ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training structure
Faculty of Science
Language(s) of instruction
French
Presentation
This program allows students who have completed a bachelor's degree in physics to specialize in astrophysics over two years, with a view to subsequently pursuing a doctoral degree.
This program offers comprehensive and innovative training in astrophysics, in the form of a joint program between the Master's in Physics at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University and the Master's in Fundamental Physics and Applications at the University of Montpellier.
The first year is specific to each master's program and provides advanced knowledge in fundamental physics as well as an introduction to specialization in astrophysics. The second year is common to both sites and is entirely dedicated to astrophysics.
2017-2020 (4 years): 60% success rate (Lyon + Montpellier cohorts)
Success rate
Objectives
This program mainly prepares students for doctoral studies, enabling them to pursue careers in astrophysics and cosmology research. It is also possible to enter the business world with a master's degree.
Its content broadly covers the theoretical and observational aspects of modern astrophysics, as well as instrumentation and numerical simulations. Part of the teaching is carried out in the form of projects.
Know-how and skills
Upon completion of the Master's program, you will have acquired in-depth knowledge:
- in astrophysics: from cosmology to the formation of planetary systems, stellar physics, the evolution of galaxies, the interstellar medium,
- essential concepts and instrumental and observational methods in astrophysics,
- essential concepts and methods of image processing and data analysis,
- essential concepts and methods of modeling and numerical simulation in astrophysics.
You will be able to apply this knowledge to address research issues in the field.
You will have skills in conducting a research project from defining objectives to writing a scientific report.
You will have developed your ability to work in a team.
Organization
Knowledge assessment
https://mcc.umontpellier.fr/ lists all teaching units (UE) and their assessment methods.
Special facilities
Classes via videoconference, as students are spread across two locations (Lyon and Montpellier).
A week in the field (Haute-Provence observatory)
Internships, supervised projects
Internship | Mandatory |
|---|
Orientation week and project at the Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP)
Group research project
Digital project under the supervision of a researcher
Four-month internship in a research laboratory in France or abroad
Program
The program is organized over two years:
- The first year is shared with the CCP program (M1 Astro-CCP), which, in addition to a solid background in physics, offers an introduction to specialization in astrophysics, cosmology, and particle physics.
-The second year is a joint program with Claude Bernard University in Lyon. Classes are taught either via videoconference (joint classes with the Master's in Physics program at Claude Bernard University-Lyon 1) or on campus (some classes are also joint with the M2 CCP program).
The fourth semester is devoted to a long internship at the end of the program (4 months).
The year is organized into two semesters. Each semester is worth 30 ECTS credits and must be validated independently. There is no inter-semester compensation.

Select a program
M2 - Astrophysics
Formation of Stars and Planetary Systems
6 credits36hEnglish M2 PFA
2 credits21hRadiation Transfer and Stellar Atmospheres
3 credits18hObservational Astrophysics Workshop 2
4 credits30hObservational Cosmology
3 credits18hInterstellar Medium
3 credits18hFormation and Evolution of Galaxies
6 credits36hStellar Structure and Evolution
3 credits18h
M2 Astro Internship
21 creditsAstrophysical Instrumentation
6 credits36hDigital astrophysics project
3 credits
Admission
Registration procedures
Applications can be submitted on the following platforms:
French & European students:
For M2 students, applicants must submit their application via the e-candidat application:https://candidature.umontpellier.fr/candidature
International students from outside the EU: follow the "Études en France" procedure:https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
Target audience
Holders of a bachelor's degree in fundamental physics, or equivalent
Hosting Erasmus and Campus France students.
Mandatory prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in fundamental physics
Recommended prerequisites
Very strong foundation in physics and mathematics
And after
Continuing education
Doctorate
Continuing studies abroad
Yes
Gateways and reorientation
Other courses in the Master's in Fundamental Physics and Applications, Master's in Education.
Professional integration
Between 2017 (creation) and 2020, out of all students (23) who obtained a master's degree in Astrophysics from Lyon-Montpellier, 12 went on to pursue a PhD.
The others have enrolled in another master's program or found a job, and four are looking for a thesis topic (class of 2020).