Facts & figures
Astronomer
Department of Astronomy
Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences
Center of Earth Sciences
English
Program
The objective of the Astronomy Master's Degree Program is to provide a comprehensive knowledge of astronomy including related interdisciplinary areas. Students will also acquire competencies in the wider field of scientific research, in the use of technical language, in team work and in the communication of scientific results, they will also develop an ability to resolve novel or unusual problems arising in a multidisciplinary context.
The objective of the Astronomy MSc programme is the formation of fully trained astronomers and astrophysicists capable of supervised observational and theoretical research in astronomy and related fields.
Our training extends to interdisciplinary areas overlapping with astronomy such as space physics or planetology. The training programme is built upon a set of courses providing a solid theoretical knowledge in astrophysics, celestial mechanics and galactic dynamics. Solar system studies as well as the use and processing of observational satellite data are given special attention during the training. Opportunities to develop students' observing skills are offered in our regular courses held at our own campus observatory equipped with a 40-cm RCC telescope, as well as at Hungary's prime astronomical observatory at Piszkéstető. The range of educational technology at our disposal also includes a digital planetarium. The training programme is maintained in close collaboration with a large number of invited lecturers from Hungary's prime astronomical research institute, the Konkoly Observatory of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The training also imparts skills needed for scientific research, for the use of scientific terminology, for team work and for the communication of research results, all of which are potentially quite useful in a much wider area of applications.
Structure
Career
After completing the requirements listed above, students are awarded an MSc degree. The MSc degree qualifies its holder to take up positions in the relevant fields and to enlist to a postgraduate (PhD) study programme.
Postgraduate (PhD) studentships at a Hungarian, European or international university research assistant's positions at a Hungarian, European or international research institute industry positions where a strong training in IT, signal processing, physics and electromagnetic wave analysis are an advantage, including telecommunications, computer technology, software companies, air control, satellite communications, etc.
Admissions
| EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee/semester | 4,190 EUR | 4,190 EUR |
| Application fee |
160 EUR (non-refundable)
|
160 EUR (non-refundable)
|
| Entrance exam fee | ||
| Other cost |
Entry requirements
Bachelor degrees are accepted in the following fields: Physics and Geology (with a specialization in Astronomy)
Additionally, other specializations can be accepted of Bachelor degrees in Physics and Geology, if the applicant has at least 55 ECTS credits in the following fields: mathematics, computer science (calculus), algebra, probability, statistics, programming – at least 15 credits physics (mechanics, optics, electricity, nuclear physics, atomic physics, quantum physics) – at least 20 credits astronomy (astronomic observations, intro to astronomy, astrometrics, astrophyiscs) – at least 20 credits
Language requirements:
An internationally accredited language examination is required with at least a B2 CEFR level or equivalent result.
Examples of minimum level accepted:
TOEFL iBT 72 pts
IELTS 5.5
Alternatively, an official certificate issued by the applicant’s previous higher education institution can be accepted, stating that the applicant’s previous education (Bachelor’s degree) was completed entirely in English.
| Document | Comment |
| Online application form | - |
| Bachelor-level degree | - |
| Transcript of records | - |
| CV | - |
| Copy of the main pages of the passport | needs to be valid |
| Copy of application fee transfer | - |
| Language certificate | - |
The application starts at the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents and follow the instructions during the application process.
Procedure of the entrance examination:
Applicants are expected to attend an interview personally or via Skype. Applicants who claim to have a basic knowledge of astronomy not supported by transcripts can also pass an entry examination, together with the interview, in order to be exempted from taking preparatory courses.
Contacts
Prof. Kristóf PETROVAY
Head of the Center of Earth Sciences
k.petrovay@astro.elte.hu
International coordinator of the Faculty of Science:
Mr. Péter MOLNÁR
international coordinator
inter@ttk.elte.hu
+36 (1) 372-2500/6095 (ext.)
More information
Website
Prof. Kristóf PETROVAY
Head of the Center of Earth Sciences
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Structure of the Astronomy MSc
Students must acquire at least 120 credits during the training. One credit reflects around 30 hours of student workload over the course of one 13-week semester.
A 3-week summer research internship (value: 2 credits) in academy/industry is part of the study requirements after the 1st year.
A thesis summarizing the results of guided research undertaken by the student needs to be written and submitted by the end of the training programme. The workload of the thesis is 30 credits.
Note, that in addition to successfully obtaining the 120 credits, a further requirement must be fulfilled for a degree to be issued. Hungarian legislation requires that in order to obtain a degree, students must present a certificate of medium (B2) level written and oral skills in a foreign language other than their first language. If the certificate was not issued by an official Hungarian examination centre, it needs to be nationalized. Students should consult the Study Administration Office concerning the validity and acceptability of any particular language skills certificate for this purpose.