Master's Degree Programme in Exact Sciences: Astronomy and Space Physics
Turku, Finland
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* The application period is 7 January - 21 January 2026
** free for citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries €12,000/academic year
Key Summary
About: The Master’s program in Exact Sciences — Astronomy and Space Physics at the University of Turku covers Sun, supernovae, neutron stars, black holes and galaxies. You’ll study theoretical astrophysics, observational astronomy and space physics, gaining skills in plasma and high-energy astrophysics, cosmology, numerical methods, computational modeling, observational techniques and space instrumentation.
Career Outcomes: Graduates pursue career opportunities such as PhD studies, academic research, space industry positions, instrumentation engineering, data science and software development. Many continue to doctoral programs in Finland, Europe and abroad; doctoral study has no tuition and many PhD students receive a salary or grants. Options vary.
Discover all degree programmes of the University of Turku
From the Sun to supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, and galaxies!
The Master's Degree Programme in Exact Sciences: Astronomy and Space Physics specialisation track encompasses a broad range of topics from the physics of the sun and solar system to stellar and galactic structure and evolution, as well as topics in high energy astrophysics and cosmology.
The Astronomy and Space Physics track includes a solid grounding in theoretical aspects as well as opportunities for observational studies (e.g. of supernovae or accreting black holes). The space physics group performs experimental, theoretical and computational research on high-energy phenomena in near-Earth space. Upon graduation, you will be able to use the diverse set of skills acquired as part of this track, including computational and numerical techniques.
Chat with current students to learn more about student life in Turku
Academic Excellence & Experience
The aim of the Master’s education is to support you to become an independent expert who can evaluate information critically, plan and execute research projects to find new knowledge, and solve scientific and technological problems independently and as part of a group.
You will be able to choose among three lines of studies: theoretical astrophysics, observational astronomy and space physics. You will acquire knowledge of various astrophysical phenomena and plasma physics, from the Solar systems to neutron stars and onto galaxies and cosmology. You will also get hands-on experience with observational techniques, space instrumentation, numerical methods and analysis of large data sets.
Specialisation Tracks
The Master’s Degree Programme of Exact Sciences has six tracks. You can find more detailed information on tracks from the specific site of each track by clicking on the links below.
Other tracks in the Master’s Degree Programme of Exact Sciences:
- Chemistry of Drug Development,
- Materials Chemistry,
- Materials Physics,
- Mathematics and Statistics,
- and Theoretical Physics.
Programme Structure
The structure of the programme is modular and each specialisation track has three obligatory modules that contain the core material of the field. These include the MSc thesis (30 ECTS), lecture and exercise courses, seminars, laboratory work, internship, or project work, details of which depend on the specialisation. In addition, there is a thematic module that may be chosen to support your study plan. The fourth module consists of freely chosen courses and obligatory Finnish language and culture courses (5 ECTS).
In the Astronomy and Space Physics Track, there is one obligatory module of theoretical courses, one obligatory module of methodological courses, and one obligatory module containing the Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS), and special courses like seminars and projects in research.
Theoretical courses will cover aspects of plasma physics and astrophysics, radiative processes, hydrodynamics, spectroscopic diagnostics in astrophysics, nuclear and particle physics, as well as stellar structure and evolution.
The methodology module covers observational techniques, data analysis methods, and numerical methods. Here, you will take courses in the methods of observational astrophysics, optics, statistical and simulation methods, signal and image processing, time-series analysis and Fourier transforms.
You are free to choose the thematic module from those offered in the faculty or take a suitable minor subject, even one offered by other faculties such as computer science, mathematics, chemistry, business creation, and innovation. Thematic modules offered by this programme include Special Courses in Space Sciences and Instrumentation for Space Sciences.
The Special Courses in Space Sciences will give you a deeper understanding of e.g. high energy astrophysics, physics of planet formation, galaxies and cosmology, galactic astronomy, and heliophysics. Here you can select the topics that support your Master‘s thesis. The Instrumentation for Space Sciences module allows to get deep knowledge of the design of optical and space instruments. The students can also choose the Data-analytics and Physical modelling modules which will improve their understanding of the data analysis techniques and the methods of physical modeling.
In the other studies module, you can choose any courses you want from the entire offering of the university in addition to the obligatory “Finnish for foreigners” courses. It is recommended that you take more courses on computing, modeling, and theoretical physics, depending on your preferences.
Master's Thesis & Topics
The compulsory thesis component corresponds to six months of full-time work. The thesis is to be written up as a report based on a combination of a literature review and an original research project that forms the bulk of the thesis.
The thesis is an independently made research project but the project will be carried out under the guidance of leading researchers in the field at the University of Turku. It is expected that you will be embedded within an active research group or experimental team, thereby providing excellent opportunities to discuss results and exchange ideas in a group setting.
Recent examples of thesis titles in astronomy and space physics are:
- Flux decay during thermonuclear X-ray bursts: decay rate analysis using the dynamic power-law index method
- Mass and radius constraints for neutron stars from pulse shape modelling
- Near-infrared observations of supernovae with the Nordic Optical Telescope
- The population of supernovae and their progenitors in starburst galaxies
- Photometric studies of exoplanet transits of stars in the open cluster M44
- Polarimetric studies of binary stars: the case of HD 4809
- Variability of optical polarization and gamma-ray flux in blazar jets
- Linear polarization of BL Lacertae OJ 287 at 21 cm
- Very high energy gamma-rays emitting BL Lac’s population study
- A statistical study of velocity dispersion analysis of Solar particle eruptions
- Design, construction and testing of the prototype of a simple particle instrument for a space flight
- Modelling solar energetic particle fluences using observations from ground-level events
- Calibration and simulations of SIXS-P response to energetic particles
- Transport of energetic charged particles in reservoirs behind CME-driven shock waves
- Instruments for observing energetic neutral atoms in space
Competence Description
The Master of Science degree provides the skills to work in many different kinds of positions within areas such as research and development, education and management, and industry. The Astronomy and Space Physics specialisation track provides very good data analysis and programming skills, and thus many graduates have gone on to successful careers in the big data and finance sectors.
During your studies, you will study plasma physics and hydrodynamics, radiative processes, high-energy astrophysics and solar physics, galaxies and cosmology, astrophysical spectroscopy, radio astronomy and X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy, numerical techniques and programming, statistical methods and particle and photons detectors. You will carry out hands-on exercises in observational techniques, space instrumentation, and analysis of large data sets. You will also be able to remotely use modern observational facilities and participate in building space-qualified instruments. You may choose among three lines: space physics, observational astrophysics and theoretical astrophysics. These studies will prepare you for a career in research and development in the industry or can often lead to PhD studies.
Job Options
The prospects for employment at relatively senior levels are excellent for those trained in the physical and chemical sciences. Thanks to the broad scope of the programme, the skills and knowledge developed as part of this education at the University of Turku provide many employment opportunities in different areas.
Many of our graduates choose to continue their education by pursuing PhD studies in Finland or other European countries (e.g., Belgium, Estonia, Germany and Norway). Others have obtained employment in the software and high-tech industries.
Career in Research
The Master’s degree makes you eligible for scientific postgraduate degree studies – doctoral and licentiate degrees. The University of Turku Graduate School (UTUGS) has aDoctoral Programme in Exact Sciences that covers the disciplines of this Master’s degree programme. Postgraduate degrees can be completed at the University of Turku.
The doctoral studies incur no tuition fees, and PhD students often receive either a salary or a grant to cover their living expenses.