Categories: South Africa Universities

best astronomy university in south africa 2024-2025

Astronomers work to improve our understanding of how the Universe began, how it has evolved, and how it will evolve in the future. They investigate the formation and operation of interstellar dust, gas clouds, planets, stars, galaxies, and clusters of galaxies. Light, physics, and mathematics are the only tools available to accomplish this. Learn more about a career in astronomy.

The National Astronomy and Space Science Programme
(run by a consortium of institutions)
The University of Cape Town, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
Private Bag Rondebosch 7701
Tel: (021) 650-2344/650-2334, Fax: (021) 650-2334
University of Cape Town
Department of Astronomy, University of Cape Town
Private Bag Rondebosch 7700,
Tel: (021) 650-3342, Fax: (021) 650-3342
University of the Free State
Department of Physics, University of the Free State
PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300,
Tel: (051) 401-2926/6158
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
School of Pure and Applied Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban 4041, Tel: (031) 260-2775, Fax: (031) 261-6550
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209
Tel: (033) 260-5326, Fax: (033) 260-5009
North-West University
School of Physics, North-West University
Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520
Tel: (018) 299-2423, Fax: (018) 299-2421
Rhodes University
Department of Physics and Electronics, Rhodes University
PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140,
Tel: (046) 603-8450, Fax: (046) 622-5049
University of South Africa
Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Astronomy
PO Box 392, UNISA 0003
Tel: (012) 429-6202, Fax: (012) 429-6064
University of Stellenbosch
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch
Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602
Tel: (021) 808-4368, Fax: (021) 808-4981
University of the Witwatersrand
School of Computational and Applied Mathematics
Private Bag-3, Wits-2050, Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 717-6138, Fax: (011) 717-6149

Astronomy is divided into three main subfields: observational, theoretical, and planetary science.

In observational astronomy, astronomical objects are studied by being observed through telescopes or being measured by other equipment like radio telescopes or spacecraft.
Creating theories about how objects behave in space using mathematical models is the goal of theoretical astronomy.
Planetary science focuses on the investigation of planets, their moons, comets, asteroids, and meteorites.
It can take years of devoted study at the university to master the subject of astronomy.

In South Africa, how long does it take to complete an astronomy degree?

Postgraduate Study