Overview

How long will the Sun shine? How do we discover Earth-like planets among the many exoplanets circling other stars? How did the universe begin and how has it evolved over its 13.8-billion-year history? How do we detect not only light but also gravitational waves from afar? Astronomy is the science that asks and tries to answer questions like these. We have come a long way toward understanding what makes the sky appear as it does and how the Universe behaves.

Students interested in majoring may choose either to be an Astrophysics major, administered jointly with the Physics Department, or an Astronomy major. The Department’s learning objectives and student achievement goals are stated here.

Our students participate broadly in faculty research. In addition, Williams College is a member of the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium, comprised of astronomy faculty and students from eight liberal arts colleges in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states. Among KNAC’s activities are a summer exchange program for astronomy research students and a fall student research symposium. Williams College also participates in the educational aspects of the Zwicky Telescope Facility of Caltech’s Palomar Observatory, which links the 200″, 60″ and 48″ telescopes on Palomar Mountain for time-domain astronomy.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Stars: From Suns to Black Holes

Our Solar Systems and Others

The Milky Way Galaxies

Astrobiology
Astronomical Observing and Data Analysis

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-04 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

North Adams, United States

Disciplines

Physics Astronomy & Space Sciences View 1439 other Bachelors in Physics in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

Other requirements

General requirements

School Report
Counselor Recommendation
Two Teacher Recommendations
Mid-Year Report (Due February 8* or for schools on a trimester, when 2nd trimester grades are available)
$65 Application Fee or Fee Waiver
Early Decision Agreement Form (Early Decision applicants only)
Williams Writing Question: As a residential learning community, Williams believes that some of the most important experiences happen while living and learning alongside those different from oneself. Please describe a time when you learned or grew through the process of interacting with someone whose background, identity, lived experience, or perspective differs from your own. (150-300 words; this question will automatically populate on the Common Application and QuestBridge Application Form)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

72170 USD / year

≈ 72170 USD / year
Out-of-State

72170 USD / year

≈ 72170 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

72170 USD / year

≈ 72170 USD / year

Living costs

North Adams

United States

876 - 1815 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Astrophysics.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

North Adams

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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