PhD Astronomy at Harvard University

Programme overview

The Department of Astronomy offers theoretical, observational and experimental doctoral work, with research starting in the first year and access to the Harvard College Observatory, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the twin 6.5-metre Magellan Telescopes in Chile and the MMT in Arizona.

Faculty: Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Astronomy | Duration: Average time to degree is five and a half years; funding is guaranteed for six years | Intake: Application deadline December 1, 2026 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cambridge, MA, United States

What you will study

Research from year one, weekly colloquia and seminars; example dissertations cover millimetre-wavelength observations, black hole accretion disk radiation and the Milky Way.

Career pathways

Graduates hold faculty positions at Berkeley, Dartmouth and Bath, and others work at Boston Consulting Group, Google and Netflix.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme: applicants list their four most advanced astronomy courses and two most advanced mathematics courses (with textbooks and authors). Personal statement: not accepted. GRE General: not accepted; GRE Physics Subject Test optional. Three letters of recommendation are required (at least one from a faculty member at the school of the most recent degree unless out of school for more than five years). English proficiency for non-native speakers: an undergraduate degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, or TOEFL iBT minimum 5 (95 for tests taken before January 21, 2026) with Speaking minimum 4.5, or IELTS Academic minimum 7 with Speaking minimum 6.5. A master's degree does not count as proof. Application deadline December 1, 2026 (5:00 p.m.).

USD 59,048 a year (2026-27). Harvard Griffin GSAS full tuition for PhD students, required for the first two years of study, 2026-27; reduced tuition is $15,352 in years three and four and the continuation fee is $3,906 after year four; PhD students may receive grants covering tuition Source

Intake: Application deadline December 1, 2026

Duration: Average time to degree is five and a half years; funding is guaranteed for six years

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