This page is intended mainly for prospective graduate students. Below you should find most of the information you will need to decide if the Astronomy Department at the University of Virginia is the place for you, as well as information on financial aid and the application process. The graduate application deadline for the Astronomy Department is January 15. The Bridge Program application deadline is March 1.
Note that we no longer accept the Physics GRE as part of our application process. Additionally, due to continued disruptions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have opted not to accept the General GRE for this coming year (2022). Related to this, we affirm that we will not view CR/NCR or equivalent grades in the 2020-21 academic year negatively in graduate applications in future years. The decision to take classes for CR/NC will not be held against applicants in our graduate admissions process, and this applies to all courses, including those that count for the Astronomy or Physics major.
Applying for Admission
- Information for prospective graduate applicants
- Frequently Asked Questions about graduate admissions in astronomy
- Contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Admissions Office with an application request
- The Astronomy Department is participating in the University of Virginia Bridge to the Doctorate Program
Grad Student Life
- Frequently Asked Questions about typical graduate student life
- Graduate Student Guide from the University of Virginia
Course Information
- Current and upcoming graduate courses
- The Astronomy Department listing in the UVa Graduate Record
Research
- Why some of our current graduate students chose UVa, in their own words.
- A list of departmental faculty and their research areas
- Ph.D. dissertations since 1888
- Master‘s Theses since 1935
- Our local Research pages
- A list of where UVa astronomy grads have gotten jobs
The Graduate School deadline of 3 December is only for consideration for financial aid programs run by the Graduate School. For fullest consideration, all application materials should be received by the Astronomy Department by 15 January.
If you have additional questions or plan to be in the area and would like to visit the Department, don‘t hesitate to contact me. The most efficient method is to use email; my email address for graduate admission information is astro-gradadmin@virginia.edu.
Sincerely yours,
Mark Whittle and Nitya Kallivayalil
Co-Chairs, Graduate Admissions