COURSE CURRICULUM

Leiden University’s master’s specialisation in Astronomy and Education is designed to prepare students for a career as a secondary school teacher while providing advanced training in astronomy. The program is structured over two years and combines an Astronomy component in the first year with an Education component in the second year. Students begin by drawing up a Master Study Plan in consultation with the Study Advisor Astronomy, outlining courses and projects for the full duration of the program.The Astronomy component consists of core courses (at least 12 EC), additional astronomy courses (6–12 EC), non-astronomy courses (6–12 EC), and a Master’s Research Project in Astronomy (30 EC). This component develops students’ knowledge of astronomical concepts, research methods, and scientific skills, providing a solid foundation for both teaching and research.In the second year, students follow the Education component (60 EC), offered by the Leiden Graduate School of Teaching, which includes education courses (30 EC) and teaching practice (30 EC), all conducted in Dutch. Alternatively, students may participate in the World Teachers program (60 EC), which combines education courses (30 EC, partly in Dutch) with international teaching practice (30 EC, in English). Students who have completed a minor in Education during their BSc only need 30 EC of education modules, with the remaining 30 EC allocated to Astronomy electives. The Education component can be started after completing the Astronomy modules, either in August/September or January/February.Educational methods across the program include lectures, colloquia, seminars, lab work, research projects, individual papers, presentations, work groups, internships, and supervised school practice. Students are assessed through a combination of exams, presentations, reports, research outputs, and practical teaching evaluations.Graduates of this program are fully qualified to teach Physics in secondary schools. They gain a combination of subject expertise in astronomy, research skills, and pedagogical training, enabling them to effectively convey complex scientific concepts, inspire student engagement, and contribute meaningfully to educational settings. This unique dual focus prepares students for a career at the intersection of science and teaching.