big data, and this specialization supplies you with skills which are also highly demanded in other sciences as well as in society and business.

For the complete curriculum, please see: https://www.rug.nl/ocasys/rug/vak/showpos?opleiding=6391

Onderwijs

taal van onderwijs100% en
onderwijsopzet20% zelfstudie
20% theorie
60% praktijk
avondonderwijsn.v.t.
afstandsonderwijsn.v.t.
study abroad
Exchange: All our science and engineering programmes offer study abroad possibilities at a number of partner institutions. Our partners include top-100 universities in Europe (for example in Germany, UK, and Sweden) and in the USA, China, South-East Asia, and South America. Our exchange programmes have a typical duration of one semester and count toward your final degree.
honours-/excellence program HTSM Honours Master

This Master's degree programme gives access to the additional, highly selective, High Tech Systems and Materials (HTSM) Honours Master.

The HTSM Honours Master is organized in cooperation with Philips and other major industry partners.

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

1 februari 2024

aanmelding deadline : 15 oktober 2023
collegegeld nog niet bekend

1 september 2023

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2023
wettelijk tarief : € 2314 (€1157 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 17000
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 20700

1 september 2024

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2024
collegegeld nog niet bekend

toelatingseisen

vooropleiding
Bachelor's degree in Astronomy; possible admission for a Bachelor's degree in Physics or Applied Physics.

Information about admission possibilities and requirements for students from a Dutch HBO institute is published on: https://www.rug.nl/fse/msc-admission

studie kosten
bron: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
bedrag kostenpost
€ 9500levensonderhoudper jaar
€ 75inschrijvingsgeldin het eerste jaar
€ 920studiematerialenper jaar
€ 750visa/permitvoor de gehele opleiding

estimated monthly costs

bron: Nibud
bedragkostenpost
303kamerhuur in Groningenrond het landelijk gemiddelde
22internet+tv
152boodschappen/kostgeld
32telefoon
117verzekeringen
172collegegeldop basis van € 2060 per jaar
80studieboeken en -spullen
29drinken/snoep/snacks
77uiterlijkkleding, kapper, schoenen
30contributies/abonnementen
132vrije tijdstappen, uit eten, vakantie
42vervoernaast de OV-kaart
45overig

€ 1171totale maandelijkse uitgaven landelijk gemiddelde is € 1181
Hiernaast staat een overzicht van de gemiddelde kosten die een uitwonende student heeft. Niet iedere student heeft met iedere kostenpost te maken. Het totaalgemiddelde is dus niet gelijk aan de optelsom van alle kostenposten.

Bekijk ook de uitgebreide toelichting: wat kost studeren?

Studenten en studentenleven

studentaantallen

37 studenten volgen deze opleiding
24% daarvan is vrouw
5 eerstejaars gestart in 2017
40% daarvan is vrouw
29331 studenten aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
51% daarvan is vrouw
bron: StudieData

studievereniging

Sirius A
Sirius A is the study association for astronomy in Groningen, the Netherlands. Astronomy in Groningen is taught at the Kapteyn Institute and is part of the University of Groningen.
Besides aiding you in your study, Sirius A informs you on future career prospects, promotes social bonding between you and your fellow students by many events and gives you the opportunity to participate in voluntary work and explore your qualities. Furthermore, Sirius A is always open for cooperation. Please contact us if you have any questions or queries.

Op kamers in Groningen

55216studenten studerend
31914studenten woonachtig   
€ 303gemiddelde kamerprijs
kamer betaalbaarheid
21 m2gemiddelde kameroppervlak
kamer beschikbaarheid
bron: Nationale Studenten Enquête

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Nynke Visser
The Master's in Astronomy definitely gives me plenty of options for a range of different career paths

In the Master’s programme in Astronomy, I really get a chance to dive deeper into certain topics I find interesting and to look more closely at astronomy specifically, rather than the basic physics and mathematics that are on the surface of a subject. What I enjoy most about the programme is the amount of freedom you get in selecting your courses. There are four mandatory courses you have to follow, but most of the degree involves free selection. I chose the Theoretical and Observational Astronomy (TOA) track...
I am currently working on my Master’s thesis about Earth-like exoplanets. I am trying to generalize what we know about the carbon and water cycle on Earth in order to make assumptions about exoplanets. For example, we are looking into the effect of plate tectonics or the amount of ice on the partial pressure of carbon in the atmosphere.As for my future plans, I am still unsure about what I want to do after my Master’s. I could go and work at a data science company or continue in the world of academia by doing a PhD, but my passion lies in education and science communication. The Master’s in Astronomy definitely gives me plenty of options for a range of different career paths.


lees verder ...
Study Astronomy at the University of Groningen

Keuzehulp

Unsplashed background img 2

Studievergelijker

1/9 RUG
Astronomy
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur
5 eerstejaars
40% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
2/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy and Science Communication and Society
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
50% Nederlandstalig
50% Engelstalig
3/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy and Instrumentation
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
4/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy and Data Science
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
5/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy and Business Studies
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
6/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy and Cosmology
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
7/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy Research
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
8/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy and Education
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
50% Nederlandstalig
50% Engelstalig
9/9 Universiteit Leiden
Astronomy
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur
16 eerstejaars
50% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
100% Engelstalig
disclaimer: bovenstaande cijfers en beoordelingen zijn aangeleverd door de opleidingen zelf. Wij kunnen de juistheid niet garanderen.

Feiten en / studie in cijfers

studentoordelen

bron: Nationale Studenten Enquete
deze
opleiding
landelijk
algemeen oordeel4.84.4
inhoud4.24.0
docenten4.54.0
studiefaciliteiten4.44.0
studielast4.03.7
studiebegeleiding4.03.6
De Nationale Studenten Enquete is het grootschalige onderzoek van de overheid onder studenten in Nederland naar de kwaliteit van opleidingen aan hogescholen en universiteiten.
In 2017 hebben meer dan 280.000 studenten hun oordeel gegeven over hun studie en instelling.

Astronomy aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen is beoordeeld door 14 respondenten. Gemiddeld waarderen ze de opleiding met 4.8 uit 5.

Na de studie

Unsplashed background img 2

Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt

The Groningen Master's degree programme aims to give students the best opportunity to take part in major European or global astronomical research projects, PhD programmes, and professions involving astronomical instrumentation and informatics.

While the Master’s programme in Astronomy is primarily designed to train researchers, a substantial number of graduates successfully find employment in the public or private sector. Astronomy graduates are well-trained problem solvers, skilled professionally not only in astronomy but also in physics, mathematics, IT and computing science.



aansluitende masteropleidingen

instellingopleidinginstroomeisen
Universiteit LeidenLeraar VHO in Natuurkunde educationalgeen aanvullende eisen
UULeraar VHO natuurkunde full-time,part-time educationalgeen aanvullende eisen
Amsterdam UVALerarenopleiding Natuurkunde educationalgeen aanvullende eisen
Amsterdam UVALerarenopleiding Natuurkunde part-time educationalgeen aanvullende eisen
TU EindhovenLeraar VHO Natuurkunde educational
TU DelftLeraar VHO Natuurkunde educational
bron: doorstroommatrix.nl

Potentiële beroepen

participate in astronomical research projects
phd research position
professions dealing with astronomical instrumentation and informatics
bron: StudieData

Contact

Academic Advisors FSE

For questions regarding the programme

Study Science E-Mail

For students who are interested in a Campus Tour or who have other general questions

Meer informatie?
Bezoek de website van deze opleiding.

open_in_newstudy website