Submitted by Matthew Bothwell on Wed, 09/07/2025 - 15:10
In 2025, the University of Cambridge celebrates a significant milestone: the 30th anniversary of the undergraduate astronomy course at the Institute of Astronomy.
First introduced in the Michaelmas Term of 1995, the course offers students a unique opportunity to explore the universe through rigorous academic training, hands-on experience, and close connection with world-leading research.
When the course was first introduced, it was a bold move - placing astronomy at the heart of undergraduate education in Cambridge. Prior to 1995, astronomy had been available primarily as an option within broader Natural Sciences programmes. The creation of a more defined path allowed passionate students to immerse themselves in celestial mechanics, stellar evolution, galactic dynamics, and cosmology from early in their academic journey.
Students typically encounter astronomy through Part II and Part III Astrophysics, building on earlier years of physics and mathematics. The Part III component, in particular, gives final-year students the chance to engage in original research projects alongside academic staff, often resulting in contributions to peer-reviewed publications.
Over the last 30 years, the undergraduate astronomy course has seen hundreds of students pass through its lecture halls, observatories, and research groups. Many have gone on to pursue PhDs at leading institutions, take up academic posts, or apply their analytical and technical skills in sectors such as finance, technology, and public policy.
‘I have very fond memories of Douglas Gough telling us about the launch of SoHo, Gerry Gilmore describing his experiences of having to talk to a fast asleep Patrick Moore on The Sky at Night, and Andy Fabian arranging for us to use the Northumberland to observe Venus. I also recall a really cool lecture on tides given by a Dr C Clarke in the Fluid Dynamics course. I hope all that is correct- it was 30 years ago.
Seeing that course advertised changed my life. Two years into a maths degree I assumed a dry career in finance would be my future - instead I ended up staying in Cambridge to do a PhD on interacting diary stars with observing trips to La Palma, Australia and South Africa.
As a postgrad I got a taste for teaching (including supervisions of the second cohort of the Part II course) and embarked on a career teaching Maths and Physics in schools. I still smuggle snippets about cataclysmic variables and black holes into my lessons.’
Alumnus, Deneal Smith
The Institute of Astronomy remains at the forefront of the field, with faculty and students contributing to major international projects such as the Gaia mission, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. This research activity directly informs undergraduate teaching, ensuring that students engage with the latest developments in both theory and data analysis.
In recent years, the course has also adapted to the growing importance of computational methods and big data in astronomy, introducing students to modern tools and techniques that reflect the changing nature of the discipline.
The IoA will mark the 30th anniversary with an alumni stargazing evening held on Friday 07 November. The evening will include food, drinks, talks, student presentations, and an evening of stargazing to celebrate the legacy and future of astronomical education at Cambridge. More information about the event can be found here: https://www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/events/institute-of-astronomy-alumni-stargazing-evening
As the Institute looks ahead to the next 30 years, the undergraduate astronomy course remains a central part of its mission: to train the next generation of astronomers, data scientists, and critical thinkers equipped to explore some of the most profound questions in science.