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The University of Edinburgh: Astrophysics
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
| Study type | Research |
Summary
Based at the historic Royal Observatory Edinburgh, the Institute for Astronomy (IfA) is one of the world’s leading centres in astronomical research.
We share our picturesque base on Blackford Hill with the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) – the UK’s leading astronomical instrument maker – so as a postgraduate student you will be joining a vibrant community of specialists.
The scope of our research is as wide as the cosmos we explore. Thanks to our affiliation with the UK ATC and our strong links with related research centres in the School of Physics & Astronomy, we are in a rare position to accommodate a diversity of research specialisms.
Our current areas of research include:
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cosmology (large-scale structure in the universe, galaxy formation, dark matter and dark energy)
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active galactic nuclei and related objects
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nearby galaxies (large-scale star formation, structure, content and evolution of galaxies)
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stellar astronomy (parallax and proper motion studies, the stellar luminosity function, symbiotic stars)
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star formation (observation and theoretical studies, star formation in external galaxies)
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planet formation (disc and planet formation in protostars, discs around pre-main-sequence stars)
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computational astrophysics (through the Edinburgh Centre for Computational Astrophysics)
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on our website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 27th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Our …
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