Program Overview

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Master of Science in Astronomy (MSc)

The Master of Science in Astronomy (MSc) program at the University of British Columbia is a research-based degree that covers most areas of current interest in astronomy and astrophysics. The program includes a wide range of theoretical and observational studies in astronomy, as well as experimental and theoretical studies in cosmology.

Overview

UBC research in astronomy and astrophysics covers most areas of current interest in this broad field, including a wide range of theoretical and observational studies in astronomy, and also experimental and theoretical studies in cosmology. Research at optical wavelengths includes searches and orbital determination for asteroids and comets, photometric studies of stellar populations, particularly globular clusters, studies of distant galaxies and active galactic nuclei, and time-resolved spectroscopy of variable stars and active binary star systems. Studies at microwave and radio frequencies include research on variable radio sources, searches for pulsars, the early stages of star formation, relativistic jets, and balloon-borne measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation. A variety of theoretical work complements this research, with topics that range from planetary dynamics and the structure of neutron stars, to theoretical studies of structure formation in the early universe. Development of astronomical instrumentation is also supported.

Program Structure

The M.Sc. program requires a minimum of 30 credits, including an 18-credit thesis. The remaining 12 credits must be relevant graduate courses in the Faculties of Science or Applied Science.

Quick Facts

• Faculty: Faculty of Science
• Academic Unit: Department of Physics & Astronomy
• Specialization: Astronomy
• Mode of delivery: In person at UBC Vancouver
• Program Components: Coursework + Thesis required
• Tuition (First Year):
  • Domestic: $5,626.02
  • International: $9,883.98
• Median Funding: 50% of students receive $28,653 or more funding per year in the first 2 years, before tuition and fees

Admission Information & Requirements

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

• TOEFL:
  • Overall score requirement: 90
  • Reading: 22
  • Writing: 21
  • Speaking: 21
  • Listening: 22
• IELTS:
  • Overall score requirement: 6.5
  • Reading: 6.0
  • Writing: 6.0
  • Speaking: 6.0
  • Listening: 6.0

Prior Degree Requirements

The prerequisite for the M.Sc. program is a B.Sc. in physics or astronomy (single or combined). An overall average of at least 80% in third- and fourth-year courses is expected for entry into the program.

Application Deadlines

• Program Name: Master of Science in Astronomy (MSc)
• Intake:
  • September 2026:
    • Canadian Applicant Deadline: 1 December 2025
    • International Applicant Deadline: 1 December 2025
  • January 2027:
    • Canadian Applicant Deadline: 1 December 2025
    • International Applicant Deadline: 1 December 2025
  • May 2027:
    • Canadian Applicant Deadline: 1 December 2025
    • International Applicant Deadline: 1 December 2025

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Fees:
  • Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat:
    • Application Fee: $118.50
    • Tuition per year: $5,626.02
  • International:
    • Application Fee: $168.25
    • Tuition per year: $9,883.98
• Other Fees and Costs:
  • Student Fees (yearly): $1,144.10 (approx.)
  • Costs of living: Estimate your costs of living with our interactive tool in order to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based and need-based opportunities.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

Enrolment Data

• Applications:
  • 2023: 107
  • 2022: 79
  • 2021: 69
  • 2020: 45
  • 2019: 44
• Offers:
  • 2023: 17
  • 2022: 7
  • 2021: 13
  • 2020: 10
  • 2019: 9
• New Enrolment:
  • 2023: 2
  • 2022: 3
  • 2021: 8
  • 2020: 4
  • 2019: 4
• Total Enrolment:
  • 2023: 8
  • 2022: 12
  • 2021: 14
  • 2020: 10
  • 2019: 7

Completion Rates & Times

This program has a graduation rate of 100% based on 7 students admitted between 2015 - 2018. Based on 14 graduations between 2020 - 2023 the minimum time to completion is 2.05 years and the maximum time is 2.73 years with an average of 2.26 years of study.

Research Supervisors

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for this program

Applicants should browse faculty profiles and indicate in their application who they are interested in working with. No commitment from a supervisor prior to applying is necessary, but contacting faculty members is encouraged.

Sample Thesis Submissions

• TNO absolute magnitude distribution for H=7-10
• Exploring star formation and multi-phase gas in a brightest cluster galaxy with JWST, MUSE, and ALMA
• High cadence pulsar timing with CHIME/Pulsar
• High-cadence light curves for bright TNOs in CLASSY

Related Programs

Same specialization

• Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD)

Same Academic Unit

• Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD)
• Master of Applied Science in Engineering Physics (MASc)
• Master of Science in Medical Physics (MSc)
• Master of Science in Physics (MSc)