GET A QUALIFICATION IN ASTRONOMY… FROM HOME
Distance learning can bring education of the universe to you - here are some of the courses available to you
1. Space Studies Qualification: Bachelor of Science American Public University, West Virginia, United States
One option to obtain an astronomy bachelor’s degree using distance learning is through the American Public University. The aim of this course is not only to meet institutional and general educational objectives, but also meet the individual objectives of its graduates.
This course is available in a full-time capacity, with it costing £215 ($270) per credit, or £200 ($250) when providing a military grant.
Once graduated, anyone with this degree will be able to demonstrate a firm understanding of basic mathematics, modern aeronautics and spaceflight, a history of space exploration and also the ability to analyse the possibility of life in the universe, while simultaneously studying other astronomical objects such as planets, stars and galaxies.
2. Introduction to Astronomy Qualification: Online academic course CourseGate, based in London, England
This is not a full degree, but rather a taster course into the world of astronomy and the cosmos. This course doesn’t require any academic background and will thrust you straight into discussions about the universe around us – stars, nebulae, planets, asteroids, moons, galaxies and so much more.
At the time of writing the price of the course has been slashed from £489 ($612) to just £59 ($74)! This course doesn’t have any time restraints, so as long as you have a Windows, Mac, Android or any device to load up the course, the universe is at your fingertips!
3. Spacecraft Technology Qualification: Online academic course
Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
If a short-term online course is more feasible based around a busy schedule, have a look at TU Delft’s course in Spacecraft Technology. Exploration of space is an area of science gathering much momentum as access to space is getting easier than ever. This course lasts for a total of 13 weeks, with an estimated effort of 12 to 14 hours of work per week. The price of this experience will be €1,250 (£1,130).
After the 13 weeks this course will have taught the essentials in spacecraft design and manufacture with emphasis on the practical applications. This course does not cover interplanetary rovers or spacecraft instrumentation.
4. Space Studies Qualification: Master of Science University of North Dakota, United States
Another option in further education is the unique Space Studies master’s degree, available both on campus or online. This is not your usual astronomy course as it offers an extremely
interesting and thorough outlook on space engineering, life-support systems, space policy and law, space history and even space-related aspects of business.
This degree is estimated to take between two and four years to complete, and for the online programme the total cost per credit will be £380 ($480). It has been noted that an online student’s mandatory fees are capped at 12 credits per semester. If you wish to gain a different outlook on space, studying the lesser-known intricacies of space exploration, it will definitely be worth having a look at this course.
5. Astronomy Qualification: Bachelor of Science (with Honours) University of Central Lancashire, England
Barring the Open University, this is the only other place to get a fully fledged astronomy degree from a university in the UK with distance learning. This course prides itself on being able to offer the chance to develop a fascination in astronomy and cosmology while providing the flexibility of self-learning.
For any new students the module fee will be £1,060 ($1,330) whether you are from the UK, European Union or an overseas student. For any student who is continuing on the same award from the previous year, the module fee will be £1,025 ($1,285).
This course has a marvellous range of astronomy topics including modules on the great astronomers in history, an introduction to astrobiology and even the extreme states of matter. This is a rare subject not taught in many of the other distance-learning courses.
6. Observational Astronomy Qualification: Master of Science Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, England
If you have already obtained at least a 2:2 in a physical science or STEM-based bachelor’s degree then Liverpool John Moores University now offers the opportunity to obtain a distance-learning master’s qualification to further your education.
If full time is your aim then this degree will take a year to complete, but it will take two years if you decide to do it part time. If you’re based in England the cost per credit will be £43 ($54), with international costs still to be confirmed.
This course flaunts some of the world’s best academics teaching the wonders of the universe with the help of the robotic Liverpool Telescope. This qualification could open up some optimistic doors for future PhD studies.
7. Astronomy Qualification: GCSE
Online Astronomy Society Academy, Northampton, England
Calling all astronomy fans in the UK, there is a GCSE course in Astronomy that can be taken thanks to distance learning. This GCSE course will give you the necessary materials online to learn about astronomy, so as long as you have access to the internet you are good to go!
As the length of the course has increased the fees have been increased to £300 (£376), or £150 ($188) per year. This qualification boils down to two exams, one on ‘naked-eye astronomy’ and the other on ‘telescopic astronomy’. These one hour and 45 minute exams, taken in exam centres around the UK, will test your knowledge on the Earth, the celestial systems, the Solar System and much more until you find yourself asking about the big cosmological questions of the universe.
8. Natural Sciences (Astronomy and Planetary Science) Qualification: Bachelor of Science (with Honours) Open University, Milton Keynes, England
The Open University, one of the world’s best institutes for distance learning, offers a number of degrees – the one we recommend to our readers is an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences, specialising in Astronomy and Planetary Science.
This undergraduate degree can take three years or six years depending on whether you wish to study full or part time. For anyone based in England the total cost for the qualification would be £17,568 ($22,028), but this will vary for people outside England.
The most exciting aspects of this course include making real-life observations with the Observatorio del Teide in Tenerife, learning a variety of exciting astronomy topics covering the Solar System to the greater universe and developing important mathematical, analytical and investigative skills.
9. Exploring the Universe Qualification: Online programme University of Oxford, England
The prestigious University of Oxford offers some intriguing part-time and flexible courses and programmes for adult learners, and one of them that particularly catches the eye is its online programme titled ‘Exploring the Universe’. It is available from just £270 ($338) and will take approximately ten weeks, assuming that 100 study hours have been put into it.
In this programme Oxford astronomers Chris Lintott and Robert Simpson provide an overview of the last 13.7 billion years and educate the student on the entire cosmic evolution – that’s a lot to squeeze in! This programme is ideal for providing anyone with a firm grasp on many topics covered in the vast subject of astronomy.
10. Physical Science Qualification: Bachelor of Science University of Southern Queensland, Australia
This flexible external course will give you superior knowledge of physics and astronomy, teaching you the fundamental principles of modern science and the laws of physics that shape our universe. For a domestic student the cost would be 21,640 Australian Dollars, or AUD, (£12,440), or a commonwealth support cost of 9,352 AUD (£5,376). For international students the cost will instead be 23,960 AUD (£13,773). This will be over the course of three years, or a part-time course over six years.
For the smart students choosing astronomy will have the unique opportunity to make hands-on and remote-controlled astronomical observations using a series of modern telescopes.