The British astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley was not, after all, the first to understand the cycle of the comet that now bears his name. This is shown by research conducted by, among others, Professor Simon Portegies Zwart. It was the monk Eilmer of Malmesbury who, as early as the 11th century,…

With an ever-increasing amount of data generated worldwide, industry, governments and academia highly welcome professionals with specific knowledge and skills to handle big data.

After graduation you have a lot of opportunities: academics are highly sought after in Dutch secondary education or mbo teaching. You can also aim for a management position or work as a researcher within the field of Astronomy.

The Dutch-Japanese made DESHIMA instrument has passed its first practical tests when measuring the distances and ages of distant galaxies. The core of the instrument is a chip the size of two euro coins that measures 49 shades of far infrared light. The developers of the spectrometer publish the results…

Do you have questions about the Master’s specialisation Astronomy and Instrumentation? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the Astronomy master’s programme? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the master’s specialisation Astronomy Research? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the Master’s specialisation Astronomy and Data Science? Please contact us!

Do you have questions about the master’s specialisation Astronomy and Cosmology? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the Astronomy master’s programme? Please contact us.

Do you have questions about the Master’s specialisation Astronomy and Education? Please contact us.

The specialisation enables you to understand the fundamentals of management and entrepreneurship alongside high quality astronomical research at a world class institute.

The broad scope of the High-Tech Innovation specialisation provides you with an MSc-level education that is highly valued by the advanced high-tech and semiconductor industries. Your combined expertise in astronomy, cutting-edge technology, instrumentation, and innovation makes you well positioned for…

To be eligible for Astronomy at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

To be eligible for Astronomy and Education at Leiden University, you must meet the following admission requirements.

The broad scope of the Astronomy and Instrumentation specialisation provides you with an MSc level training highly sought after by employers, not only in astronomical instrumentation, but also in other areas of high-tech instrumentation development.

The Astronomy and Science Communication and Society programme trains you in practical and theoretical aspects of science communication alongside high quality astronomical research at a world class institute.

The Astronomy Research specialisation includes various advanced astronomy courses that you can choose from each year.

The Leiden Observatory has appointed a new professor. Selena Viti will hold a chair in Molecular Astrophysics. Viti will build a research group that combines different research techniques to unravel the secrets of local and external galaxies. ‘My main ambition is to change the way scientists interpret…

With a master’s degree in Astronomy you are well prepared for jobs in research, industry and the public sector, including technological, financial and consultancy companies, research institutes, governments and science communication organisations.

With a master’s degree in Astronomy you are well prepared for jobs in research, industry and the public sector, including technological, financial and consultancy companies, research institutes, governments and science communication organizations.

The High-Tech Innovation specialisation consists of a 60 EC track alongside the students' core MSc programme: Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics.

With a master’s degree in Astronomy you are well prepared for jobs in research, industry and the public sector, including technological, financial and consultancy companies, research institutes, governments and science communication organizations.

Many students receive their first job offer during or right after their Business Studies internship. After graduating you can also aim for a career in Astronomy research.

What is our place in the Universe? How did stars, planets, and galaxies form? Could life exist beyond Earth? The minor Our Universe invites you on a journey through space, time, and society. You will explore the scientific story of modern astronomy, the origins of life, and the role of the cosmos in…

Her specialist field is molecular astrophysics, and she is the most quoted scholar in her field. In this, the year of astronomy, she is the ideal person to give the Dies lecture at the university with the world's oldest astronomy institute; it goes without saying that the lecture will be on the newest…

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Science Communication and Society at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Data Science at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Instrumentation at Leiden University by following our step-by step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy Research at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Education at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

The Astronomy and Instrumentation courses go beyond astronomy and space applications to enable you to use your knowledge and skills in adjacent areas of science and technology, including the development of instrumentation for environmental and medical applications.

The Astronomy and Data Science master’s programme offers a coherent combination of relevant courses from the Astronomy and Computer Science curricula and two hands-on research projects.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Cosmology at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Find out how to apply for Astronomy and Business Studies at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Conference

Four different astronomical societies are active in the Old Observatory. We are very proud of the commitment these associations show to organize activities.

This specialisation combines advanced training in astronomical research at a world-class institute with a strong focus on high-tech instrumentation and its applications. You will also gain essential insights into technology development, innovation, and engineering, preparing you to bridge the gap between…

Astronomers want to understand the Universe, from the Big Bang to the present day, and what the future will hold. In Leiden they focus on two key questions: ‘How did stars and planets originate’ and ‘How were galaxies and black holes formed in the young Universe?’ A new generation of telescopes – just…

How to create an unforgettable astronomy experience for tourists? And how to create fun activities that also have scientific and educational value? The Astronomy & Society Group at Leiden Observatory has translated a manual that answers those questions. The Observatory’s public engagement team hopes…

The directorate of the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy (NOVA) has two new members. Ronald Stark (currently at NWO) will be the new Executive Director of NOVA from 1 September. Amina Helmi (Professor of Dynamics, structure and formation of the Milky Way at the University of Groningen) will…

Elena Maria Rossi is fascinated by black holes. Her appointment as a professor was a long-held wish, partly because there are so few female professors in her field. ‘My appointment is also a milestone for the Leiden Observatory.’

How do atoms and molecules end up forming planets? That's what astrochemist Julia Santos studied during her PhD. She discovered the dominant process behind the formation of methanol in space – a finding that surprised the entire field.

This is an Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility project of the Faculty of Science with three universities in Colombia.

The Astronomy & Society Group provides the focus for Leiden Observatory’s aim to engage the public with the wonders of the universe and share the scientific, technological, cultural and educational aspects of astronomy with society.