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Astronomer
Astrophysicist
Astronomers study the origin and structure of the universe, including its planets, stars, galaxies and black holes.
Average salary (a year)
£15609
Starter
£60000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
39.0 to 41.0 hours
irregular
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
away from home
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through a university course.
University
You'll need a degree and postgraduate qualification to work as an astronomer. You'll usually need to have achieved a first or a 2
1 in your degree.
Relevant subjects include
maths, physics, astrophysics, geophysics, astronomy, space science
You can also do an extended 4-year degree to get a postgraduate qualification like a master of physics. These courses include more independent research and can lead directly onto a PhD.
Many employers will expect you to have completed, or be working towards, a PhD in your specialist area of interest.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
Career Tips
Join an amateur astronomy group to share your interest, develop connections and get observation experience.
Further Information
You can find more advice on careers in astronomy from the Royal Astronomical Society and SpaceCareers.uk.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Maths knowledge
    Knowledge of physics
    Analytical thinking skills
    Science skills
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    The ability to use your initiative
    The ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
    Concentration skills
Digital Skills Level
to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
Your day to day duties will depend on your area of expertise.
In observational astronomy, you could
collect and analyse data from satellites and spacecraft, explore space using radio and optical telescopes, design new instruments and maintain existing equipment, develop software to interpret images and data captured by satellites
In theoretical astronomy, you could
create computer models to test theories about space activities, analyse the results of past observations to make new predictions, make observations and develop theories, analyse data to help build our understanding of events in the universe
Working environment
You could work in an observatory, in a laboratory, at a university or visit sites.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you may spend nights away from home.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
You'll usually start as a post-doctoral researcher before moving on to permanent posts that can lead to becoming a professor.
You can transfer your science skills across lots of careers and sectors, for example
aerospace research and development, satellite research and development, systems analysis, software engineering, teaching and lecturing, science communication, finance
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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