With so many recent discoveries about the universe, astronomy remains an interesting subject for higher studies. While students can either work in one of the many space-related agencies in the world or stay in academic work, the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa says that “Astronomers’ abilities, especially their scientific approach to problem solving, are also highly valued in almost all fields, ranging from aerospace, information technologies, telecommunications to financial services”.

The Royal Astronomical Society claims as its goal “advancing astronomy and geophysics”. It describes the subject as “Astronomy and Planetary Science”.  Some universities call it Astrophysics. Some have very highly specific descriptions such as the one from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, which offers a Master in High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology (http://www.uab.cat/web/universitat-autonoma-de-barcelona-1345467954774.html/) or the one from Luleå University of Technology, which offers a Master Program in Earth’s Atmosphere and the Solar System (http://www.ltu.se/?l=en0). The University of Nottingham offers a Master’s in Physics and Astronomy. Boston University offers a MA in Astronomy (and a PhD), with students normally drawn from astronomy, physics or another physical science.

The Department of Space Studies of the University of North Dakota offers a Master of Science and PhD programmes defined as multi-disciplinary “and include disciplines such as planetary science, space engineering, life support systems, space policy and law, space history and space-related aspects of business and management” (http://www.space.edu/).

The Radboud University offers an MSc in Physics and Astronomy (http://www.ru.nl/english/).  Lund University offers an MSc in Astrophysics (www.lunduniversity.lu.se)

An unusual course is a MA in cultural astronomy and astrology from The University of Wales, seeking to understand the “ways in which human beings attribute meaning to the planets, stars and sky, and construct cosmologies which provide the basis for culture and society” (http://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/ma-cultural-astronomy-astrology/).