Astronomer

You'll usually need a degree and postgraduate qualification to become an astronomer. Courses include:

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

You can also do an extended 4-year degree for 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/

You may be able to apply for a Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with an aerospace company or university research department.

With further training, this could lead into a career in astronomy.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• find an apprenticeship|https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Career Tips

Joining an amateur astronomy group in your area is a good way to meet people with similar interests, share ideas and get hands-on observation experience.

There are also placement programmes and internship schemes for students, offering valuable work experience opportunities in space industry science and research.

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
• help to design new instruments for space missions
• develop software to interpret satellite and telescope data and images
• search for potential exoplanets

As a theoretical astronomer, you could:

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

In both roles, you would:

• use artificial intelligence tools to sift through large sets of data
• work closely with other specialists on project teams
• publish articles on research findings and present them at conferences
• monitor and examine activity on Earth from space, like 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.