Course Overview
The IoA offers an exciting opportunity for suitably qualified students who have completed a Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in Astronomy, Physics or Mathematics to study for a one year Masters level qualification in Astrophysics. This course consists of an extended project (either observational or theoretical, worth about a third of the total credit) and a choice of a range of high level specialist courses, most of which are examined in June. Owing to the demanding level of the course and the competition for a limited number of places, applicants should have achieved or expect to achieve a very good performance in their undergraduate degree. Although some bursary funding may be available, applicants should expect to arrange their own funding.
About two thirds of the assessment for this degree is based on rigorous written examinations. The majority of the courses on the MASt in Astrophysics are taken from Part III of the Mathematical Tripos. The entry requirement to the Part III of the Mathematical Tripos is a first class in Part II of the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos. Applicants must, therefore, be highly proficient in mathematics. All students who are accepted for entry into the MASt Astrophysics course should be aware that the Institute of Astronomy strongly recommends the satisfactory completion of one of the Part II CATAM computer projects organised by the Mathematics Faculty, before starting the course in October.
For full details of the course, follow the link to Part III Astrophysics, whose course content and arrangements are identical to the MASt course but is taken by students already enrolled at the University of Cambridge. Note that the courses on offer vary somewhat from year to year so that those available next year may differ slightly from those listed on the Part III Astrophysics pages for the current academic year. If you have any questions about the course and it's content please email undergraduate.admin@ast.cam.ac.uk.
How to Apply
Formal application for the MASt at the Institute of Astronomy must be made via the University Postgraduate Admissions Office’s Applicant Portal,which will open at noon on the 4th September 2024 for entry in 2025.
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 3RD DECEMBER 2024.
To track your application and for details of the costs involved, please visit the Application Portal. Applicants wishing to be considered for University Funding should tick the 'Apply for funding' box when completing the University Application Form. Research council funding is not available for this course.
There may also be other funding opportunities available, please use the Postgraduate Funding Search to explore other options.
If, after reading the online material, you have additional queries about the admissions process please email our admissions team (admissions@ast.cam.ac.uk).
Funding opportunities
Parasol Foundation Scholarships
An exciting collaboration between the Parasol Foundation and Murray Edwards College gives us the opportunity to enable a greater number of talented Home-fee status women students to benefit from a Master’s degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge. The courses eligible for this award are the MPhil in Astronomy, MASt in Astrophysics and the MPhil in Planetary Science and Life in the Universe, the award covers all tuition fees and provides a generous maintenance allowance. Offer holders meeting the eligibility criteria will automatically be considered for this award, no additional application is required.