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Astronomy Research

Master

Structure of the programme

This two-year programme consists of advanced Astronomy courses, two research projects in Astronomy, and courses on science topics related to the field Astronomy. It allows the broadest programme, including a significant component from adjacent fields (Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science)). As such it prepares students as much for a career in research as for a career outside academia.

Programme (120 EC)

| | EC | Level |

|--------------------------------------|---------|----|

| Electives | | |

| Astronomy Core Courses, at least | 18 | 500 |

| Instrumentation-related Astronomy Courses, at least | 6 | 400-500 |

| Astronomy Courses of any type | 12 | 400-500 |

| Non-Astronomy courses * | 24 | 400-500 |

| | | |

| Research Projects | | |

| First Research Project | 30 | 500 |

| Master's Research Project | 30 | 600 |

* One of the two inter-faculty electives listed below may also be chosen as a non-Astronomy course.

Master Study Plan

At the start of the master’s programme, students are required to draw up the Master Study Plan: a complete list of planned courses and projects for two subsequent academic years in consultation with the Study Advisor Astronomy. To select courses, consult the course list for academic year 2024-2025 (see below). And here you can find the preliminary overview of all Astronomy master's courses on offer in 2025/2026.

Learn more

For more information on the specific requirements of this specialisation, see the appendix of the Course and Examination Regulations.

  • Courses 2024-2025
  • Course Levels
  • Career Preparation
Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Astronomy Master's Research Projects

Astronomy Student Colloquium -
First Project: Research 25
First Project: Thesis 5
Master Project: Research 25
Master Project: Thesis 5

Astronomy Core Courses

Origin and Evolution of the Universe 6
Large Scale Structure and Galaxy Formation 6
Stellar Structure and Evolution 6
Interstellar Medium 6
Star and Planet Formation 6

General Astronomy Courses

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN's) 3
Simulation and Modeling in Astrophysics (AMUSE) 6

Instrumentation-related Astronomy Courses

Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments 6
Detection of Light a 3
Detection of Light b 3
Radio Astronomy 6
Planetary Physics: Science and Instrumentation 3

Specialist Astronomy Courses

Astrochemistry 3
Astronomical Spectroscopy 3
Exo-planets A: Interiors and Atmospheres 3
Exo-planets B: Space Physics 3
Modern Astrostatistics 3
Numerical Recipes in Astrophysics a 6
Numerical Recipes in Astrophysics b 3
Observational Cosmology 3

Non-Astronomy Courses

These courses can be selected from the courses offered by the following Leiden University master's programmes:

Inter-faculty Electives

Science Methodology (SCM) 4
Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6

Additional Astronomy bachelor courses if required

Radiative Processes 6