Doctor of Philosophy, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Exceptional research degrees at ANU

The Australian National University provides PhD students with a vibrant research community and outstanding program support. When selecting a research program, an institution's reputation is everything. ANU is one of the world's leading universities, and the smart choice for your research program.

As a PhD student you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development.

The PhD program offers students access to state-of-the-art optical, infra-red, radio, and computational facilities and draws on the expertise of some 50 RSAA astronomers, as well as researchers at CSIRO's Australia Telescope National Facility, the Australian Astronomical Observatory, and collaborators around the world.

The main research areas at RSAA include:

• Observational and theoretical aspects of extra-solar planets
• Stellar atmospheres and evolution
• The interstellar medium
• Galactic structure and stellar populations
• The Magellanic Clouds and dwarf galaxies
• The formation and evolution of galaxies
• Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts
• Cosmology

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

Admission to a Doctor of Philosophy is also subject to supervisory capacity, availability of appropriate infrastructure and resources, and approval from the relevant Delegated Authority within the Academic College.

Applicants must:

1. Present a relevant Bachelor Honours degree or international equivalent

2. Provide:

3. All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students

Employment Opportunities

Career options following the Doctor of Philosophy include many opportunities in addition to an academic path.   Some of our alumni work within the public service as analysts or work as software developers within industry.