Overview

We share our picturesque base on Blackford Hill with the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) – the UK’s leading astronomical instrument maker – so as a postgraduate student you will be joining a vibrant community of specialists.

The scope of our research is as wide as the cosmos we explore. Thanks to our affiliation with the UK ATC and our strong links with related research centres in the School of Physics & Astronomy, we are in a rare position to accommodate a diversity of research specialisms.

Career opportunities

Graduates from the Astrophysics at The University of Edinburgh are among the most highly sought-after candidates for academic and commercial positions. Your degree will see you well placed to take up a rewarding role that applies your knowledge to the advancement of astrophysics.

Programme Structure

Our students undertake thesis-related research from the outset, but in parallel with structured education in relevant background knowledge.

In the first year there is a reading group that covers the basics of astrophysics in a series of tutorials. Also during this year, you will take a variety of advanced courses in physics and astrophysics, as advised by your supervisor. These courses are part of the graduate school of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA).

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-09-09 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-08-09 00:00:00
Starting 2026-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-12-06 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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TOEFL^® IBT

92

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Physics Astronomy & Space Sciences View 106 other PhDs in Physics in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

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TOEFL^® IBT

92

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Other requirements

General requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in astronomy, physics, or astrophysics.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at The University of Edinburgh and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

31500 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 31500 GBP per year during 36 months.
National

4786 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 4786 GBP per year during 36 months.

Living costs for Edinburgh

725 - 1167 GBP /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Astrophysics.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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