What Madeline says about the Master's in Astrophysics

Madeline from Australia

About the programme and the teaching style 

How did you find out about this programme and why did you choose it? 

"I originally found out about Lund University through a study abroad programme during my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney. I had enjoyed my time in Lund so much that I decided to return to do my Masters! It was also one of the few universities in Sweden that offered Astrophysics as a separate programme from Physics, which drew me further towards this programme, as there would be a stronger focus on the topic. Lund Observatory is also renowned for the research being conducted, and I wanted to be a part of this."

What do you think about your programme so far? Does it live up to your expectations? 

"My programme so far exceeds any of the expectations that I have had prior to starting my programme. The environment at the Division of Astrophysics has been very welcoming and has done a great job at integrating the Master’s students into the division. This integration has encouraged and motivated me to dedicate more time towards my studies. The division also offers various seminars on several topics in Astrophysics, which have inspired me and piqued my interest in areas I previously knew little about. This was incredibly helpful in my decision for the topic of my Master’s Project."

What is the best thing about your programme?  

"The best thing about the programme is how integrated the Master’s students are in the community. In my division, the Master’s students have access to a desk in a shared office space, which makes it extremely convenient to work together with classmates, and ask for help from the professors and other PhD students, whose offices are just around the corner! It is particularly useful when working on my project, as my supervisor is close by, and there are others working on similar projects whom I can ask for help from. This study environment has definitely enabled me to experience what it’s like to work in research and has influenced me to consider pursuing a research career after graduation."

What do you think of the teaching style at Lund? 

"My class sizes are quite small, with my smallest course so far only having 6 students! I enjoyed this, as during the lab sessions, the professors and teaching assistants had enough time to provide individual feedback for all students. It is also a less formal environment, so I feel at ease with the teachers and am comfortable approaching them with any questions I have. A full course load is two courses per period, with two periods in a semester, which can sometimes feel overwhelming if there are projects due each week. However, this organisational style allows me to focus more on the courses, as opposed to the four or five courses I am used to taking at the same time in Australia."

Have you been able to gain any practical experience during your studies? 

"The Master’s Project for my programme is conducted over one and a half years, so I have already started working on it. So far, I’m finding it very interesting! My project is focusing on analysing stellar spectra with exoplanet transits. There are also many internship opportunities being brought to our attention by PhD students and others in the division due to their international connections. For example, we have been notified of internship availabilities at larger companies such as ESO and ESA."

How international is your programme and what is it like to study in that kind of environment? 

"The Division of Astrophysics is very international! In my programme, I would say there is a roughly even split between Swedish and international students, with a slightly more international environment overall. Astrophysics in itself is a very international field, with collaborations all around the world. Because it is a very international environment, any formal meetings where important departmental information is discussed are held in English, ensuring that any information that may affect our studies is accessible to us. All the seminars are also held in English and are presented by researchers from international universities. This exposes us to Astrophysics research that is not necessarily covered by courses in our programme, and is very interesting."

Thoughts on being an international student at Lund and student life  

What it is like to be an international student at Lund University? 

"It is very easy being an international student at Lund University. Lund itself has a high population of international students, so there is a very low chance that you are the only one from your home country. It is very easy to find your way around just knowing English."

Are you involved in any extracurricular activities? 

"I spend a lot of my downtime at Kalmar Nation. I find the student life in Lund is fascinating and is nothing like what I’m used to back home. Becoming active in a nation is a great way to build your social network, and I have met many friends through the nation! If you are unfamiliar with student nations in Lund, they are essentially a student-run volunteer organisation that holds events for other students! For example, I am one of the Novisch Hosts, so I am in charge of creating and organising the events for the new members every semester. I get to meet the new students this way as well, which is great!"

Future Plans 

What are you planning to do after your studies?  

"I want to continue in research and do a PhD after my Master’s. Depending on the positions available I am definitely interested in staying in Sweden, or around Europe!"

To what extent does your degree programme prepare you for a career in your field?  

"I am only a quarter way through my degree, but it has already influenced me to continue with research. I expect by the end of my programme, I will be fully prepared to continue with Astrophysics!"

Tips for prospective students 

Do you have any advice for other students that are considering coming to Lund? 

"I would say go for it! Lund is a great place to study with a bustling community. There is a lot of collaborative research being conducted, and it is overall a great environment to study in!"

Why should prospective students choose this programme? 

"If you really love Astrophysics, this is the programme for you! You will have many opportunities to learn about other research areas through the available seminars, even if you know what you want to specialise in. By working in the same space as the other students and researchers, it is easy to have a conversation and expand your network. If you are interested in observations, it is also possible to have access to the University telescopes as part of your project!"