Master's Degree in Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology
Barcelona, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 19 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026
Key Summary
About: Master's in Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology at The University of Barcelona is for bachelor's holders, engineers who want to specialize in astrophysics, space sciences, atomic, nuclear and particle physics, or gravitation and cosmology. Duration and content depend on prior studies. Programme trains students to conduct research and start a doctoral thesis.
Career Outcomes: The master's prepares you to begin a PhD and research careers in astronomy, astrophysics, particle physics and gravitation. It also opens applied roles in industry. You could work in aerospace, energy, finance, communications, data analysis, computational modeling, academia. Employers value data processing, computation, simulation and analysis.
Excellent Accreditation by AQU – Catalan University Quality Assurance Agency
The master's degree Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology of the University of Barcelona is intended for holders of bachelor's degrees and equivalent undergraduate degrees (particularly in physics), engineers and technical engineers who wish to pursue a specialization in one of the following branches of knowledge: astrophysics and space sciences; atomic, nuclear and particle physics; or gravitation and cosmology. The duration and specific content will depend on each applicant's previous studies.
The master's degree seeks to provide students with the training needed to conduct research in one of the fields listed above or in a related field, thanks to the interdisciplinary subjects also included in the program.
The course focuses on preparing students to begin a doctoral thesis upon completion of their degree, enabling them to pursue an academic career. However, it also provides highly valuable training for a career in the public or private sector, opening up a wide range of employment options.
Applicants should have an EHEA bachelor's degree in physics, with a standard study load of 240 ECTS credits, or an equivalent undergraduate degree. UB graduates applying for the course should have completed the major in Fundamental Physics as part of their bachelor's degree. In addition, UB graduates should preferably have completed the optional subjects most closely related with the specialization (Particle Physics and Gravitation or Astrophysics and Space Sciences) they wish to take.
The University of Barcelona consistently ranks among the top institutions nationally, in Europe, and worldwide. Its performance in the most prestigious international rankings reflects excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global engagement.
- Ranked 1st nationally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- Ranked 1st nationally in the THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 68th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 27th in Europe in the Best Global Universities Rankings
Studying at the University of Barcelona means joining a world-class academic community recognized for its innovation and impact.
Learning objectives
The objectives of the master's degree are to provide students with advanced academic training in the fields of astrophysics, space sciences, atomic, nuclear and particle physics, gravitation and cosmology. More specifically, the objectives are:
- To study the content of a carefully selected set of subjects;
- To acquire the work methodology needed for conducting research and completing a doctoral thesis in the above fields through the completion of one or more research projects during the program;
- To acquire the skills needed to give scientific presentations;
- To acquire the competences, skills and abilities required to join a research group and complete doctoral studies or eventually join companies that pursue developments related to research in the mentioned fields.
What can you work on ?
Obtaining the Master's Degree in Astrophysics, Particle Physics and Cosmology is the first step towards undertaking a doctoral thesis in one of the research lines in the general fields of Astronomy and Astrophysics (astrophysics and space sciences) or Particle Physics and Gravitation (atomic, nuclear and particle physics, gravitation and cosmology). Some of the more applied syllabus content may also open professional doors to work in companies in the aerospace, energy, financial and communications sectors, among others, as these require specialists in the fields of space science, data processing and analysis, process simulation and advanced computation, etc