BS Astronomy at University of Washington

Programme overview

The Astronomy Department at the University of Washington offers a full curriculum of courses in various fields, including planetary astronomy, stellar structure and evolution, interstellar matter, galactic structure, extragalactic astronomy, observational and theoretical cosmology, and a summer observing course using a 30-inch telescope with modern instrumentation.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Astronomy | Duration: 87-91 credits | Location: Seattle, WA, United States

What you will study

87-91 credits; ASTR 300, ASTR 322 and ASTR 323; plus one of either ASTR 321 or ASTR 324.; 9 graded credits of astronomy 400-level courses. Data analysis (ASTR 480) and senior-year research (ASTR 499) are highly recommended for students planning graduate work.; PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142, PHYS 143); PHYS 224, PHYS 225, PHYS 226, PHYS 227, PHYS 321, PHYS 322, PHYS 334; Mathematics (21-25 credits) complete one of the following:; MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants are considered in two groups - Currently Enrolled UW Students and Entering Transfers. Currently Enrolled UW Students Minimum requirements for consideration: PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123 (or transfer equivalent; may be presently enrolled in PHYS 123). Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for physics courses. Either MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136 (or full transfer equivalent; may be presently enrolled in MATH 126 or MATH 136). Standard admission is twice a year. Application deadlines: April 5 for autumn quarter and October 5 for spring quarter. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission is capacity constrained, based on holistic review of a student's record as follows: Academic performance to include review of overall GPA and content of all courses completed; frequency of incompletes or withdrawals and number of repeated courses; ...

Domestic applicants: USD 12,664 a year (2026-27). Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and fac Source

International applicants: USD 44,580 a year (2026-27). Non-Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and Source

First-year entry quarters: Autumn (begins late September), Winter (begins early January; not open to international first-year applicants), Summer (begins mid-June; most degree-seeking students apply for Autumn). Spring quarter is not open to first-year applicants.

Transfer entry: Autumn and Summer quarters; Spring quarter transfer admission is open only to applicants to specific departments in engineering and computer science.

First-year applications for Autumn (and Summer) open August 15 and close November 15; notification March 1-15. Winter applications open August 1 and close September 1, with notification in November and December. The UW does not offer early decision or early action. Apply through the Common App.

First-year application fee is $85 for U.S. students (fee waivers available) and $95 for international students (no fee waivers). Application requires a Common App essay and a self-reported academic record in STARS. SAT/ACT scores are not required for most applicants; homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools without letter or numeric grades must submit SAT or ACT scores. International applicants submit TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting the minimum English proficiency requirement.

Transfer applications for Autumn and Summer open December 15 and close February 28; notification May 1 to June 30. Transfer application fee is $85 (U.S., fee waivers available) or $95 (international, no fee waivers). SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/

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