Astronomy
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Deze opleiding
! | Deze opleiding communiceert alleen in het Engels. We tonen daarom de Engelstalige opleidingsinformatie. |
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 galaxy formation and evolution, cosmology, star and planet formation, neutron stars and black holes.
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, data science or astronomy teaching.
Dutch Astronomy graduates in general, and Kapteyn graduates in particular, have excellent career prospects, within and outside of science. The Master's programme in Groningen is ranked as a top-degree in the Netherlands (by the 'Keuzegids'). Facilities are being ranked as outstanding, while the quality of the lecturers, the research component as well as the preparation for the professional field through e.g. internships are ranked as 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 profile 'Business and Policy' has been designed.
Waarom aan de RUG?
- Awarded 'Top Rated Programme' label (Higher Education Guide 2017)
- Close connections with ASTRON and SRON
- Specialisation on instrumentation and informatics possible
- Excellent facilities
- International and vibrant research environment
- Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike
Studieprogramma

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 onderwijs | 100% en |
---|---|
onderwijsopzet | 20% zelfstudie 20% theorie 60% praktijk |
avondonderwijs | n.v.t. |
afstandsonderwijs | n.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
aanmelding deadline : 15 oktober 2020
wettelijk tarief : € 2168 (€1084 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 15200
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 18500
aanmelding deadline : 15 oktober 2021
collegegeld nog niet bekend
aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2021
wettelijk tarief : € 2168 (€1084 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 15200
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 18500
aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2022
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
bedrag | kostenpost |
---|---|
€ 9500 | levensonderhoudper jaar |
€ 75 | inschrijvingsgeldin het eerste jaar |
€ 920 | studiematerialenper jaar |
€ 750 | visa/permitvoor de gehele opleiding |
estimated monthly costs
bedrag | kostenpost | ||
---|---|---|---|
€ | 303 | kamerhuur in Groningenrond het landelijk gemiddelde | |
€ | 22 | internet+tv | |
€ | 152 | boodschappen/kostgeld | |
€ | 32 | telefoon | |
€ | 117 | verzekeringen | |
€ | 172 | collegegeldop basis van € 2060 per jaar | |
€ | 80 | studieboeken en -spullen | |
€ | 29 | drinken/snoep/snacks | |
€ | 77 | uiterlijkkleding, kapper, schoenen | |
€ | 30 | contributies/abonnementen | |
€ | 132 | vrije tijdstappen, uit eten, vakantie | |
€ | 42 | vervoernaast de OV-kaart | |
€ | 45 | overig | |
€ | 1171 | totale maandelijkse uitgaven landelijk gemiddelde is € 1181 |
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 |
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
55216 | studenten studerend |
31914 | studenten woonachtig |
€ 303 | gemiddelde kamerprijs |
kamer betaalbaarheid | |
21 m2 | gemiddelde kameroppervlak |
kamer beschikbaarheid |
aan het woord: studenten en docenten


Boudewijn Hut
werkzaam als Commissioning Engineer bij AstronPractical work for hard science
.
'I've been working as Junior Commissioning Engineer for ASTRON, a radio astronomy institute, for about a year now. I did my final project here as part of my Master's programme in Instrumentation & Informatics, and they offered me a job.This job ties in perfectly with my degree programme, although team meetings and project-based work were new for me. As a Commissioning Engineer my job is to make sure that the systems and equipment are ready for use...
lees verder ...
Keuzehulp

Studievergelijker
Astronomy
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
5 eerstejaars |
40% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Astronomy and Instrumentation
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Astronomy and Business Studies
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Astronomy and Science Communication and Society
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
50% Nederlandstalig 50% Engelstalig |
Astronomy and Education
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
50% Nederlandstalig 50% Engelstalig |
Astronomy and Cosmology
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Astronomy Research
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Astronomy
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Astronomy and Data Science
€ 350 gemiddelde kamerhuur |
16 eerstejaars |
50% vrouw |
? uur contacttijd/week |
100% Engelstalig |
Feiten en / studie in cijfers
studentoordelen
deze opleiding | landelijk | |
---|---|---|
algemeen oordeel | 4.8 | 4.4 |
inhoud | 4.2 | 4.0 |
docenten | 4.5 | 4.0 |
studiefaciliteiten | 4.4 | 4.0 |
studielast | 4.0 | 3.7 |
studiebegeleiding | 4.0 | 3.6 |
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

Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt
aansluitende masteropleidingen
instelling | opleiding | instroomeisen |
---|---|---|
Universiteit Leiden | Leraar VHO in Natuurkunde educational | geen aanvullende eisen |
UU | Leraar VHO natuurkunde full-time,part-time educational | geen aanvullende eisen |
Amsterdam UVA | Lerarenopleiding Natuurkunde part-time educational | geen aanvullende eisen |
TU Eindhoven | Leraar VHO Natuurkunde educational | |
TU Delft | Leraar VHO Natuurkunde educational |
Potentiële beroepen
Contact

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