Degree project

On this page, you will find detailed information about how to complete a thesis project in astronomy at Stockholm University. In astronomy, we offer three thesis options: a 15‑credit project at the undergraduate level (bachelor), and 30‑ or 45‑credit projects at the advanced level (master).

For a full‑time thesis project, the number of term weeks corresponds to the number of credits divided by 1.5. This means 15‑, 30‑, and 45‑credit projects require 10, 20, and 30 term weeks, respectively. The academic year consists of two terms of 20 weeks each, plus a 12‑week summer break. Note that the summer weeks are normaly not counted as part of your allotted project time.

A compiled list of available degree projects and their supervisors will be provided to students ahead of the official start of the degree project period. Students are also welcome to contact representatives from the various research groups at the Department of Astronomy to discuss potential project opportunities.

The independent project at the undergraduate level (15 credits) in astronomy is offered once a year and is studied full time during the second half of the spring semester. You apply for the course by submitting an application for AS6002 Astronomy, Degree Project. If you wish to complete the project at a different study pace or during another period than the regular schedule, you must first contact studieinfo@astro.su.se.

As part of the independent project, you will also take the course module ‘Scientific Ethics,’ where you will learn about the various ethical aspects related to scientific research.

Sign up for the “Science Ethics” course

Each year in January or February, an information meeting is held for students admitted to the spring term thesis project. At this meeting, you receive key information about deadlines, rules, examination, registration, and examples of available projects. It is your responsibility to find both a supervisor and a project, but support is provided throughout the process.

  1. Find a supervisor and a project.
  2. Create a project plan:
    • Together with your supervisor you should write a project plan. This plan should contain a preliminary title, number of credits, name of the supervisor and any assistant supervisor, a short descriptive text, and a preliminary schedule.
  3. Have the project approved by the coordinator for thesis projects in astronomy:
    • You and your supervisour have to schedule a meeting with the coordinator for the degree projects. At the meeting you will togeter go through the project plan and the gradning criteria.
  4. Once the project has been approved by both the supervisor and the coordinator, contact the studieinfo@astro.su.se to be registered for the course in Ladok. Please include the coordinator in the email.

The supervisor for your degree project shall be available during term time while the project is running. You are entitled to at least one hour of supervision per week, although the amount may vary depending on the nature of your work and your individual needs.


Around halfway through the project, you should contact the course coordinator to schedule a follow‑up meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to review your progress, discuss your timeline, and address any questions or challenges that may have arisen.

The examination consists of a written and an oral presentation. When the report has been completed (aproved by the supervisor), a PDF should be sent to the coordinator. Then the date of your presentation is set together with your supervisor and the course coordinator.

Depending on whether you plan to complete a 30‑ or 45‑credit thesis project, you will need to begin at different times within the academic year. A 30‑credit project is commonly carried out during the spring semester, which is typically the final semester of the master’s programme. A 45‑credit project must begin earlier, usually during the autumn semester of your final year. The exact starting date may vary depending on whether you intend to take courses in parallel with the thesis work. Please discuss the appropriate starting time with your project supervisor before you begin.

AS9005 Astronomy, Degree Project, 30 cr

AS9006 Astronomy, Degree Project, 45 cr

Each year in September or October, an information meeting is held for master’s students in astronomy. At this meeting, you receive information about important dates, rules, examination and registration procedures, as well as examples of possible thesis projects. While it is your responsibility to find both a supervisor and a project, support is provided throughout the process.

  1. Find a supervisor and a project.
  2. Create a project plan:
    • Together with your supervisor you should write a project plan. This plan should contain a preliminary title, number of credits, name of the supervisor and any assistant supervisor, a short descriptive text, and a preliminary schedule.
  3. Have the project approved by the coordinator for thesis projects in astronomy:
    • You and your supervisour have to schedule a meeting with the coordinator for the degree projects. At the meeting you will togeter go through the project plan and the gradning criteria.
  4. Once the project has been approved by both the supervisor and the coordinator, contact the studieinfo@astro.su.se to be registered for the course in Ladok. Please include the coordinator in the email.

The supervisor for your degree project shall be available during term time while the project is running. You are entitled to at least one hour of supervision per week, although the amount may vary depending on the nature of your work and your individual needs.


Around halfway through the project, you should contact the course coordinator to schedule a follow‑up meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to review your progress, discuss your timeline, and address any questions or challenges that may have arisen.

The examination consists of a written and an oral presentation. When the report has been completed (aproved by the supervisor), a PDF should be sent to the coordinator. Then the date of your presentation is set together with your supervisor and the course coordinator.

Last updated: 2026-02-09

Source: Department of Astronomy

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