Astrophysics MSc

Program Overview

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Astrophysics (MSc) 2025 entry

Overview

Gain knowledge and experience in the core areas of astrophysics to develop the necessary skills to carry out astrophysical research.

Key Details

• Application deadline: Thursday 7 August 2025
• Starts: September 2025
• Duration: One year full time
• School: School of Physics and Astronomy

Fees

• UK: £12,030
• Rest of the world: £29,990

Why Study This Course?

The course is intended to provide an entry route to astrophysics research and potentially PhD programmes for students who have taken an undergraduate BSc degree in physics, mathematics or an equivalent related discipline.

• Students are able and encouraged to use the University Observatory and the James Gregory Telescope, the largest working optical telescope in the UK.
• The programme prepares students to undertake astrophysical research at PhD level.
• Modules provide transferable skills which enhance employability in and out of academia.
• Students will work on a part-time research project in Semester 2. Those doing the MSc will also do a full-time research dissertation project over the summer months.

Teaching

• Delivered through lectures and tutorials.

Hands-on Experience

• Access to the University Observatory and James Gregory Telescope.

Dissertation

• A 15,000-word research project with regular support.

Assessment

• A mix of coursework, research projects and exams.

Modules

The St Andrews degree structure is designed to be flexible. You study compulsory modules delivering core learning together with optional modules you choose from the list available that year.

• Compulsory:
  • Research Skills in Astrophysics: provides the basic astrophysical background and introduces students to the research skills needed for a career in astrophysics.
• Optional: Students choose six optional modules.
  • Advanced Data Analysis: covers modern modelling methods for situations where the data fails to meet the assumptions of common statistical models and simple remedies do not suffice.
  • Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics: introduces the concepts of fluid dynamics and describes their application while providing students with the opportunity to develop the numerical skills required for a computational approach.
  • Contemporary Astrophysics: provides an annual survey of the latest, most interesting, developments in astronomy and astrophysics at the research level.
  • Cosmology: covers the evolution of the Universe, from inflation to the present day.
  • Extragalactic Astronomy: introduces the basic elements of extragalactic astronomy, including the morphological, structural and spectral properties of elliptical, spiral, quiescent and star-forming galaxies.
  • General Relativity: provides an introduction and applications to the theory of general relativity, covering its historic evolution, fundamental principles, advanced mathematics, derived predictions and experimental tests.
  • Gravitational Dynamics and Accretion Physics: explores the basics of gravitational dynamics and accretion physics and their application to systems such as circumstellar discs, stellar clusters to galaxies and clusters of galaxies.
  • Knowledge Discovery and Datamining: covers many of the methods found under the banner of datamining, building from a theoretical perspective but ultimately teaching practical application.
  • Monte Carlo Radiation Transport Techniques: introduces the theory and practice behind Monte Carlo radiation transport codes for use in physics, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, and medical physics.
  • Observational Techniques in Astrophysics: provides a complete overview of the practical part of research in observational astronomy.
  • Solar Theory: describes the basic dynamic processes at work in the Sun, enlivened by dramatic new results from space missions.
  • Stellar Physics: develops the physics of stellar interiors and atmospheres from the basic equations of stellar structure and radiative transfer concepts developed in Nebulae and Stars 1.
  • The Physics of Nebulae and Stars 1: introduces the physics of astrophysical plasmas, as found in stars and interstellar space, where interactions between matter and radiation play a dominant role.

Dissertation

During the final two-and-a-half months of the course, students undertake a research project culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation. Students select a project from a list of those available and are supervised by a member of the academic staff.

The project aims to develop students' skills in:

• searching the appropriate literature
• astrophysical theory
• experimental and observational design
• evaluating and interpreting data
• presenting a report

What It Will Lead To

Careers

This degree course is intended to provide an entry route to astrophysics research, and potentially PhD programmes, at St Andrews or other universities in the UK or abroad.

The course also prepares students for careers in data science, finance, and education, amongst others.

Further Study

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.

Fully funded scholarships are available for PhD study in all research areas in the School.

Why St Andrews?

Events

The Astronomy Group at the University hosts weekly lunchtime talks on a range of astronomy topics presented by academics from St Andrews and abroad.

The group also host a number of teaching and outreach projects, including:

• Observatory open nights include access to the James Gregory Telescope, talks, tours and activities.
• Mobile Planetarium shows recreate the night sky in an inflatable dome run entirely by Astronomy PhD students.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in physics, mathematics or a related topic. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

Application Requirements

• Completed Astrophysics MSc supplementary application form (Word)
• Two original signed academic references
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:

• Snowdon Trust Masters Scholarship
• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Physics and astronomy scholarships