Astronomer

You'll need a degree and postgraduate qualification to work as an astronomer. You'll usually need to have achieved a first class honours or 2:

• 1 in your degree.

Relevant subjects include:

• maths
• physics
• astrophysics
• geophysics
• astronomy
• space science

You can also do an extended 4-year degree to get a postgraduate master's qualification. These courses include more independent research and can lead on to a PhD.

Many employers will expect you to have completed, or be working towards, a PhD in your specialist area of interest.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Career Tips

You can join an amateur astronomy group and attend astronomy summer schools to share your interest in space, make connections and get hands-on observation experience.

Further Information

You can find out more about careers in astronomy from the Royal Astronomical Society and SpaceCareers.uk .

As an observational astronomer, you could:

• collect and analyse data from satellites and spacecraft
• explore space using radio, infrared and optical telescopes
• design new satellites and instruments for space exploration
• develop software to interpret images and data captured by satellites and telescopes

As a theoretical astronomer, you could:

• create computer models to simulate space phenomena
• develop theories to explain cosmic processes, like planetary and star formation
• work with observational data to test, refine and verify predictions
• analyse past data to understand how the universe has developed over time

In both roles, you would:

• use artificial intelligence systems to sift through large collections of images and data
• work closely with space engineers, software developers and data analysts
• publish articles on research findings and present them at conferences
• examine activity on Earth from space, such as volcanic eruptions, global weather patterns and sea level changes

You could work in an observatory, in a laboratory, at a university or visit sites.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.