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Astronomer

Alternative titles for this job include Astrophysicist, astrobiologist, planetary scientist

Astronomers study galaxies, planets, stars and other celestial bodies to understand their features, how they were formed and how they behave.

Average salary (a year)

£31,000 Starter

to

£62,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 42 irregular

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through a university course or degree apprenticeship.

University

You'll usually need a degree and postgraduate qualification to become an astronomer. Courses include:

  • physics
  • astronomy
  • astrophysics
  • planetary science
  • geophysics
  • maths
  • space science

You can also do an extended 4-year degree for a postgraduate master's qualification. These courses include more independent research and can lead on to 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

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for a Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, with an aerospace company or university research department.

With further training, this could lead into a career in astronomy.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Career tips

Joining an amateur astronomy group in your area is a good way to meet people with similar interests, share ideas and get hands-on observation experience.

There are also placement programmes and internship schemes for students, offering valuable work experience opportunities in space industry science and research.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in astronomy from the Royal Astronomical Society and SpaceCareers.uk.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of physics
  • maths knowledge
  • analytical thinking skills
  • science skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an observational astronomer, you could:

  • collect and analyse data from satellites and spacecraft
  • explore space using radio, infrared and optical telescopes
  • help to design new instruments for space missions
  • develop software to interpret satellite and telescope data and images
  • search for potential exoplanets

As a theoretical astronomer, you could:

  • create computer models to simulate space phenomena
  • develop theories to explain cosmic processes, like planet, star and black hole formation
  • work with observational data to test, refine and verify predictions
  • analyse historical data to understand how the universe has developed over time

In both roles, you would:

  • use artificial intelligence tools to sift through large sets of data
  • work closely with other specialists on project teams
  • publish articles on research findings and present them at conferences
  • monitor and examine activity on Earth from space, like volcanic eruptions, global weather patterns and sea level changes

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 and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could work for a university as a lecturer of researcher, collaborate on national or international space programmes, or lead a team in a commercial aerospace company.

With experience, you might specialise in a particular field, such as:

  • optical, infrared or radio astronomy
  • planetary science
  • star formation and their life cycle
  • theoretical physics
  • astrobiology

You could transfer your science and astronomy skills into lots of different sectors, for example:

  • aerospace research and development
  • satellite engineering
  • data analysis
  • software engineering
  • teaching and lecturing
  • science communication

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

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Courses In England

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  • Provider: The Bournemouth and Poole College
  • Start date: 06 September 2027
  • Location: Poole

Access to HE (Science)

  • Provider: CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2027
  • Location: Cambridge
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