Astronomy and Data Science (MSc)
Career prospects
With an ever-increasing amount of data generated worldwide, industry, governments and academia highly welcome professionals with specific knowledge and skills to handle big data.
Acquired skills and competence
With a Leiden MSc degree in Astronomy and Data Science you have become a strong communicator and collaborator and can operate in an international setting with ease. You have acquired extensive astronomical research experience and highly advanced analytical and problem solving skills. The programme prepares you as much for a career in Astronomy as in Computer Science, both within or outside academia.
Career
Most graduates holding a MSc degree in Astronomy from Leiden University find work in many different capacities, including:
- Research: universities, observatories, research institutes
- Industry and consultancy: ICT, R&D, telecom, high technology, aerospace
- Finance: banking, insurance, pension funds
- Public sector: governments, policy makers, high schools
- Science communication: journalism, popular writing, museums
Typical jobs for Astronomy graduates include:
- Scientific researcher (postdoc, research fellow, professor)
- R&D engineer
- Consultant
- Data scientist, statistician
- Policy advisor, public information officer (e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- High school physics teacher
- Scientific editor for magazines, newspapers and other media
Research at Leiden Observatory
If you want to get more deeply involved in astronomy research after graduating from our master's programme, consider pursuing a PhD at Leiden Observatory. If you have completed the Leiden master’s degree programme in Astronomy, you are directly eligible for applying to our PhD programme. Read more.