Master's Programme in Physics – Astronomy and Space Physics
120 credits
How does the Earth's magnetic field work? How do stars evolve, how do their lives end? How was the Milky Way formed? What processes control the evolution of the universe? The Master's Programme in Physics with a specialisation in Astronomy and Space Physics addresses these questions. You will gain a deep understanding of various physical phenomena ranging from space beyond the Earth's atmosphere to the limits of the observable universe.
Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 2 September 2024
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 75 credits in physics.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
- Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2024
- Application code
- UU-M1360
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a programme-specific statement of purpose (1 page).
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 1 September 2025
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 75 credits in physics.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
- Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2025
- Application code
- UU-M1360
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a programme-specific statement of purpose (1 page).
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
About the programme
Uppsala University is the only place in Sweden where you can study both space physics and astronomy. Here you can research the cosmos using state-of-the-art technology (ground and space-based instrumentation, supercomputers) to answer some of the most fundamental questions in physics.
In this specialisation, you study how the Earth's magnetosphere works, how stars evolve and how the Milky Way came to be. You explore the processes that govern the evolution of the universe and gain a deep understanding of physical phenomena from outside the earth's atmosphere to the far reaches of the observable universe.
During the programme, you can expect to:
- Research the cosmos using ground and space-based instrumentation and supercomputers.
- Study at our branch of the national Swedish Institute of Space Research (IRF).
- Get a mentor to guide your course selection and tailor your own programme.
Our researchers are involved in various international projects and missions, for example, CRIRES+ (the infrared high-resolution spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope in Chile), CLUSTER (earth's magnetosphere is 3D), Gaia (the billion-star Galactic surveyor), JUICE (the icy moons of Jupiter) and PLATO (next-generation exoplanet characterisation). Sweden is a member country of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) giving us access to cutting-edge instrumentation in the Southern hemisphere.
After the programme you will be qualified for PhD studies in physics but also be able to work with research and development (R&D) at various companies and public authorities.
Student profile
You are naturally curious about how the world works and realise that formulating a question is just as important as finding the answer. You have a good theoretical foundation in both physics and mathematics. You also have experience in using the foundation to analyse data or create computer-based models to solve problems. You already know the basics of Quantum Physics.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Physics as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Science (60 credits).
Content
The first one and a half years are spent taking courses on a wide range of topics and you can tailor your Master's programme by either choosing a broad syllabus or by specialising in an area of your choice. Except for the five-month thesis work in the last semester, no specific astronomy course is compulsory. However, we recommend taking the four 10-credit courses (The Physics of Planetary Systems, The Physics of Stars, The Physics of Galaxies, and Cosmology) for a good overview of contemporary research in astronomy and space physics.
You can complement the courses with research projects (5, 10, 15 and 30 credits) which you design together with your chosen supervisor. The final semester is spent conducting a thesis project in one of the several research groups at the Division. Be part of a research group and get to know frontline research. This is the best way to prepare yourself for a PhD position.
Courses within the programme
See the programme outline for courses within the specialisation.
Learning experience
During the two-year programme, you will apply your background in physics to the field of the cosmos. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required and you choose from a wide range of courses according to your interests and career plan.
Our teachers are active researchers and the courses closely follow current developments in astrophysics.
During a typical week, you will have about 8-10 hours of scheduled classroom time. The majority of time is thus spent studying on your own or in a study group outside the classroom. You can also choose to conduct research projects. They are a lot like thesis work, only shorter in duration, and are an excellent way into a new research field and research group.
Classes are typically small, ranging from a few students up to about 20. This gives you close contact with the teachers as well as your fellow students. Our teaching is in English as the student group is international.
Instruction consists of lectures, teacher-supervised tuition, and guidance in conjunction with laboratory work. The forms of examination vary depending on the course content and design. Final exams are more common for theoretical courses, although many tutors have continuous examinations during the course, such as group discussions and hand-in exercises.
The programme takes place in Uppsala.
Career
With our Master's degree in Physics, you will be qualified for PhD studies in physics. Many of our physics Master's students continue as PhD students, at Uppsala University or elsewhere in the world. You will also be able to work with research and development (R&D) at various companies and public authorities.
Our previous graduates work at companies or government agencies like ABB, the Swedish National Defence Research Institute (FOI) and insurance companies, as group leaders in research and development, data analysts and consultants.
Even if you do not continue to pursue a career in academia, your qualifications (in such as numerical modelling and data mining) will make you an attractive recruit for a wide range of professions. As an astrophysicist/space physicist who graduated from Uppsala University, you can definitely expect above-average employability.
Your mathematical competence and analytical problem-solving skills also make you an attractive employee. Depending on the courses you take and the specialisation you choose, there are many individual career opportunities in special areas, both within and outside the field of physics. For example, you may find employment as a company consultant, project manager in R&D, or a specialist in banking, insurance or research organisations.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.
Is this programme right for you?
Read interviews about the programme.
Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.
Programme syllabus
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2024
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2023
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2022
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2021
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2020
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2019
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2018
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2017
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2016, version 2
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2016, version 1
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2015
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2014
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2013
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2012
- Programme syllabus valid from Autumn 2011
Outline
- Outline valid from Autumn 2024
- Outline valid from Autumn 2023
- Outline valid from Autumn 2022
- Outline valid from Autumn 2021
- Outline valid from Autumn 2020
- Outline valid from Autumn 2019
- Outline valid from Autumn 2018
- Outline valid from Autumn 2017
- Outline valid from Autumn 2016, version 2
- Outline valid from Autumn 2016, version 1
- Outline valid from Autumn 2015
- Outline valid from Autumn 2014
- Outline valid from Autumn 2013
- Outline valid from Autumn 2012, version 2
- Outline valid from Autumn 2012, version 1
- Outline valid from Autumn 2011
Contact
- For programme-specific information, please contact our study counsellor:
- mastercoordinator@physics.uu.se
- +46 18 471 59 91
- For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
- masterprogrammes@uu.se
Students
As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.