Astronomy Courses & Education for first-timers.University Certificates
Single-module certificates for broader study and skills.Advanced Study
Routes to a full BSc(Hons) Degree in Astronomy.
Entry Point Astronomy Courses & Education
Applications are now open for October 2010 start.
Our Entry Point Astronomy Courses assume no prior knowledge of the subject and are therefore an ideal place to begin your studies and astronomy education. Each is a free-standing University Certificate allowing you to develop your fascination with your chosen subject. Five Entry Points are available and are listed below. All of these apart from the University Certificate in Sun Earth and Climate will run starting October 2010. See also our full range of University Certificates.
When returning to astronomy education, we normally advise studying only one module in the first year of for your astronomy course.
We judge each application on its merits to ensure that students can benefit from our courses. You will require GCSE Grade C in maths (English for the History Certificate) or equivalent to study these astronomy courses.
All these courses are delivered electronically online (with CD ROM as appropriate), and provide detailed course notes, self-test exercises and assessments. We provide study and tutorial support via email, telephone and a dedicated astronomy course website.
University Certificate in Astronomy Course - VSASTR501
Most students start here! The astronomy course provides an introduction to astronomy, assuming no prior knowledge of the subject. It contains some observational and practical exercises, but you do not need access to a telescope to complete your astronomy studies.
University Certificate in Cosmology Course - VSCOSM501
Gain an informed view of concepts in cosmology with this cosmology course, without recourse to complex mathematics in your study. Learn about the beginning of the Universe including the creation of extremely small elementary particles and the processes that led to the formation of the very large structures seen today.
University Certificate in History of Astronomy Course - VSHIAS501
Via an analysis of key astronomers and their discoveries in the period from ancient Greece until 1900, this History of Astronomy Course promotes your understanding of the nature of historical study, and the nature and dynamics of scientific discovery in its cultural context, to help further your astronomy education.
University Certificate in Sun, Earth and Climate Course - VSASUN501
In this course you will be introduced to the Sun and the Earth as complex systems, and how they interact to produce the environment we live in. Alongside detailed course notes your studies will include a mixture of theoretical and observational approaches with data-based and observational exercises.
University Certificate in Astrobiology Course - VSABIO501
Astrobiology is one of the newest and most dynamic scientific disciplines, and this is your chance to gain an understanding of the ongoing discoveries with our Astrobiology Course at an established Astrobiology University. With explorations ranging from molecular biology to the search for extra-solar planets all having an impact, the multi-disciplinary course takes a novel approach to the subject of Astrobiology, and the course is supplemented with online discussion of relevant breaking news to enhance your studies.